Drunk Driving Accidents in Ohio
Drunk drivers cause roughly one-third of all traffic deaths in Ohio every year. If you were hit by a drunk driver, you have rights beyond a typical car accident — including the possibility of punitive damages and claims against bars, restaurants, or hosts who served the driver.
What you should know
Ohio's dram shop law (R.C. 4399.18) allows victims to sue establishments that knowingly served alcohol to a noticeably intoxicated person who then caused harm. Combined with criminal penalties against the driver, civil liability under tort, and potential punitive damages, drunk driving cases can yield significant recoveries.
What typically causes them
- Bar over-service
- Holiday drinking and driving
- Repeat offenders with multiple OVIs
- Underage drinking
- Drinking and prescription drug interactions
Injuries we see
- Severe trauma — DUI crashes are often high-speed and head-on
- Brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Burns
- Crush injuries
- Wrongful death
Steps to take after a drunk driving accidents
- 1
Call 911 — request a breath/blood test of the driver
- 2
Note any signs of impairment (slurred speech, smell of alcohol)
- 3
Get the police report — it's powerful evidence
- 4
Get medical care
- 5
Investigate where the driver came from (bar receipts, social media)
- 6
Speak with a drunk driving accident attorney quickly
A criminal conviction can be powerful evidence in a civil case (collateral estoppel). Punitive damages may be available if conduct was egregious. Dram shop claims have specific notice requirements.
In addition to standard damages, victims may recover punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter future conduct.
2 years for personal injury, 2 years for wrongful death. Dram shop claims have specific notice requirements that can be much shorter.
Don't let an Ohio drunk driving accidents ruin your future.
The clock is ticking on Ohio's 2-year statute of limitations. Get a free, no-obligation case review now.