DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENTS
Auto Accident Attorney
investigating drunk driving accident cases
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each day in the United States 28 people die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. Alcohol-impaired crashes account for nearly one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. The cost of lives is immense and the estimated financial cost of drunk driving crashes totals more than $44 billion.
The problem continues to worsen, with more deaths reported year-on-year. Each day, people drive drunk more than 300,000 times, but only about 2,800 are arrested. In 2016, over 10,000 people were killed in alcohol-impaired accidents, according to the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Anyone involved in a road accident caused in-part by alcohol abuse may have a claim against those responsible for resulting injuries or deaths. The costs of a drunk driving accident may deeply affect a victim and a family, and taking legal action may alleviate financial hardships. Following a serious road accident, victims should contact an experienced lawyer to investigate and file drunk driving lawsuits.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated and experienced Ohio personal injury attorney representing plaintiffs in drunk driving lawsuits nationwide. The Lyon Firm is well-versed in the science and economic impact such an injury or death has on the victim’s life and family.
Alcohol Related Auto Accidents
Drunk driving deaths recorded in Ohio over the last decade are higher than the national average, and over 2 percent of Ohio residents have reported that they have driven after drinking too much in the last month.
In the United States the legal alcohol and driving limit is .08 percent, particularly because at this blood/alcohol level there is a proven risk of causing serious and fatal harm to others on the road. Alcohol reduces the function of the brain, impairs thinking, basic reasoning and muscle coordination—all important abilities essential to operating a vehicle safely.
As alcohol levels rise in a person’s system, the negative effects on the central nervous system increase. Below are some examples of how just a small amount of alcohol in the system can affect drivers:
- .02—some loss of judgment; altered mood—decline in visual functions, divided attention.
- .05—may have loss of small-muscle control, focusing eyes, impaired judgment, lowered alertness, reduced coordination, reduced ability to track moving objects, difficulty steering.
- .08—muscle coordination becomes poor, more difficult to detect danger; judgment, self-control, reasoning are impaired, reduced concentration, impaired perception.
- .10—clear deterioration of reaction time and control, poor coordination, and slowed thinking, reduced ability to maintain lane position and brake appropriately.
- .15—far less muscle control than normal, major loss of balance, substantial impairment in vehicle control, attention to driving task, and in necessary visual and auditory information processing.
Drunk Driving Lawsuits
Ohio laws forbid bartenders and wait staff from serving alcohol unless they are certified, and prohibit bar and restaurant staff from over-serving when patrons appear impaired.
If an establishment serves a patron who is already drunk, drives from the premises and causes an accident, the serving establishment may in part be liable for damages or resulting injuries. Preventing drunk driving is essential to protecting American lives. Below are some steps that may make Ohio roadways safer:
- Make sure those you serve alcohol are not driving
- If you will be drinking, plan a safe ride home. Designate a sober driver or take taxis.
- If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person drive. Be responsible and take their keys.
- If you see an impaired driver on roads, contact local law enforcement.
- If you host a party where alcohol is served, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.
- Always wear your seat belt as a defense against impaired drivers.
Drunk Driving Accident Injuries
Drunk driving accidents can cause serious injuries and end lives. If a drunk driver injured you operating a car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, boat, they may face criminal charges, and also be liable for the costs of medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, or wrongful death. Civil lawsuits may be filed against those responsible for impaired-driving accidents.
Following an accident, and after proper medical treatment, you are advised to contact an experienced lawyer. A professional attorney will be able to investigate crashes, and provide a victim and their family with the resources they need to prepare for legal action.
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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM
Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.
The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.
NO COST UNLESS WE WIN
The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.
Why are these cases important?
In the immediate aftermath of serious car accidents, victims are often injured and wondering about the cause of the crash, how they will pay for damages and medical costs, and how to recover compensation for lost wages and pain and suffering. After all injuries are treated by medical professionals, it is critical to start building a personal injury case with an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer.
CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY
Regardless of the cause of car accidents, victims deserve representation in order to help recover losses, and to identify the liable parties involved. Car accidents may be the result of defective auto components, negligent motorists, poor road conditions or poor road design, among other risk factors.
A motor vehicle accident suit holds parties responsible for the injuries and damage caused, as well as alerting companies or insitutions of any necessary risks that may have caused the accident.
The process involves preserving evidence of the collision, getting witness testimony, and hiring accident experts to determine who was responsible for the auto accident.
Since most auto insurance policies are not capable of compensating someone injured in a catastrophic accident, it is advisable to contact and hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to properly investigate the case.
There are numerous causes of auto accidents on Ohio’s roadways, including driver negligence, driver fatigue, distracted drivers, driving and texting, poor road conditions, and unsafe highway design. Regardless of the primary cause of a car accident, it is important to investigate with experienced accident reconstruction experts and contact a Cincinnati Auto Accident Attorney to weigh your legal options.
