When the weather is favorable, a jog outside can be one of the most invigorating things for your physical and mental health. But any outdoor runner faces a variety of risks depending on the area where they are running, and accidents to a pedestrian in these situations are rarely minor and are frequently severe or deadly. The pedestrian accident lawyers of Cleveland, Ohio, law firm Lowe Eklund Wakefield Co., LPA, know this from firsthand experience.

If you've been involved in a moderate or severe car crash, the aftermath of a collision can make treating injuries, paying medical bills, dealing with lost wages, or replacing your vehicle feel like an endless ordeal of stress. But an additional detail that new parents also must consider is how to replace your child's car safety seat. 

The Ohio winter has come in like a lion this year.  For the past weeks, Clevelanders have been dealing with precipitous snow, icy roads, and dangerous traffic crashes.  With wrecks and collisions on the rise, you may be wondering if you need an accident attorney in Cleveland.

The truth is that whether you are involved in any type of motor vehicle accident, consulting a lawyer is a must to protect your interests.  Accident attorneys at Lowe Eklund Wakefield Co., LPA are available now to provide a free consultation regarding your accident and your legal options.

When someone is injured in a car accident, personal injury attorneys provide victims with a voice.  Whether arguing before the court or fighting against greedy insurance companies, a lawyer can help you stand up for your right to compensation for your injuries.

Many car accident victims, though, do not consult with a personal injury lawyer following a crash.  Some choose to settle with an insurance company on their own.  Others do not think their injuries are serious enough for a case.  Others still believe that their partial responsibility makes a successful lawsuit impossible.

Whatever their reasons, these poor victims disadvantage themselves by not consulting a car accident personal injury attorney. 

Many car and truck accidents involve injuries to vehicle passengers.  Who is at fault for (and who is financially liable for) a passenger’s injuries is not always easy to figure out.  For this reason it is important when a passenger is injured in an auto accident to contact a Cleveland car accident lawyer.

Why You Need an Auto Accident Attorney when Dealing with Insurance Companies

Auto insurance companies are notorious for their efforts to achieve a quick settlement with injured crash victims.  The reasons they do this are many: to prevent individuals from seeking the advice of legal counsel who may be able to determine additional liabilities; to prevent individuals from more thoroughly estimate the amount of damages suffered; and to prevent individuals from hiring legal counsel to negotiate on their behalf for a more appropriate settlement.

If you have been injured in an accident, finding the right attorney is essential.  A skilled Cleveland accident attorney can guide you through the complex and trying times that follow a life-altering personal injury.

Frequently, this means more than merely negotiating an insurance settlement or representing you in court.  It may also mean providing guidance on matters of treatment for your injuries, loss of employment, disability benefits, and the many other difficult personal consequences of sustaining a personal injury.

With so much on the line, you may want to remember a few easy tips to help ensure that your accident attorney is the right attorney for you.

Any Driver Can Be Negligent

There are many scenarios that can cause you to seek out a car accident lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio.

When most of us think of motor vehicle accident lawsuits, we probably think of a negligent driver crashing into another vehicle and causing injuries to the occupants of the other vehicle. This type of scenario does, in fact, occur quite often.

When Bars Over-serve, Lives Hang in the Balance

A new report issued by the Governors Highway Safety Association projects an approximately 10% increase of pedestrian traffic fatalities nationwide in 2015. The preliminary data reported by the GHSA is based on deaths occurring only in the first half of the year, but if projections hold the 10% increase will be the highest year-to-year increase since the data has been collected.

2015 saw an approximately 5% increase in Ohio traffic-related deaths over the previous year, according to the State Highway Patrol. The 1,057 confirmed traffic deaths in 2015 was up from 1,008 in 2014 and 990 in 2013. With 42 deaths still under review, the 2015 figure could rise to over 1,100 Ohio traffic deaths.

Tragedy struck this holiday season as two Cleveland hit-and-run accidents left a local woman dead and at least two people injured on Christmas. Police are believed to have promising leads for identifying both of the responsible hit/skip drivers, but this does not change the fact that once again local car accident victims and their families must now cope with devastating injury and loss because of the actions of negligent—and likely criminal—drivers.

Earlier this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed a series of changes to its crash testing protocols and vehicle safety rating system. Though not yet finalized, the proposed changes would bring American crash testing standards up to par with those of other countries around the globe. As Ohio motor vehicle accident lawyers, the team at Lowe Eklund Wakefield Co., LPA knows firsthand the significant and potentially life-saving difference that these updates could make.

Anyone Can Be a Distracted Driver

In 2014, there were a total of 3,429 motor vehicle accidents reported in Ohio during the Thanksgiving holiday. This number far exceeds the crash total for any other holiday. Why exactly is Thanksgiving so hazardous for this state’s drivers, passengers, and pedestrians? While every traffic accident is different, there are many factors that may contribute to the high volume of Thanksgiving car accidents. Keep the following factors in mind when planning a safe, enjoyable holiday this year.

With a marijuana legalization issue on the Ohio ballot next week, many are thinking about the potential consequences of marijuana use in our state.  While we will leave it to the voters to decide the issue, one fact that will remain true regardless of the outcome is that marijuana use can result in personal injuries.

In 2014, the months of October and November saw the highest totals of Ohio traffic accident-related injuries and deaths, with totals of 9,706 and 9,142 respectively.  While snowy months typically see higher total crashes, those accidents frequently occur at lower speeds because drivers may be operating their vehicles with extra caution due to road conditions.  Thus, fewer physical injuries occur as the result of crashes.  Why, then, do so many injuries occur in October and November?

Since the start of this blog, we have posted a number of articles suggesting the best course of action to take in the aftermath of an Ohio motor vehicle accident.  Both on the scene and in the weeks or months after a traffic crash, taking the proper steps can help injured victims protect their rights and streamline a potential monetary recovery.  But, along with the list of things to do, there are certain things that injured parties in many cases should not do.

Defective airbags have been all over the news during the past year, primarily due to the massive recall related to faulty airbag inflators manufactured by Takata Corp. and used in a wide range of popular automobiles.  Now, it seems possible that another major airbag recall may be on the way.