Every driver on the road has a duty to show care toward other drivers, pedestrians, and property, which can be expressed by following the rules and driving in a responsible manner. When they fail to meet this obligation, those who suffer may be entitled to seek compensation. However, claiming damages can be a long, complex process that is subject to a variety of state laws and regulations—as the personal injury attorneys at Pater, Pater & Halverson Co. in Hamilton, OH, explain.

Comparative Negligence

The law assumes that everyone has a duty to behave in a reasonable manner, which means, you may be held liable for your own injuries in an accident if you were behaving negligently. In Ohio, the court will calculate your comparative negligence as a percentage and deduct that proportion from the final award if it is below 51%. If it is above that number, you'll be barred from collecting compensation at all.

Statute Of Limitations

Ohio state law limits the time frame in which an auto accident victim can file a personal injury claim. In most cases, anyone who has suffered an injury or property damage in an accident must file a claim within two years, or they will lose the right to collect damages entirely.

At-Fault Insurance

Like many states, Ohio maintains an “at-fault” system, which requires the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident to pay all damages. To ensure everyone is equally protected, each driver is required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, although purchasing additional insurance is usually recommended.

For over a century, Pater, Pater & Halverson Co. has represented the interests of Ohio residents injured by no fault of their own. Visit the website to learn more about their longstanding tradition of exceptional service, or call (513) 867-1411 to schedule a consultation for your personal injury case today.