Williams DeClark Tuschman Co. L.P.A. Williams DeClark Tuschman Co. L.P.A.2026-10-19T22:20:36Zhttps://www.wdtlaw.org/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1400964/2019/11/cropped-favicon-min-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Williams DeClark Tuschman Co. L.P.A.<![CDATA[What are the long-term costs of a spinal cord injury?]]>https://www.wdtlaw.org/?p=537852026-10-19T22:20:36Z2026-10-19T22:18:46ZA spinal cord injury can affect almost every single part of your life. Everyday tasks may become more difficult, returning to work may not be possible right away and the road to recovery can look very different from what you expected.
On top of these difficult changes, you may be wondering how you will be able to pay for everything. When medical bills keep coming and you are unable to earn your usual income, thinking about the future can feel overwhelming.
Understanding the financial impact of a spinal cord injury
A spinal cord injury occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a long, cylinder-shaped bundle of nerve tissue and cells that runs from the base of your brainstem down through the center of the spine. Working together with the brain, the spinal cord makes up the central nervous system, acting as the main communication pathway between your brain and the rest of your body. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, you may experience lasting changes in strength, sensation or other bodily functions. In some cases, the damage can also cause paralysis or the loss of muscle function in parts of your body.The costs of a spinal cord injury often continue long after you leave the hospital. You may need regular medical appointments, prescription medications and physical therapy for months or even years. Depending on your injury, you may also need a wheelchair or other mobility device to help you get around. These expenses can add up quickly, especially if you are already struggling to pay your bills or have fallen behind on other household expenses.Missing work can create another financial challenge. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need months to recover, reduce your hours or leave your job altogether. Even if you return to work, you may not be able to earn what you did before the accident. When looking at the long-term costs of your injury, it is important to consider not only the bills you have today but also the income and support you may need in the years ahead.Recovering from a spinal cord injury is difficult enough without the added worry of how you will afford the care you need. If you are struggling with these expenses, speaking with a qualified legal professional can help you better understand your rights and the options available to you.]]>On Behalf of Williams DeClark Tuschman Co. L.P.A.<![CDATA[ACL recovery times after a car accident]]>https://www.wdtlaw.org/?p=537832026-10-05T13:47:09Z2026-10-05T13:47:09ZMany people think of ACL injuries in the context of sports because they are injuries caused by excessive force and twisting. The anterior cruciate ligament runs along the knee, so twisting the joint excessively can cause it to rip or tear. This is often a non-contact injury in football, for example, caused by the force as someone runs, cuts or turns.
But the same injury could occur in a car accident. A violent collision exerts sudden force on the body in unexpected directions. Injuries to the lower extremities are common in front-end collisions.If you do suffer an ACL injury, it will likely require extensive surgery to repair. What type of recovery time are you looking at?
6 to 9 months
Generally speaking, an ACL injury takes 6 to 9 months to recover after surgery. This is true with a Grade 3 injury, which is a complete tear. The ACL is in two pieces and needs to be reconnected by the surgeon.Grade 1 injuries simply stretch the ligament, while Grade 2 means that it can be partially torn. This could still require surgery, but may have a faster healing time.Another key detail to consider is if there were other injuries that occurred along with the ACL tear. There could be injuries to other ligaments, such as the MCL, or a person could be dealing with muscle tears, compound fractures, crush injuries and much more. These can all increase the overall healing time.But even in the best case, an ACL tear means that a person will be recovering for months. They may be unable to work, and the necessary surgery can be very expensive. That is why car accident victims need to know how they can seek compensation for medical treatment, lost wages and much more.]]>On Behalf of Williams DeClark Tuschman Co. L.P.A.<![CDATA[What should you do after a serious Uber or Lyft accident?]]>https://www.wdtlaw.org/?p=537802026-09-28T14:38:16Z2026-09-28T14:38:16ZReport the accident
Make sure the crash gets properly reported, even if you were only a passenger. Call law enforcement when appropriate and ask how to obtain the police report later. If the rideshare driver already reported the crash, you can still provide your own account as an injured passenger or witness.
If your condition allows, gather:
The driver's name and contact information
The other driver's information
Names and contact information for witnesses
The Uber or Lyft trip information
Ohio law requires a rideshare driver to provide insurance information after an accident. The driver must also disclose whether they were logged into the app or providing services when the crash happened.
