Parma Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents are devastating events that can cause life-altering physical and emotional injuries. If you have suffered a serious injury in an auto collision, contact the Parma car accident lawyers at Elk & Elk. Our Parma personal injury attorneys are committed to helping car accident victims and their families hold wrongdoers accountable and obtain full compensation for their losses.
Why Choose Us
- We have more than five decades of legal experience successfully representing injured accident victims. Our attorneys know how to handle auto accident cases.
- Our attorneys have obtained some of the largest verdicts and settlements in Ohio and nearby states. We have recovered over $1 billion for our clients.
- Our law firm has offices conveniently located throughout Ohio, including in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Akron and Dayton.
- We operate using a no-fee promise, meaning you won’t pay your car accident lawyer for his or her services out of pocket, win or lose.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Parma, Ohio
In 2019, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported 1,155 deaths in traffic accidents. These fatalities included 128 pedestrians and 160 motorcyclists. At Elk & Elk, we know most car accidents are not accidents. They are incidents that can be avoided with an appropriate amount of care behind the wheel. Driver error is the most common cause of car accidents in Parma.
Common driver mistakes that cause car accidents are:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Reckless driving
- Texting and driving
- Driver inattention
- Red-light running
- Failing to yield
- Illegal turns
- Unsafe lane changes
In addition to driver errors, other common causes of car accidents in Ohio are defective vehicle parts, roadway defects, crossing animals and bad weather. An attorney can help you determine the cause of your car accident with a thorough investigation.
Is Ohio a Fault or No-Fault State?
The insurance laws in the state where your car accident takes place will affect your injury claim. Most states, including Ohio, use traditional tort-based insurance systems. In a tort-based or fault-based state, the party that caused the collision will be financially responsible for losses through his or her insurance coverage. All drivers in Ohio must maintain minimum amounts of auto insurance to pay for accidents.
To recover compensation through an insurance claim in Ohio, you or your car accident lawyer must prove the other party is at fault for the collision. This may require evidence such as photographs, a police report and medical records. The burden of proof in a car accident case is enough evidence to convince the jury that the defendant was at least 50 percent at fault.
If an insurance company wrongfully denies your claim or tries to delay an investigation without a valid reason, an attorney can help you fight for a fair outcome. Your Parma car accident lawyer can negotiate a settlement while you focus on healing. An insurance company is more likely to take you seriously if you hire an attorney.
When Is the Deadline for Filing?
You must adhere to a strict deadline known as a statute of limitations when filing a car accident claim in Ohio. Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10 places a maximum time limit of two years from the date of injury for a victim to file a claim, with some exceptions. If you wait to file until after the statute of limitations has expired, the courts in Parma will most likely refuse to take your case. It is critical to speak to an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident.
Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer in Parma, OH Today
A car accident can put your life on pause. You may not know where to turn for answers or the financial compensation you need to move forward. The Parma, Ohio car accident attorneys at Elk & Elk can help you and your family during this difficult time. Discuss your case in detail with one of our attorneys today. Request a free consultation online or by calling 1-800-ELK-OHIO (1-800-355-6446).