The state of Ohio recorded a total of 1,132 traffic deaths in the year 2016—this is an average of 3 fatalities per day.
These numbers are unsettling and unacceptable, but when I found out how many Ohio car accident fatalities have occurred already this month and in 2017, I was absolutely stunned and appalled.
As of January 25, 2017 there have been 57 traffic fatalities in Ohio.
This number is averaging two deaths a day and it is only January.
I have been a practicing attorney for 40 Years and seeing these high fatality numbers in one month tells me that serious change is needed. Recently, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and the Ohio Department of Transportation decreased the speed limit in a high-accident prone region for the winter in hopes of decreasing the number of car accidents there.
Police and ODOT are also making a stronger push in enforcing Ohio’s Move Over Law after several tragic deaths in the last 6 months. Although the police can have a powerful effect by enforcing traffic laws for drivers, the rest must be up to us in order to reduce traffic deaths in our state.
Last week one of our own Cleveland police officers was killed in a hit-and-run accident.
Cleveland police officer David Fahey was directing traffic early last Tuesday after a motor vehicle collision on I-90. When Officer Fahey was setting up flares, a vehicle struck him and fled the scene.
Officer Fahey passed away, leaving behind a family, friends, and his fellow officers. The suspect was caught and arrested, but the loss of an officer and a good man remains.
I cannot stress enough the importance of moving over any time drivers see work vehicles, safety workers, or pedestrians.
If you see work vehicles such as construction, police, fire, or ambulatory vehicles, please do the following:
- Use your turn signal to move over a full lane as soon as possible
- If you cannot move over a lane, immediately slow your speed
- Proceed past the safety vehicle/workers with caution and checking your surroundings for pedestrians
- If you are going through a construction zone with workers, remain at the posted speed until you are safely out of the work zone
Although these tips may seem to be common sense, a split second of not following them can be fatal.
Call me today if you or a loved one was injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence. I will fight for the compensation you deserve.
As your Ohio car accident attorney, I’ll be there for you, and I will Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving “Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities.” You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 855.800.0384.
