Car Accidents

Car Accidents

Car Accident Attorneys Columbus OH

Car Accident Attorneys Columbus OH

Car accidents can result in serious or catastrophic injuries and death. We handle such claims every day. We have handled hundreds of death cases, sadly. But our experience is immense. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident, the attorneys at Kitrick, Lewis & Staley-Sladek are highly qualified to help during this traumatic time.

Collectively, we have more than 80 years of experience litigating motor vehicle accidents. We aggressively go after the  responsible or liable party or parties so that you can focus on recovery, and we fight tirelessly so that you receive fair compensation.

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  • I have always been reluctant in dealing with attorneys but in this case my wife and I were pleasantly surprised. We had been dealing with three separate companies in regards to a claim and for over seven months kept getting the run around. After one meeting and speaking with Mark Kitrick he felt like we had a very legitimate claim. He preceded to draft a letter to all of the companies involved and within a short period of time the claim was resolved. Everyone that we met at the firm was professional. We appreciate everything they did for us. We would highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of legal help.
    Paul G.

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Automobile Accident Injury Claims

The Toll of Car Accidents Nationwide

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the numbers behind car accidents are sobering:

  • An estimated 39,345 people died in traffic crashes nationwide in 2024.
  • That is a 3.8 percent decrease from the 40,901 fatalities recorded in 2023.
  • It is the first time since 2020 that the annual death toll fell below 40,000.
  • An estimated 2.44 million people were injured on U.S. roadways in the same period.

That decline is real progress. But it is a cold comfort if you are recovering from a crash, and Ohio families account for a significant share of both total numbers every year.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Every accident is unique, but in the vast majority someone is to blame. Our attorneys can review your accident to determine whether you should take legal action. We have handled over 10,000 accident cases and we have written and lectured about many of the issues involved.

Drunk Driving

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • 37 people die every day in the United States in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver – one death every 39 minutes.
  • Alcohol-impaired crashes account for roughly a third of all traffic deaths.

Fatigue and Distracted Driving

Ohio made handheld phone use while driving a primary offense under R.C. 4511.204. This means that an officer can pull over a driver for texting or scrolling, without any other violation required. We continue to give lectures on distracted driving in order to try to prevent others from being injured or killed, as the law has changed the penalty but not the temptation. Other common distractions include:

  • Simple driver fatigue on long trips
  • Eating, drinking, or grooming behind the wheel
  • Programming a navigation system while driving

Reckless Driving

Every day, reckless drivers speed or drive too fast for the conditions. Speeding contributes to nearly three out of ten traffic deaths nationwide last year, posing serious threats to motorists who do nothing wrong.

Determining Fault After a Car Accident in Ohio

Ohio’s Comparative Negligence Rule

Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule under R.C. 2315.33:

  • If you are found 50 percent or less at fault, you can still recover damages, though the amount is reduced by your share of fault.
  • Cross the 51 percent threshold, and Ohio law bars recovery entirely.

Insurance adjusters know this rule well. They often push a disproportionate amount of blame onto the injured driver in order to reduce or eliminate the payout.

Evidence That Can Shift Fault in Your Favor

  • Police accident reports
  • Surveillance footage
  • Witness statements
  • Accident reconstruction analysis

An early investigation matters because this kind of evidence can disappear quickly.

Securing Compensation

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists

If you are injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you have the right to expect compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

  • Tort claim: Your costs are generally covered by the at-fault driver’s insurance.
  • The problem: Many drivers carry only the minimum liability coverage required by Ohio law, commonly referred to in the industry as 25/50/25 coverage. This may not cover all your losses.
  • Contract claim: Under R.C. 3937.18, insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on Ohio auto policies. However, a policyholder may reject this coverage in writing. If you have UM/UIM coverage, we suggest that you purchase it to protect your family. We can make a claim against your insurer to cover the balance of your losses if you have this coverage.

