Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Akron, Ohio
The firms in this guide
1. Gervelis Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, construction accidents, wrongful death, product liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, catastrophic injury cases including brain injuries and spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence collection, expert witness coordination, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery
Background: Founding attorney Mark S. Gervelis is board-certified in civil trial advocacy by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification. He has been practicing law in Ohio since 1976 and was recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top attorneys in Ohio from 2007-2012 and 2014-2016. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Attorney David Michael Tschantz is an Akron native who graduated from the University of Akron School of Law and has been practicing civil litigation at the firm since 2011. He was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2014-2016. Attorney Stephanie Mehle joined the firm in 2015 after graduating cum laude from the University of Akron School of Law.
Location: Wallahaven building at W. Market, Exchange, and S. Hawkins intersection, Akron, OH
Contact: https://www.gervelislaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation
2. Slater & Zurz LLP
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, wrongful death, workers compensation
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, rear-end accidents, intersection crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, hit-and-run accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, medical record analysis, damage documentation
Background: The firm has over 32 years of experience and has handled more than 40,000 cases. The attorneys are committed to securing full compensation for clients, including coverage for medical bills and related damages. The firm takes a relentless approach to holding liable parties accountable and provides support throughout challenging times.
Location: Akron, Ohio office serving Summit County and surrounding areas
Contact: https://slaterzurz.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery is obtained)
3. Willis, Willis & Rizzi Co., L.P.A.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, insurance litigation, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, semi-truck trailer accidents, rear-end collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, wrongful death cases, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, insurance coverage disputes, health plan subrogation challenges
Background: The attorneys concentrate exclusively on personal injury and insurance litigation. The firm does not represent insurance companies, manufacturers, or other corporate interests, focusing solely on representing individual plaintiffs. The firm has achieved victories in the Ohio Supreme Court, Federal Courts, Federal Courts of Appeals, State Courts of Appeals, and trial courts. Clients have direct contact with experienced personal injury attorneys throughout their cases.
Location: Akron, Ohio
Contact: (330) 535-2000 | https://www.willislegal.com/
Consultation: Contact firm to discuss claim
4. Hoover Kacyon, LLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, rear-end accidents, intersection crashes, catastrophic injury cases including brain injuries and orthopedic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, vehicle repair assistance, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: Attorney Joseph A. Kacyon heads the Personal Injury Attorney Practice Group and has worked with clients to ensure just compensation for personal injury and property damage after accidents. Attorney Rachel Smick brings extensive knowledge and experience to the Personal Injury Practice Group and has been working with personal injury and wrongful death clients since the beginning of her career in law. The firm provides support through the entire claims process.
Location: Akron, Ohio (serving Summit County, Portage County, and Medina County)
Contact: (330) 922-4491 | https://www.hooverkacyon.com/
Consultation: No obligation initial consultation, no fee until recovery
5. The Buckeye Law Group Inc.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, workplace injuries, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, multi-vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery
Background: The firm’s accident attorneys combined have negotiated or won more than a billion dollars in settlements and verdicts. The firm serves clients throughout Ohio with offices in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, and Akron. The attorneys are willing to meet clients at the hospital or at home during recovery and ensure clients are treated as individuals rather than case numbers.
Location: 388 South Main Street, Suite 400, Akron, OH 44311
Contact: (330) 426-0288 | https://www.buckeyeaccidentattorneys.com/
Consultation: Free, no-obligation case evaluation
Injured Minors, Shared Liability and Wrongful Death Claims for Akron Car Crashes
An Akron car crash claim can raise when the filing period runs for an injured child, how damages are split when more than one driver is at fault, and when punitive damages are allowed. When a crash is fatal, Ohio law decides who benefits and what the family can recover.
Injured Minors and Unsound Mind
Under Ohio Revised Code 2305.16, unless otherwise provided in the listed sections, a person who is a minor or of unsound mind when the cause of action accrues may bring the action within the applicable period after the disability is removed. A later adjudication of unsound mind, or confinement for a condition rendering the person of unsound mind, stops the clock for that time.
When More Than One Driver Is at Fault
Under Ohio Revised Code 2307.22(A), a defendant found responsible for more than 50 percent of the tortious conduct is jointly and severally liable for all compensatory damages representing economic loss, and a defendant at 50 percent or less pays only a proportionate share of those economic damages, with a separate rule for a defendant found liable for an intentional tort. Under (C), each defendant pays only its proportionate share of the damages for noneconomic loss.
Punitive Damages
Under Ohio Revised Code 2315.21(C), punitive damages require conduct showing malice or aggravated or egregious fraud, or a principal that knowingly authorized, participated in or ratified such conduct, plus a compensatory award. Under (D)(2)(a), judgment for punitive damages may not exceed two times the compensatory damages awarded against that defendant.
When a Crash Is Fatal
Under Ohio Revised Code 2125.02(A)(1), the personal representative brings the action for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, children and parents, who are rebuttably presumed to have suffered damages, and of the other next of kin. Under (D), damages may include loss of support, services and society, loss of prospective inheritance and the survivors’ mental anguish, and under (F)(1) the action is commenced within two years after the death, subject to the listed exceptions.
Akron Car Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue the other driver?
Two years after the cause of action accrues for bodily injury or injury to personal property under Ohio Revised Code 2305.10(A), subject to the exceptions listed in that section. A claim over a city vehicle runs under Ohio Revised Code 2744.02(B)(1), with no punitive damages and a $250,000 per-person limit on damages other than actual loss under 2744.05, outside wrongful death actions.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if your fault was not greater than the combined tortious conduct of all other persons, under Ohio Revised Code 2315.33. For example, imagine $55,000 in damages and 40 percent of the responsibility on the injured driver: the recovery would be $33,000.
Can a missing seat belt be used against me?
Yes, but in a claim against the other driver only to reduce noneconomic damages. Under Ohio Revised Code 4513.263(F)(1), the failure is not used as evidence of negligence or contributory negligence, but the trier of fact may find it contributed to the harm and reduce the damages for noneconomic loss.