Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Toledo, Ohio
The firms in this guide
1. Charles E. Boyk Law Offices, LLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, dog bites, slip and fall accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial truck accidents, fatal accidents, semi-truck collisions, multi-vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has secured millions of dollars in compensation for victims of serious injuries. Notable results include an $1,800,000 settlement for a grandmother and grandchild injured in a head-on collision with an intoxicated driver, and substantial recoveries for victims of semi-truck accidents. The firm handles cases throughout Northwest Ohio and is dedicated to helping clients regain normalcy after serious accidents.
Location: Toledo, OH
Contact: https://www.charlesboyk-law.com/
Consultation: Free case review, contingency fee basis
2. Gervelis Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, product liability, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, intersection accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, evidence gathering, accident reconstruction, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has been helping Ohioans injured in accidents for almost 25 years. Founder Mark S. Gervelis is board-certified in trial advocacy by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification. He has been recognized as Ohio Super Lawyers from 2007-2012 and 2014-2016. Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Notable results include $1,000,000 for a motorcyclist with fractures requiring multiple surgeries and $900,000 for a family in a fatal semi-truck collision. Attorney David Michael Tschantz focuses on motor vehicle cases and is a member of the Mahoning Trumbull County Academy of Trial Lawyers.
Location: Secor Road, Toledo, OH (near Trilby Park)
Contact: https://www.gervelislaw.com/toledo-oh/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless case is won)
3. Lafferty Gallagher & Scott, LLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, insurance disputes, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, intersection accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, insurance dispute resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has been dedicated to helping accident victims in the greater Toledo area since 1973. Over 100 million dollars obtained for clients. Award-winning approach that holds negligent parties and insurance companies accountable. The firm takes an aggressive approach to reducing unwarranted blame placed on victims by insurance companies.
Location: Toledo, OH
Contact: (419) 241-5500 | https://www.lgslaw.net/
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis (no payment unless case is won)
4. Williams DeClark Tuschman Co., L.P.A.
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, intersection accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, medical errors
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical malpractice claims, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has over 100 years of combined experience pursuing compensation for the injured. Attorneys Peter O. DeClark, Chad M. Tuschman, and Jacob J. Hamilton lead the firm. The attorneys are passionate about protecting clients’ rights and have proven abilities to help clients obtain just compensation. Recognized by top-level organizations nationally and throughout Ohio.
Location: Toledo, OH
Contact: (419) 719-5195 | https://www.wdtlaw.org/
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis
5. Groth & Associates
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, intersection accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, uninsured motorist accidents, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, uninsured motorist claims, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims
Background: The firm has 100 combined years of experience representing clients. Attorneys hold negligent defendants and insurance companies accountable. The firm knows how to file winning claims and represents clients throughout Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan. Experienced in handling cases involving uninsured motorists and complex insurance disputes.
Location: Toledo, OH
Contact: https://www.grothlaw.com/toledo/personal-injury-lawyer/
Consultation: Free no-obligation case evaluation
Bar Liability, Seat Belt Evidence and Insurance Minimums for Toledo Car Crashes
A Toledo car crash caused by a drunk driver can raise when the bar that served the driver can be sued. Ohio law also sets how an unbuckled seat belt affects damages, what liability coverage the other driver had to carry, and how much noneconomic loss can be recovered.
When a Bar Can Be Sued
Under Ohio Revised Code 4399.18, a liquor permit holder is not liable for an intoxicated person’s acts unless the injury occurred on its premises or controlled parking lot and was caused by its negligence. For a crash away from the premises, the injured person must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the permit holder knowingly sold to a noticeably intoxicated person or in violation of the underage sales law, and that the intoxication proximately caused the injury.
Seat Belts and Damages
Under Ohio Revised Code 4513.263(F)(1), failure to wear a seat belt as required 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. Under (F)(2), the evidence is admissible in a design defect or crashworthiness claim against the vehicle’s manufacturer, designer, distributor or seller.
Insurance Minimums and Optional Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Under Ohio Revised Code 4509.51(B), an owner’s policy must cover at least $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $50,000 for two or more persons and $25,000 for injury to or destruction of property in one accident. Under 3937.18(A), a policy may, but is not required to, include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
Limits on Noneconomic Damages
Under Ohio Revised Code 2315.18(B), economic loss is not capped, and noneconomic loss may not exceed the greater of $250,000 or three times economic loss, up to $350,000 per plaintiff or $500,000 per occurrence, with no cap for permanent and substantial physical deformity, loss of use of a limb or loss of a bodily organ system, or a permanent functional injury that prevents independent self-care.
Toledo 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), and two years after the death for wrongful death under 2125.02(F)(1), subject to the listed exceptions in each section. If a city vehicle was involved, Ohio Revised Code 2744.02(B)(1) makes the city liable for its employee’s negligent driving, subject to listed defenses, and 2744.05 limits damages other than actual loss to $250,000 per person except in 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 $65,000 in damages and 30 percent of the responsibility on the injured driver: the recovery would be $45,500.
Is there a cap on punitive damages?
Yes. Under Ohio Revised Code 2315.21(D)(2)(a), the court may not enter judgment for punitive damages above two times the compensatory damages awarded against that defendant, with a lower limit for a small employer or individual under (D)(2)(b).