This area of law is highly complex, and most people do not understand the nature and extent of these types of cases. Ohio lawmakers have introduced legislation that would make UM coverage mandatory statewide and raise the state’s minimum liability limits, but, as of this writing, that proposal has not become law. The choice to carry adequate coverage still falls on the driver.

Types of Compensation You May Recover

A car accident claim in Ohio can involve more than a single check for vehicle repairs. Depending on the severity of your injuries, compensation may include:

  • Medical treatment and future care
  • Lost income and diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage and out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation to appointments
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement, in the most serious cases
  • Wrongful death damages available to surviving family members in a fatal crash

Every case is different. The value of a claim depends heavily on the facts. That’s why we build each case around specific losses our clients have actually suffered, rather than using a generic formula.

Ohio’s Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Claim

Ohio law sets strict deadlines for taking legal action:

  • Personal injury claims: Two years from the date of the crash, under R.C. 2305.10.
  • Wrongful death claims: Two years from the date of death, under R.C. 2125.02.

Two years can feel like a long time right after an accident. But building a strong case requires months of gathering medical records, accident reports, expert opinions, and insurance negotiations that can drag on long after the point where filing a lawsuit becomes the only option.

  • From the moment I walked into Mark Kitrick’s office until the day my case was settled, I was impressed by the high degree of professionalism he demonstrated and grateful for the compassion he showed. The way he managed my case was simply outstanding. Mark Kitrick was able to successfully handle a complex situation that involved litigation in two states. In the process, he made a heartbreaking situation more bearable.
    Jean W.

Why Choose Kitrick, Lewis & Staley-Sladek

Our firm is focused solely on cases involving:

  • Serious personal injury and wrongful death claims
  • Bad products
  • Malpractice cases
  • Consumer class actions

We do not cover every area of law, but that focus is deliberate. This allows us to stay current with Ohio’s negligence and insurance laws as they change. It also means that the attorney reviewing your case has actually dealt with cases like yours before.

We understand how overwhelming it can be to suffer a serious injury or tragic death, and then navigate the confusing legal system. We are here for you from the start, working hard to ensure you receive close personal attention. This kind of service sets us apart from other law firms.

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Contact Us Today

If a car accident has turned your life upside down or taken someone you loved, contact Kitrick, Lewis & Staley-Sladek for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will look at what happened, explain your options clearly, and tell you truthfully whether we think legal action is the best course of action.

Common Car Accident FAQs

Check yourself and any passengers for injuries and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention. Move to a safe location if the vehicles are drivable, and exchange names, addresses, and insurance information with the other driver. Photograph the vehicles, the surrounding scene, and any visible injuries before evidence disappears, and avoid discussing fault with the other driver or their insurance company.

Ohio law requires the operator of a vehicle involved in a crash to stop and exchange information under R.C. 4549.02. When a crash results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding a set threshold, officers typically respond and file formal reports. Even if a report is not required, having one on file makes it easier to support insurance claims or lawsuits later.

You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim under R.C. 2305.10 and two years after the death of a person to file a claim for wrongful death under R. C. 2125.02. It is best to consult with an attorney before either of these deadlines approaches, as insurance negotiations can take time.

You can still recover compensation under Ohio’s modified comparative negligence rule, R.C. 2315.33, as long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you are barred from recovering anything if you are found to be 51 percent or more at fault. Because insurers often try to shift the blame onto the injured driver, it is helpful to have an attorney collect evidence early.

This is where your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage comes in. Under R.C. 3937.18, you can make a claim against your insurer to cover the difference between the at-fault driver’s insurance and your actual losses, provided that you did not refuse UM/UIM insurance when you purchased your policy. We will review your policy to determine what coverage is available to you.

It depends on the severity of your injuries, how clear the liability is, and whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate in good faith. Simple claims with clear liability can be resolved in a matter of months, but serious injury or wrongful death cases often take longer, as we wait until we know the full extent of your medical treatment and future needs before settling. If there is no fair settlement on the table, we will take your case to court.

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