Traffic accidents are the leading cause of childhood death and injury; they kill about 260,000 children a year and injure about 10 million more. Children between the ages of 10 to 19 are largely represented in this number. There are a few simple safety tips and precautions you can take to greatly reduce your chances to in being a part of this statistic. 

1.) Pay attention!! Obey posted traffic signs, they are there to help warn you of what may be ahead such as a winding road or a sharp left turn. 

2.) Drive according to the road conditions. Use slower speeds during rainy or snowy weather; wet roads greatly increase the required distance to break safely. 

3.) Wear your seatbelt. They will not only keep you safe in an accident but could help you prevent one.

4.) Don’t tailgate. Try to keep as much distance between you and other vehicles, this includes driving next to another car.

5.) Pay extra attention in parking lots, this is the area where most traffic injuries happen. There is a higher volume of people around and therefore there is a much higher risk of vehicle-pedestrian accidents. 

If you or someone you know has lost a loved one in an Ohio fatal car accident, contact our office at 1.800.637.8170 for some information or a FREE copy of The Ohio Accident Book.

Though it offers little consolation to people who have lost a child, our court system compensates the beneficiaries of a decedent by awarding money. Damages – the term used to refer to the various reasons for which financial compensation can be awarded – are available for the estate and to the beneficiaries.

The estate of the deceased child can be compensated for the medical bills incurred to treat the child prior to death and for the pain and suffering the child experienced as a result of the accident or wrongdoing.

Under state law, the following damages are available to the beneficiaries in all wrongful death cases, not just those involving children:

Loss of prospective inheritance – Under this category, beneficiaries can seek financial compensation for the inheritance they might have received from the decedent had the decedent lived a normal lifespan. This likely wouldn’t apply in a case involving the death of a child.

Loss of support – This refers to the lost earning capacity of the decedent had he or she not died. The factors taken into consideration for loss of support would be the salary at the time of the decedent’s death as well as the amount of money the decedent reasonably could have been expected to earn in the future had the death not occurred. Charts called “life tables” are used to calculate how long the decedent would have been expected to live based on such factors as age at the time of death, gender, and race. As in the case of prospective inheritance, this probably wouldn’t be an issue for a case involving the death of a child.

Loss of services – Damages for loss of services are available to beneficiaries. It’s a sort of vague claim, but essentially the law allows beneficiaries to collect compensation for services the decedent provided the beneficiaries.

If you or someone you know has lost a child to tragic circumstances, you need information. Order your FREE copies of The Ohio Wrongful Death Book and Little Kids, Big Accidents to learn your rights. Our Findlay, Ohio wrongful death attorneys are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we have six locations in northwest Ohio where we can meet with you – for free – to discuss your case.

We represent Ohio personal injury clients from Toledo, Maumee, Delta, Port Clinton, Bowling Green, McClure, Napoleon, Helena, Fremont, Fostoria, Tiffin, Cygnet, North Baltimore, Ottawa, Findlay, Carey, Bryan, Sandusky, Swanton, Perrysburg, Grand Rapids, Waterville, Liberty Center, Portage, West Millgrove, Woodville, Genoa, Gibsonburg, Findlay, Risingsun, Deshler, Hamler, Oregon, Sylvania, Delta, Weston, Oak Harbor, Port Clinton, Clyde, Lorain, Ottawa Hills, Rossford, Millbury, Walbridge, Holland, Northwood, and Whitehouse. We also serve those who live in Lucas, Wood, Seneca, Lorain, Fulton, Erie, Hancock, and Sandusky Counties.

It turns out that the snowy winter months are not the most dangerous time to drive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, of NHTSA, reports that August is the most dangerous month to be on the road, and Saturday is the most dangerous day to drive.

The number of car accidents in August 2008 totalled 3,612 and the number of car accidents in January of the same year were 2,818, according to the NHTSA. The change in the number of car accidents could be due to the time of day, simple distractions, or unsafe behavior, according to Forbes.com, who reported the findings.

The NHTSA also reported that speeding is a factor in 30% of all fatal car accidents, 18% of daylight car accidents were alcohol-related, and 54% of nighttime car accidents were alcohol-related.

Our Toledo, Ohio car accident lawyers handle Ohio car accidents on a regular basis. If you or someone you love has been injured in an Ohio car accident, contact our office today for your FREE copy of The Ohio Accident Book. You can also contact our attorneys 24 hours a day, seven days a week to discuss your Ohio car accident case.

Injured in Michigan? We work with Michigan’s best car accident attorneys, Buckfire and Buckfire. They handle all types of Michigan car accidents, and have also written The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook. To order your FREE copy today, contact their office 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

New technology, called V2P, or Vehicle to Pedestrian, is designed to help drivers spot pedestrians and bicyclists nearby. Small devices the size of a cell phone release signals to cars with the built-in receivers.

Our fatal car accident lawyers handle on a regular basis car accidents that involve pedestrians or auto accidents involving bicyclists. We can help you if you have been struck by a car while walking or on your bike. Contact our office to order your FREE copy of The Ohio Accident Book.