Gile Injury Law2026-11-04T13:03:14Zhttps://www.gileinjury.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1304400/2026/02/cropped-GileInjuryLaw-site-icon-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Gile Injury Law<![CDATA[Is brake checking legal in Ohio?]]>https://www.gileinjury.com/?p=2499912026-11-04T13:03:14Z2026-11-04T13:03:14ZBrake checking is illegal
Generally speaking, the law requires that motorists comport themselves appropriately given traffic conditions. They should make reasonable efforts to communicate with others in traffic, monitor their surroundings and conform to all traffic laws and signage.
Engaging in behavior that obviously increases the risk of a major collision could constitute reckless driving. Motorists accused of brake checking could face partial responsibility for a rear-end crash despite the decision of the other driver to tailgate them. Motorists who believe they experienced brake checking or similar unsafe conduct may have grounds to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit to recover their collision-related losses.
People injured in crashes caused by brake checking can potentially hold an aggressive driver accountable for that inappropriate traffic maneuver. Discussing a recent crash with a personal injury attorney is the best way to understand one’s options available.]]>On Behalf of Gile Injury Law<![CDATA[How do people cover the costs of a semi-truck wreck?]]>https://www.gileinjury.com/?p=2498972026-10-23T14:19:24Z2026-10-23T14:19:24ZInsurance may pay
In cases where negligence or traffic errors on the part of a commercial driver caused to crash, a commercial insurance policy may apply. So long as the police report places blame on the commercial vehicle or its operator, the people affected by the crash may have access to a large commercial insurance policy. These policies generally include at least $750,000 of coverage or more.
The driver or the company could be liable
In some cases, the losses caused by a commercial crash are so extensive that even a large insurance policy proves insufficient. When people sustain catastrophic injuries or someone dies because of a crash, a lawsuit might be necessary to fully recoup all losses. In some cases, the driver may be directly liable for the crash they caused. Other times, their employer may be financially responsible. A lawsuit against the liable party can lead to more complete compensation than an insurance claim.
Assessing the details of a commercial truck crash with a lawyer can help injured people and surviving family members determine what options they have available to them. Depending on the circumstances, a complicated insurance claim or a lawsuit could help people cover their losses.]]>On Behalf of Gile Injury Law<![CDATA[3 reasons autumn is a dangerous time for a bike ride]]>https://www.gileinjury.com/?p=2498862026-10-05T00:12:10Z2026-10-05T00:12:10Z1. Wet pavement
Fall often sees an increase in overall precipitation and compared with the summer. Obviously, cycling during a rainstorm can be quite dangerous. Whenever the pavement is still wet, cyclists are at increased risk of losing control or of encountering a driver who loses control.
2. Road debris
Colorful changing leaves may be beautiful to observe while cycling, but they are very dangerous once they actually fall off the tree. Leaves create a slipping hazard that can lead to a cyclist sliding out or even a driver failing to stop.
3. Inattentive drivers
Motorists need to check for cyclists carefully to avoid hitting them in traffic. Once temperatures drop in the fall, drivers may be less likely to watch for cyclists. When drivers do not intentionally watch for cyclists on the road, their chances of hitting one increase.
Regardless of the season, cyclists hurt on their bicycles may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Analyzing a recent bicycle crash with a legal professional can be a smart move for those injured while cycling, accordingly.]]>On Behalf of Gile Injury Law<![CDATA[3 driving issues that contribute to pedestrian risk]]>https://www.gileinjury.com/?p=2498702026-09-23T23:48:58Z2026-09-23T23:48:58Z1. Drinking and driving
People who are under the influence of alcohol play an outsized role in pedestrian crashes. A substantial portion of pedestrian collisions involve a driver who has consumed or is still consuming alcohol. This can reduce attentiveness and increase reaction times, both of which can endanger pedestrians.
2. Distracted driving
Checking text messages or otherwise interacting with a smartphone while driving -- even if waiting for a green light or while stuck in traffic -- can easily result in people getting hurt. Distracted drivers may not adequately check their surroundings for pedestrians, especially when stopped at intersections. They may then strike people who were clearly visible if they had been paying attention.
3. Speeding
Higher speeds may increase the severity of a pedestrian crash. They also make collisions more likely, as drivers may not have time to slow down and stop.
When a pedestrian crash is clearly the result of unsafe driving, reviewing the circumstances with an experienced attorney can help people explore liability and recoup their losses.]]>On Behalf of Gile Injury Law<![CDATA[What does Ohio law say about turn signal use?]]>https://www.gileinjury.com/?p=2498642026-09-16T14:59:44Z2026-09-16T14:59:44ZTurn signals make traffic predictable
Other drivers may need to slow down, provide more space or delay their own maneuvers based on the intentions of a nearby motorist. Indicating an intent to turn or to merge into another lane of traffic allows everyone nearby, including those approaching the driver and those behind them, to reasonably predict their next move.
As such, current Ohio statutes generally require that people activate their turn signals 100 feet before they intend to merge into another lane of traffic or turn. The failure to do so can result in completely preventable crashes. Those injured in wrecks related to a driver's failure to use a turn signal can potentially use that failure to show the other driver was at fault.
A failure to comply with traffic statutes can lead to liability, not just the risk of a ticket. