Ohio’s comparative fault laws can make multiple parties liable for a car accident involving more than one vehicle. Understanding these laws can help you determine who was at fault for an accident and how much compensation you may recover.
Call Young, Reverman & Bolotin today at 513-400-0000 to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer.
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Who Is Responsible for Paying Damages in a Multi-Car Accident in Ohio?
According to recent data, the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated 13,834 crashes in a recent year. Many of these accidents involve multiple cars and, subsequently, multiple potentially liable parties.
Ohio operates under comparative fault laws, which means that more than one party can share fault for an accident. This is different from contributory negligence, and it also differs from no-fault laws, which would require individuals to file a claim with their own insurers to recover compensation.
Because of Ohio fault laws, many people and entities could be liable in multi-car accident claims, including:
Drivers
Other drivers are often liable for multi-car accidents, such as operators of cars, trucks, or motorcycles that contribute to a pile-up or another type of collision.
Vehicle Owners
While drivers are often vehicle owners, they could be separately responsible for an accident if someone else is driving the vehicle. For example, they could fail to properly maintain their vehicles or may knowingly allow someone to operate their vehicle who is too impaired or otherwise unqualified to drive.
Trucking Companies and Other Employers
Employers of drivers may also be liable for accidents in different ways, such as through the failure to maintain fleet vehicles or negligent hiring practices, leading them to employ unqualified drivers. Employers could also require delivery drivers to reach their destination within a time that’s unreasonable, encouraging the driver to operate the vehicle recklessly and speed.
Manufacturers
A manufacturer could be liable for defective vehicles or individual parts, including parts with defective design or manufacturing. Faulty products can easily cause car accidents, resulting in recalls.
Mechanics
Other liable individuals may include mechanics who fail to properly service vehicles. For instance, they may neglect to identify or diagnose existing issues or implement the right fix.
Local, State, or Federal Governments
If poor road conditions are responsible for an accident, government agencies might be responsible for the accident. Potholes, cracks, and other conditions need regular maintenance to keep roadways in good condition.
Road Workers
Leaving equipment behind, failing to put up proper signage indicating road work, and other instances of negligence could make road workers liable for a multi-car accident.
Pedestrians
If a pedestrian fails to cross at designated crossings or otherwise exhibits negligence to cause an accident, he or she may be liable.
How Ohio’s Fault Laws Impact Your Claim
Ohio uses comparative fault to determine negligence in a car accident case. Using this model, every individual involved in the accident could carry a percentage of responsibility for the accident based on the degree of shared negligence.
Generally, as long as an individual is no more than 50% liable for an accident, he or she can seek compensation for damages sustained because of others’ negligence. For instance, the state may determine that someone was 30% liable for a multi-car accident, while another driver is 60% responsible, and another is 10% liable. In this instance, the driver with 30% liability and the other with 10% liability would be able to recover compensation in an accident case.
So, how are car accident settlements calculated in Ohio? The answer will depend on the degree of comparative negligence, along with additional factors, including the extent of the injuries and related damages sustained.
Why You Need a Lawyer to Navigate Multi-Car Accident Claims in Ohio
To succeed with a multi-car accident claim or lawsuit, it’s important to have a car accident lawyer by your side.
The following are a few benefits of working with a lawyer:
- Determine liability based on who was responsible for the accident.
- Calculate the compensation you’re able to recover based on the types of car accident injuries you sustained and subsequent damages.
- Negotiate a settlement with insurers to recover total compensation.
- Walk you through what happens if you lose a car accident lawsuit, which could entail going through the appeals process.
Ultimately, experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers can be the key to helping you succeed with a claim or suit.To learn how the attorneys at Young, Reverman & Bolotin may be able to assist you, contact us today to speak with a member of our legal team in a free consultation.