One safety study concluded that negligent highway design and conditions are a factor in more than half the fatal crashes in the United States. Some common design flaws may include:
- Sharp Turns
- Poor Road Maintenance
- Blind Spots
- Poorly lit roadways
- Poor Signage
- Unsafe on and off ramps
- Excessive speed limit
- Narrow shoulder or no shoulder
Distracted Driving
Times have changed in recent years with so many drivers looking at their phones. Texting and driving is a huge issue, and even as it’s illegal, the problem persists. The number one cause of car accidents involve distracted motorists that divert their attention from the road. Drivers may talking on a phone, sending a text message, adjusting the radio or eating food. Any distraction for a few seconds can be the difference between a safe trip and an accident.
Driver Error
Whether a simple mind lapse that results in a driving mistake, or ignoring a traffic law, driver error is a leading cause of road accidents. Common driver errors are failing to signal a turn, drifting into a different lane, cutting off drivers, ignoring road signs, following too close, speeding, and failing to stop at signals.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Excessive speeding increases the risk of a traffic accident dramatically. As driver increase the rate of travel they significantly decrease their ability to adjust to traffic and other objects in the road. The faster a driver travels, the less stopping distance they will have.
Reckless driving includes unsafe lane changes, improper turns, tailgating, and racing.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Drivers under the influence of alcohol cause many car accidents every day. Almost a third (30 percent) of fatal car accidents in the U.S. are alcohol-related. Also, drug-related accidents are common. Even as states crack down on drunk driving, the number of drivers who drink and drive still present a problem. Victims of drunk driving accidents are likely to settle valuable cases.
Ignoring Traffic Signals
Negligent drivers run red lights and stop signs, and thereby risk causing accidents. Running red lights often causes high-speed side-impact collisions, which are particularly dangerous. Drivers in a hurry are some of the most dangerous motorists on the road.
Teen Driving Accidents
Young drivers and teenagers lack road experience and pose a serious risk. Teen drivers cause many car accidents, and drivers aged 16-20 kill nearly 8,000 people each year. Driver training and support is integral to creating a safer atmosphere on Ohio roads.
Ohio Driver Fatigue Accidents
It’s not only truck drivers that drive while extremely tired. There are a lot of drivers on the road that have sleep disorders, or have a changing work schedule that inhibits their driving ability. Many drivers on the road in Ohio are often too tired to properly operate their vehicle. They make poor driving decisions and create dangerous situations.
Road Rage Accidents
Road rage and aggressive driving can easily lead to an accident. If you observe a driver visibly upset, you are encouraged to keep a distance. If you tend to get angry with other motorists, remember that nothing good can come of driving more aggressively or speeding up to catch another driver in traffic.
Dangerous Ohio Roads
City authorities have a duty to clear roads of debris and snow and other materials. If an auto accident occurs due to city officials failing to create safe roads, a municipality can be held liable. Roads may also be unsafe due to poor road design and traffic signal placement. Contact The Lyon Firm if you suspect an Ohio road of being particularly dangerous. You may save the life of another Ohio motorist.
Unsafe Road Work
Work zones are very dangerous for both workers and drivers. Many work zones are poorly marked, poorly manned, and uneven pavement can easily cause an accident. Many road construction contractors fail to provide a safe driving environment, and any road work accident can be investigated following a collision.
Failure to Yield
Many roads are only as safe the drivers and traffic flow. When drivers fail to yield to cars or trucks, a collision can occur, leading to serious injury. All drivers must pay attention to all signage and yield to traffic, particularly on highway ramps.
Ohio Uber Accidents
Rideshare companies have produced a great deal of drivers who may be in a hurry to pick up fares, and can be overworked as well. Uber accidents and Lyft accidents are more and more common. Victims of rideshare and taxi accidents may have good accident claims against negligent drivers.
Ohio Pedestrian Accidents
With more distracted drivers come more pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians have a right to cross the street, and yet this has become a hazardous exercise. Crosswalk accidents and School Zone accidents can be severely dangerous and deadly.
Ohio Cycling Accidents
Ohio Cyclists have a right to share all roads except for freeways, but many drivers do not respect bicycles on the road. Cycling accidents should be investigated, as many motorists are guilty of aggressive driving around bicycles.
Some common injuries include the following:
Auto Accident Settlements
The Lyon Firm aggressively, professionally, and passionately advocates for injured individuals and families against negligent individuals or companies to obtain just compensation under the law.
DISTRACTED DRIVER
$1,000,000
(Brown County, Kentucky): Joseph Lyon was second chair a case involving a driver texting and driving when he crossed the median, killing a father of four. The case was resolved once discovery confirmed the cell phone records proved the texting-related incident. The settlement will pay for the surviving childrens’ education. The driver was likely facing additional criminal charges at the time of the settlement.
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
$495,000
(Cincinnati, Ohio): Joe Lyon was lead counsel in a $495,000 settlement. The case involved a motorcycle operator who sustained fractures of the calcaneus, talus, medial cuneiform, tarsal bones, and tarsometatarsal when a car ignored its driving lane and crossed into his right-of-way. Settlement provided repayment of medical bills of $20,000 and funds for future education to re-enter the work force in a less physically-demanding job.
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