Akron Car Accident Lawyers

Akron & Summit County Car Accidents

Nearly 14,000 crashes occur annually in Summit County, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety.  More than 3,000 result in injuries. While most Akron car accidents are avoidable if not for the negligence or recklessness of another person. Read more about Akron car accident statistics.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Akron, OH

Identifying the cause of your Akron car accident makes it much easier to determine who was responsible. Because Ohio is an at-fault state, as the victim, you must prove that someone else is liable for your injuries to recover compensation.

Car accidents in Akron are often caused by:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driving while drowsy
• Obstacles in the roadway
• Reckless driving
• Striking a pedestrian
• Falling asleep at the wheel

Common Injuries From Akron Car Accidents

Whether an accident involves a head-on collision or a minor fender bender, passengers and drivers can sustain any number of injuries. In extreme cases, an injury can result in permanent injuries or chronic conditions, such as paralysis, permanent nerve damage, or even death.

Injuries commonly sustained in car accidents include:

• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Internal Bleeding
• Cognitive deficits
• Spinal cord injuries
• Memory loss
• Back injuries

What to Do After a Car Accident in Akron, Ohio?

The steps you make early on after a car accident could make all the difference in the outcome. Start by staying at the scene of the accident if you can and move your vehicle, so you are not interfering with traffic or putting yourself or others at risk of further injury.

Be sure to contact emergency responders as soon as possible. While you wait for them to arrive, you can gather valuable evidence that could be used to support your case and prove fault.

After your medical evaluation, contact an Akron car accident attorney as soon as possible. Your accident attorney can help you with the insurance company, proving liability, calculating your damages, and more. One of the first pieces of evidence to obtain will be copies of your car accident report.

You can get your accident report here or by visiting the Akron police department in Akron. Your accident report will contain valuable information to support your case, including:

• Details about vehicle damage
• Witness statements
• The location, time, and date of the car accident
• Weather conditions were at the time of the accident
• A diagram of the Akron car accident
• Any violations or criminal offenses
• The officer’s assessment of fault
• The insurance and contact information of all involved parties

At KNR, our car crash lawyers know accident scenes are chaotic, and you may not have had the chance to complete some of these steps if you’re injured. But there is still a lot a lawyer for car accidents can do, and you should still get a free consultation.

Fault, Negligence & Liability for Akron Car Accidents

Some of the more common causes of auto collisions in Akron include:

• Drunk driving
• Drugged driving
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Speeding
• Following too closely
• Failure to yield or stop
• Making illegal turns
• Aggressive driving
• Dangerous weather conditions
• Hazardous roadways
• Wildlife

Who Is Liable For Your Akron Car Accident?

How your car accident happened will give your accident lawyer a better understanding of liability. For example, if negligent driving was the cause of your car accident, the negligent driver and their insurance company could be held accountable. However, if drunk driving played a part in your accident, a local bar could be partially liable if the person was over-served.

Defective car parts can also lead to a collision. Parties that may share liability for an auto effect are:

• Motor vehicle parts designers and manufacturers
• Motor vehicle parts distributors and suppliers
• Motor vehicle dealerships and retailers
• Safety inspectors and maintenance technicians

How to Prove Negligence for an Akron Car Crash

To prove your right to damages following a car accident in Akron, your car accident attorney will need to show the elements of negligence have been met as follows:

• The defendant in your case owed you a duty of care
• The defendant somehow breached their duty of care through recklessness or a failure to act in a way that another reasonable person would
• The defendant’s breach was the cause of your car accident and resulting injuries
• You suffered injuries or damages that you can be awarded compensation for due to the defendant’s breach in their duty of care

Filing a Car Accident Claim or Lawsuit in Akron

After your car accident, you will generally file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company. This is almost always true unless you file a claim with your insurer because the other driver lacked insurance, and you have UIM coverage.

Whether you pursue a claim or lawsuit, the accident will be investigated, and your injuries will be assessed. This means collecting evidence, filing documents, moving through t discovery, negotiating, and sometimes presenting your case at trial. And while resolving car accident cases in court is rare, the evidence should show the other party at fault for the accident and your losses.

Akron Car Accident FAQs

It is common for accident victims to have many unanswered questions. With this in mind, we have answered some of the most asked questions regarding car accident claims in Akron below. If you have additional questions, contact our office for a free consultation.

How Will Our Akron Car Accident Attorneys Help?

The Akron car accident attorneys at Kisling, Nestico & Redick will handle all the legal details, so your case moves as smoothly and quickly as possible. Some of the top ways we serve those hurt in car accidents include:

We Investigate & Collect Evidence

Your accident attorney will show that another party is responsible for causing your car accident injuries. Some types of evidence to support your case could include:

• Witness statements
• Affidavits
• Testimony from experts
• Police sound crash reports
• Testimony from the responding police officer
• Photos and videos of your injuries and the accident scene
• Medical records
• Financial records
• Cell phone records
• Chemical blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results

Identify Liability

Figuring out who is responsible is our top priority. Our thorough investigation will uncover all responsible parties so you can be compensated fairly for your damages. After all, it is more common than you might think for multiple parties to share fault in a car accident claim. Pursuing legal action across all avenues may be the best way to get the most out of your claim.

Negotiate With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies rarely advocate for your best interests. Instead, they are focused on furthering their own financial interests. Our team of car accident lawyers will fight for the compensation and insurance settlement you are entitled to. We will ensure the insurance company honors their financial obligation so you recover the damages you deserve.

Bring Your Case to Trial (When Necessary)

Sometimes, filing a claim with the insurance company is not possible. Other times, insurance settlements are not enough to adequately meet your needs. In either case, it may be in your best interests to bring your case to trial, and our team will be prepared to do so.

Other firms lack real trial experience but not KNR. Our car accident trial lawyers know the local courts and will aggressively advocate for total compensation so you can begin to move forward with your life. Our team will work tirelessly to ensure the at-fault party is held accountable.