Preserve evidence from the scene
Save information that could help document what happened before it disappears or becomes harder to obtain. If your injuries allow, take photos of the vehicles, accident scene and visible injuries. Save your trip information from the app, along with any messages or other records connected to the ride.
You should also write down what you remember about the crash while those details remain fresh.
Get medical attention
Seek medical care as soon as possible, even if you initially think your injuries seem manageable. Some serious injuries do not cause obvious symptoms right away, so an early medical evaluation can document the injuries you had after the crash. If your condition later worsens or new symptoms appear, those early records can help show that your injuries began with the accident.
Your medical records also document the care you received after the crash, including your treatment, follow-up appointments and any restrictions your doctor gives you. Keep those records and follow your doctor's instructions as you recover.
Be careful with insurance communications
Think carefully before giving an insurance company a statement or accepting an offer. You may receive questions about the crash soon after the accident, but you do not have to rush into decisions while you are still dealing with your injuries. Avoid guessing about fault or making statements about the full extent of your injuries before you understand your claim.
Give yourself room to recover
After a serious rideshare accident, you may have a lot to handle while also trying to recover from your injuries. Getting medical care, reporting the crash, preserving evidence and dealing carefully with insurance communications can help protect your interests during this difficult time. If you have questions about your claim, consider reviewing your accident records with a personal injury attorney who can explain your options and help you decide what to do next.]]>On Behalf of Williams DeClark Tuschman Co. L.P.A.<![CDATA[Who is responsible after a school bus accident?]]>https://www.wdtlaw.org/?p=537782026-09-21T16:39:16Z2026-09-21T16:39:16ZYour child was injured in a school bus accident on the way home from school. It is a call you never want to receive as a parent. You rush to the hospital, where your child is given emergency medical treatment.
You are glad that doctors were able to perform this treatment and that your child will recover, but it is still going to be very expensive. Who is responsible for your child’s injuries? Who is liable for damages, like medical bills or even the pain and suffering your child endured?
The bus driver
To start with, the bus driver themselves may be responsible if they made a mistake and caused the accident. The same could be true for the driver of another vehicle if they struck the bus. If a semi-truck ran a red light and hit the bus, for example, that truck driver would be liable.
The school or school district
Additionally, the school itself, or the school district in which it is incorporated, could be responsible. There may be some liability for the actions that their employee took while working as a bus driver. You may also be able to demonstrate some level of negligence. For instance, perhaps the school district did not hire trained drivers or did not screen candidates closely enough, and the negligence meant that your child was at greater risk.
The bus manufacturer
In some cases, the accident may have been due to a malfunction. Perhaps the bus was defective or certain mechanical systems failed, causing the accident. The manufacturer could be responsible for such a crash.
Seeking financial compensation
At the end of the day, it is important to carefully consider all of these sources for compensation. Take the time to look into all of your legal options moving forward.]]>On Behalf of Williams DeClark Tuschman Co. L.P.A.<![CDATA[Why are truck accidents more dangerous than car accidents?]]>https://www.wdtlaw.org/?p=537752026-09-08T22:25:45Z2026-09-08T22:25:45ZBeing involved in any car accident can be dangerous. However, truck accidents are significantly more dangerous. A collision between a standard passenger car and a truck is more likely to result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities, particularly to the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
So, what makes truck accidents so dangerous?
Weight difference
A standard car weighs 3,000 to 4,000 pounds, whereas a commercial truck can weigh from 10,000 pounds to 80,000 pounds. When a small car collides with a vehicle that weighs almost 20 times its weight, it will absorb most of the impact force. Besides, the lighter weight of the car cannot make the truck slow down quickly, especially when fully loaded. Thus, the truck will push the car backward, forcing it to absorb almost all the rapid change in speed.The transfer of immense energy to the smaller vehicle risks its occupants, as the force will be transferred to them. This can lead to severe injuries.
Height difference
A standard passenger car is about 4 to 5 feet tall, while a commercial truck is about 13.5 feet tall. This creates a risk of an underride collision during impact. The passenger car can slide underneath the trailer from the back or the side. An underride collision is a very dangerous accident, as it bypasses safety features. When safety zones, such as crumple zones and airbags, are not engaged, a car’s occupants are not protected. There is also the risk of the car’s roof being crushed or sheared off, increasing the chances of severe head and neck trauma.
