Vehicle Accidents

The much-touted Google self-driving car is in the news again, and the company recently unveiled a prototype. The cartoonish-looking vehicle comes sans steering wheel or pedals. According to Google, it is extremely easy to navigate and has a maximum speed of 25 mph.  The car comes with two buttons — one for “start” and one for “off.”  Google insists that the prototype is based on a design that prioritizes safety and that the car comes with sensors that eliminate the risk of accidents involving other vehicles in a motorist’s blind spot.

Ohio’s dram shop act may allow the family of a driver killed by a drunk driver in Cleveland to hold the establishment that sold alcohol to the drunk driver liable. This allows the family to pursue damages from not only the drunk driver in a wrongful death claim and survival action, but also the establishment. Of course, there are certain criteria that the dram shop liability claim must prove in order to hold a bar liable for a patron’s drunk driving accident.

If the other driver involved in the accident in Cleveland is responsible for the collision, he is liable for paying the cost of repair expenses. If he has insurance, his insurance company will pay for the repairs or vehicle replacement. If the other driver does not possess insurance however, you may resort to filing a claim with your own insurance company to fix the damage or replace the vehicle.  That, of course, depends on whether you have accident coverage on your car, which is typically collision coverage. You may also choose to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if he doesn’t have insurance.

As you consider your options to recover compensation, consider how an insurance company values a totaled car, and whether it will declare a car a total loss in the first place.

You don’t expect the car that you use to commute every day to suffer from brake flaws, headlight problems, ignition system defects, and other defects that could increase the risk of a car accident. Owners of General Motors (GM) vehicles are bracing for more recalls after the company recently announced several this year that affected millions of cars.

It seems so simple. All you do is file a claim after a car accident and wait to be compensated. While that might be true in a minor crash, there are different factors that can affect the outcome in a more serious collision.  Adding to the complexity are some of the pre-conceived myths you may hold that could ultimately end up hurting your possibility for a successful car accident claim.

Media attention has been focused on General Motors over the past months, as it continues to face further investigation and pending lawsuits over its failure to recall cars with faulty ignition systems. The switches can automatically turn off the engine of the car and prevent the deployment of airbags. GM has since begun a recall.  Although this issue has yet to be resolved, another General Motors issued another recall, this time involving SUVs and a faulty fuel gauge.

Confusion is commonplace after car accidents. Drivers may wonder what to do, who to call, and whether they have to report their accident, and to whom. Drivers are not required to directly inform the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) of their accident. However, if in an accident with an uninsured driver, the other driver may report the crash to the BMV. The BMV may then suspend the other driver’s driving privileges if the driver is in fact uninsured.

In 2012, there were 12,308 car accidents in Cleveland, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Most serious car accidents result in auto insurance claims. The car insurance claim process includes many steps, and claimants should keep certain things about how the auto insurance business works in mind to have a successful claim.

The length of time it takes to settle a car accident claim varies from one case to another. It could range anywhere from a month to several months or even longer. However, there are certain factors that oftentimes affect the outcome.  Car accident settlements can be very complex, especially if you received medical treatment for injuries.  Before you settle your case, you should speak with a knowledgeable attorney to discuss a potential settlement.  

An insurance company’s settlement offer should account for all of your economic and noneconomic damages, both past, current, and future, related to the accident. If it does not, then you should generally not accept it, though certain factors may weigh on whether you should accept the offer.  This might include your ability to establish the other party’s fault, any fault you hold for the accident, and more. If you suffered serious injuries and a significant amount of damages, talk to your attorney before accepting any settlement offer.