Chester Law Group Co., LPA | Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer Says New 2009 Ohio Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics Highlight Need For Careful Driving and Consultation With Experienced Ohio Car Accident Lawyers

Recently released data from the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) reveal the alarming number of Ohioans who are being killed in auto and motorcycle accidents, even given better safety standards and state efforts to reduce such deaths.

The statistics reveal that in 2009, 1,028 people died in 952 separate auto accidents in Ohio.  There were 163 motorcycle deaths in 158 separate crashes.  Alcohol related deaths in 2009 totaled 320 in Ohio.  Add to these deaths the many more non-fatal catastrophic injuries, and you are beginning to see the big picture.

What is surprising to many Ohioans is that over the years many fatalities and serious injuries occur in rural areas with low relative numbers of residents, such as Belmont County, Carroll County, Harrison County, Jefferson County, Columbiana County, etc. This is most likely because of the rural roads, large trucks traveling on these “rural” roads, such as food, steel and coal trucks, and the high speeds traveled on these roads.  The statistics show that no matter where you are in Ohio, a serious or fatal auto accident is a distinct possibility.  Also, not all fatal accidents occur at high speeds, which is often the case in truck to car accidents. The massive weight of the truck can kill the car passengers at relatively low speeds.   
 
While the numbers given above are on the decline, it is probably due to a bad economy with resulting less driving by all Ohioans.  However the numbers do illustrate that serious injuries and deaths occur more than people think.  In these serious collisions an experienced Ohio car accident lawyer is needed to protect the rights of family members after the tragedy. 
 
After such serious injuries or deaths, dealing with the insurance company can be especially difficult and stressful. Who wants to be worried about collecting witness statements and crash scene evidence gathering when a loved one is deceased or in the intensive care unit. In these situations, it is often left to close family to deal with the insurance companies. It is usually the farthest thing from anyone’s mind. However, delays in action can cost financially down the road, and it is important to arm yourselves with as much information as soon as possible so you understand the land mine field that is the personal injury process.  Even if you don’t hire a lawyer right away, someone has to get the vital information to allow you to protect the legacy of your loved one and help guarantee a  brighter financial future for those left behind.
 
I have written a book entitled “The Insider’s Guide to Handling Ohio Accident Claims” in which I discuss the issues that arise surrounding serious injuries and wrongful death after an Ohio tragedy.  Here is an excerpt:

“Over the last few years, in the case of motor vehicle accidents, for example, we have seen the auto insurance companies move away from making large early offers to injured victims to keep lawyers out of the process, in general. We are now seeing more low offers across the board, forcing people to either accept what we consider unreasonable offers or hire a lawyer and wait for a fair settlement. As we say in the personal injury profession, insurance companies will pay you quickly or fairly, but not both. In other words, if you want a generous settlement, you will have to jump through some legal hoops, which include a lawyer. 
 
In reality, the days of handling things yourself and getting a great settlement that takes care of all your future medical needs and protects your medical benefits are coming to a quick end. To be blunt, in my experience, insurance companies only understand force and the risk it brings to their bottom line, and what force does a non-lawyer really have against the multi-billion dollar insurance companies. It is like David fighting Goliath without any stones to throw.” …

“To make matters worse, just trying to understand the legal verbiage used by insurance adjusters is like going to France and not speaking the French language. Why would you negotiate with someone in France when you don’t even speak the language?  Luckily, we do speak the language of insurance and injury claims. Think of us as your legal interpreter."
 
You can get a free copy of the book by going to the Chester Law Group website at www.chesterlaw.com and clicking on the book icon.  It is written in plain English with many funny cartoons designed to explain the concepts in an easy to understand way.  

A free copy of my companion DVD is also available on the site.  It answers frequently asked questions and discusses the roles of the main players in the personal injury process, including doctors, insurance companies, health insurance companies, etc. Knowledge is power.