Hazardous cargo
An accident involving a truck carrying hazardous cargo, such as flammable liquids, compressed gases, and corrosive materials, increases the risk of toxic exposure and explosions.Many factors that cause truck accidents are preventable. If you were injured due to negligence, consider legal guidance to hold the liable party responsible. ]]>On Behalf of Williams DeClark Tuschman Co. L.P.A.<![CDATA[What is an Ohio injury claim worth if you lose your career?]]>https://www.wdtlaw.org/?p=537712026-08-25T16:29:17Z2026-08-25T16:29:17ZHow lost earning capacity is calculated
When an injury ends your career, Ohio law lets you pursue more than missed paychecks. You can seek the full value of what you would have earned for the rest of your working life, with no dollar cap.
Vocational and economic experts typically help prove this by mapping out your career path and calculating what it was worth. If retraining is realistic, those costs may be recoverable too.
What non-economic damages cover
Ohio law also allows you to seek compensation for what the injury took from your life beyond income. This includes physical pain and suffering, permanent scarring or disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life and the inability to do things you once did, including caring for or playing with your children.
These damages are harder to quantify but often represent the largest portion of a catastrophic injury claim.
How Ohio law treats non-economic damages
Ohio limits how much you can recover for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment in most cases. The ceiling is $250,000 or three times your economic damages, whichever is greater, up to $350,000.
However, that limit does not apply to everyone. If your injury caused permanent disfigurement, the loss of a limb or organ or left you unable to care for yourself, Ohio law removes the cap entirely. Many career-ending injuries meet this threshold, which means there may be no ceiling on what you can recover.
What goes into proving these damages
Strong claims require vocational experts, economic analysts, medical documentation and personal testimony from people who can speak to how your daily life has changed. The completeness of this evidence directly shapes the value of your claim, which is why building it early matters.
Acting quickly protects the value of your claim
In Ohio, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim. Missing that deadline means losing your right to compensation entirely. Acting early also preserves evidence and gives your legal team time to build the strongest possible picture of your losses before an insurance company shapes the narrative first.
If a serious injury has permanently changed your life and your career, speaking with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible may make a real difference in what you are able to recover.
]]>On Behalf of Williams DeClark Tuschman Co. L.P.A.<![CDATA[Confusion at roundabouts can lead to accidents]]>https://www.wdtlaw.org/?p=537682026-08-20T14:49:55Z2026-08-20T14:49:55ZRoundabouts are designed to be relatively simple and efficient. When used correctly, they can lower accident rates and keep the flow of traffic moving.
But one of the problems with them is that many drivers are unfamiliar with roundabouts. They may be encountering one for the first time. This confusion can lead to mistakes that lead to serious accidents.
Failing to yield the right way
For instance, when a driver is entering a roundabout, they have to yield to any vehicles that are already within that roundabout. If a driver thinks the oncoming cars have to wait for them, they may fail to yield the right way and cause a collision.
Stopping completely
If there are no vehicles in the roundabout, drivers are not always required to stop completely when approaching. But a driver who is used to four-way stops may still slam on the brakes, surprising the driver behind them and leading to a rear-end accident.
Confusion over lanes
Furthermore, once a driver is in a roundabout, they should stay in their lane. In a two-lane roundabout, drivers will sometimes try to change lanes when they realize they need to exit at a specific point. But this could cause them to merge into vehicles that are already occupying that lane.
Overlooking pedestrians
Finally, roundabouts often have crosswalks for pedestrians. A driver who is too focused on other vehicles may not see pedestrians in the crosswalk while entering or exiting the roundabout.
Seeking financial compensation
Have you been involved in a car accident caused by another driver who made a mistake? If you suffered injuries, you may deserve compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and related damages.
]]>On Behalf of Williams DeClark Tuschman Co. L.P.A.<![CDATA[A boat does not have brakes]]>https://www.wdtlaw.org/?p=537652026-08-05T14:20:31Z2026-08-05T14:20:31ZIf you are on the water this summer, you have to share that space with many other boaters. Remember that they may not be very experienced, as many people only go out on the water once or twice a year. A lot of people will rent or borrow watercraft that they have never even used before. This can lead to a multitude of mistakes.
