Determining the cause of a car accident plays a crucial role in establishing who was responsible and the factors that led to the collision. Many crashes happen because another driver was negligent—speeding, driving while distracted, ignoring traffic signals, or getting behind the wheel while impaired. Understanding common causes of car accidents can help you avoid dangerous situations on the road and, if a crash has already happened, identify the negligent parties.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in Ohio, Gervelis Law Firm can help investigate the incident, explain your legal options, and seek accountability on your behalf. We proudly serve Youngstown, Akron, Toledo, Columbus, Canfield, Warren, and the surrounding Pennsylvania region.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents, leading to 58,149 crashes in Ohio since 2020, and there have been 104,272 distracted driving citations issued during that time. Distracted driving is anything that takes your attention away from the road, and can be a visual, manual, or cognitive distraction—such as eating, daydreaming, changing the radio, using your phone, or texting. Even a brief distraction can lead to a rear-end crash, a lane-departure collision, or an intersection accident.
Speeding & Aggressive Driving
Speeding reduces the time a driver has to react and increases the distance needed to stop, which can turn a near-miss into a serious crash. Reckless or aggressive driver behaviors, such as tailgating, weaving through traffic, and unsafe passing, can also increase the risk of losing control or causing a chain-reaction collision.
- Attorney Stephanie Mehle secured $450,000.00 for a client who was struck after the defendant failed to slow for traffic.
Impaired Driving: Alcohol & Drugs
Impaired driving remains a leading cause of serious and fatal crashes. Alcohol, cannabis, prescription medications, and other drugs can affect judgment, coordination, vision, and reaction time.
In Ohio, impaired driving accounts for over 50% of the state’s fatal crashes. The state’s blood alcohol content limit is 0.08%, but plenty of accidents, even fatal ones, still occur while drivers are under the legal limit.
Weather-Related Accidents
Weather conditions can impact the roadway and the way people drive. Rain, snow, fog, and ice reduce visibility, make roads wet and slippery, and make it harder to slow down. Glare from the sun can also cause crashes, temporarily blinding drivers. During bad weather, drivers should maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead to allow sufficient time to react to any potential hazards.
Failure to Yield, Traffic Violations & Intersection Crashes
Car accidents often occur when drivers fail to adhere to traffic rules, particularly at intersections. The risk of a collision rises if drivers fail to yield to oncoming vehicles, roll through stop signs, neglect to signal a turn, make improper turns, or ignore traffic signals.
- Attorney Mark Gervelis secured $500,000.00 for a client in Reynoldsburg who was hit by a delivery truck that ran a stop sign.
Fatigued or Drowsy Driving
Drowsy or tired driving is getting behind the wheel while you’re sleep-deprived or tired. Similar to driving while drunk, fatigued driving affects your attention, coordination, reaction time, and judgment or decision-making ability.
Tired drivers are at risk of falling asleep behind the wheel, which can be disastrous for others on the road. Studies have found that people who are sleep deprived, or have stayed awake over 18 hours, have similar reaction times and hand-eye coordination to people with a blood alcohol content over 0.05%.
Vehicle Defects & Mechanical Failures
Vehicle malfunctions or defects can lead to serious car accidents if a driver suddenly loses control of their vehicle. Mechanical failures or vehicle problems can suddenly impair a car’s drivability, especially affecting vital components such as tires, steering, brakes, or the engine. These failures might include a tire blowing out unexpectedly, seatbelts failing, acceleration problems, or an airbag deploying without warning.
- Attorney Stephanie Mehle helped a client win $140,000.00 when the client’s disabled car was rear-ended in Chillicothe two different times.
Roadway Hazards or Poor Road Maintenance
Some accidents occur due to roadway hazards or poor maintenance, such as potholes, crumbling shoulders, uneven pavement, or missing/obstructed signage. These issues can cause blowouts, sudden swerving, or loss of control—especially when drivers lack sufficient time to react.
How to Determine the Cause of a Car Accident
Determining the cause after a car accident in Ohio involves investigating and collecting evidence. The cause can show where responsibility for the crash lies and affect the compensation you may be entitled to. Ohio’s modified comparative negligence rule allows you to recover damages as long as you are 50% or less responsible. Your degree of fault will reduce your compensation if you are partly to blame, making it crucial to identify the cause.
Identifying what led to the crash helps insurance adjusters determine liability for claims and can support your case if you pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Multiple factors can contribute to a car accident, and you shouldn’t assume the cause without a proper investigation or case review.
A car accident attorney can assist you in building a strong case by investigating your crash, collecting evidence to support your claims, employing experts for witness testimony and accident reconstruction, and managing all communications with insurers.
How Gervelis Law Firm Can Help After a Car Accident
Working with our attorneys at Gervelis Law gives you access to our Rapid Investigation Team, which will be on site within 24 hours to begin investigating the cause of your accident. After a free case review, our team will provide aggressive, experienced, and effective legal representation, doing everything possible to give you peace of mind as we fight for the compensation you need. With five locations throughout the state, Gervelis Law knows Ohio, and we’re proud to serve our clients in the state, providing them with the results they deserve.
If you’ve been in a car accident, you don’t need to wonder what could have happened or what to do next. With Gervelis Law, you can be confident your best interests are being considered. Contact Gervelis Law Firm today for a free consultation or call (866) 792-2728.