Were you injured in a car accident involving a drunk driver in Celina, Ohio? You may be able to hold them accountable and seek compensation for your injuries.
A Celina DUI accident lawyer at the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis can help you with your claim. We have 150 years of combined experience and have recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
Contact us today at (419) 871-4247 for a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights.
Why Choose the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis for My DUI Accident Claim in Celina, OH?
Getting hurt by a drunk driver is a clear case of negligence. It’s preventable and should be treated seriously by the insurers involved in your claim.
An experienced Celina car accident attorney can help you make them take it seriously and challenge their tendencies to undervalue claims and blame victims for the accident.
Accident victims in Celina, OH, choose the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis because:
- We have over 100 five-star reviews on Google.
- We have been recognized by the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Best Lawyers.
- Our practice focuses on personal injury law.
Give us a call today to arrange a free consultation with a Celina DUI accident lawyer.
DUI Laws and Car Accident Cases
In Ohio, drunk driving offenses are officially classified as Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI) instead of traditional DUI charges. The baseline legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is set at 0.08% for standard motorists, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.02% for individuals under the age of 21.
Additionally, Ohio law also prohibits driving while impaired by drugs, including prescription medications. Drivers may face OVI charges for drug-related impairment even when alcohol is not involved.
How OVI Charges and Convictions Affect Car Accident Claims
While criminal OVI proceedings remain distinct from civil lawsuits, they play a critical role in personal injury litigation. Proof of a driver’s conviction or guilty plea can be evidence of negligence when building your civil claim for a full financial recovery.
When a driver is charged with or convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) in Ohio, that criminal record serves as strong evidence in your civil case. A conviction helps establish that the driver was impaired, which supports your claim that their negligence caused your injuries.
Additional evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records, can help establish liability and demonstrate how the impaired driver’s actions contributed to your injuries.
What Injuries Do DUI Accidents Cause?
Impaired drivers often fail to brake or swerve before a crash. As a result, injuries from drunk driving accidents are frequently severe.
Common injuries in DUI crash cases include:
- Bone fractures and complex breaks
- Severe burns and deep lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fatal injuries leading to wrongful death claims
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal organ damage
Each of these injuries can support a personal injury claim and necessitate compensation for medical care and other losses.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a DUI Accident in Ohio?
Ohio personal injury law allows victims of DUI accidents to pursue financial compensation for their total losses.
An economic damages award provides financial compensation for your monetary losses. Non-economic damages address your personal, nonmonetary losses that aren’t provable by financial documentation alone.
A successful claim may cover:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital bills
- Ongoing medical care
- Physical therapy and specialist appointments
- Lost income
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages
Motorists in Ohio must maintain minimum bodily injury liability insurance of $25,000 for each individual and $50,000 for every collision, alongside $25,000 for property losses. Following a crash with an impaired motorist, these policies serve as the primary avenue for initial recovery.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
However, basic minimum coverage is usually insufficient for catastrophic injuries. Should the liable party lack adequate coverage or drive uninsured, your personal uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) benefits may come into play. A skilled car accident lawyer can pinpoint every potential insurance policy available for your damages.
Contact a Celina DUI Accident Lawyer Today for Legal Help
A drunk driver’s poor decision should not ruin your financial stability. The Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis is here to guide you through the process and help you fight for justice.
We offer free case evaluations and take DUI accident claims on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you. Reach out to us today to discuss your case with a Celina DUI accident attorney and discover your options.