One common mistake revolves around the fact that a boat does not have brakes the way that an automobile does. While sailboats are operated with a tiller system, many modern power boats have a steering wheel that feels, to the driver, the same as operating their car. But if they forget that they cannot brake in a hurry, it can lead to severe accidents.
An increase in inadvertent collisions
For instance, many boaters will approach the shore or a dock far too quickly. When they cut the throttle, they expect the boat to stop like a car. But instead, it takes time for the water to naturally slow the boat down, or they need to reverse the engine. They are too close to fixed structures and moving far too quickly, so they cannot avoid a crash.There can also be issues when they are operating around other watercraft or swimmers. A boater may see people swimming in the water and try to drive near them to talk to them, but as they get close, they realize they cannot stop in time to avoid striking someone in the water.Similarly, instead of taking evasive action, an inexperienced boater may try to slow down to avoid a collision with another boat. But it can take a significant distance for boats to stop, and a collision could become inevitable. This is especially true with relatively large watercraft, like a pleasure yacht.Misunderstandings over how boats work are common and can lead to serious accidents and injuries. If you have been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation.
]]>On Behalf of Williams DeClark Tuschman Co. L.P.A.<![CDATA[How mislabeled marijuana products can increase Ohio road risks]]>https://www.wdtlaw.org/?p=537362026-07-23T18:43:02Z2026-08-03T14:00:29ZThe hidden threat of the potency gap
Some products can contain significantly higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels than what is stated on the packaging. This can happen due to inconsistent manufacturing, inaccurate testing or misleading marketing.
Even experienced cannabis users can feel overwhelmed if a product is stronger than advertised. This is especially risky before driving because it slows reaction time and affects judgment. Drivers may struggle to spot hazards, stay in their lane or judge distance and speed, which raises the risk of crashes and injuries.
Ohio law and marijuana impairment
In Ohio, operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) applies to marijuana just as it does to alcohol. Even if a driver misjudged their level of intoxication due to mislabeled products, they are still legally responsible for the damages and injuries they cause.
Challenges in accident claims
Unlike alcohol, THC stays in the system long after its most noticeable effects have worn off. This can make it harder to prove active impairment at the time of the crash. You will need strong evidence when building a personal injury case, including:
Police reports
Toxicology results
Medical records
Expert testimonials
Witness statements
Dashcam footage
Together, these materials help paint a clearer picture of what happened during the accident and support your case for seeking compensation.
Seeking justice for your injuries
If you have been hurt by a driver high on marijuana, you should not have to pay for their inability to gauge their own impairment. A lawyer can help protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.]]>On Behalf of Williams DeClark Tuschman Co. L.P.A.<![CDATA[How to identify a drunk driver]]>https://www.wdtlaw.org/?p=537272026-07-23T06:59:01Z2026-07-23T06:59:01ZThousands of operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) citations and arrests are reported in Ohio each year. Toledo accounts for a concerning percentage of this number. Thus, your chances of sharing the road with an impaired driver are high.
Knowing how to spot a potentially drunk driver can help you avoid a serious collision. It’s a core defensive driving skill. Here are a few signs to look out for:
Impaired lane control
If a driver is unable to keep their vehicle safely centered in a single lane, they may be impaired. Weaving, swerving, drifting across lanes/onto the shoulder, unsafe/improper lane changing and straddling the center line are signs of a drunk driver. This is because alcohol impairs judgment, the brain's ability to process visual information and motor skills.
Sudden acceleration and deceleration
An impaired driver finds it difficult to maintain steady speed. Accordingly, they often engage in sudden acceleration and deceleration as well as unnecessary braking. A driver may do so because they are unable to judge distances; they can’t gauge how fast or slow they are going; they unintentionally press the accelerator instead of braking; or they realize they are not paying attention to the road and are overcompensating.
Vigilance problems
You can spot a driver with an impaired ability to maintain sustained attention and observe their surroundings. Examples of signs you may notice include driving at night without headlights, not using turn signals or leaving a signal on long after a turn/lane change, responding slowly to traffic signals, driving the wrong way, unnecessary stopping in the middle of the road and tailgating.When you notice a potentially impaired driver, maintain a safe following distance, pull over if necessary and call 911 to protect other road users. If a drunk driver caused you to sustain injuries in an accident, learn more about your options. ]]>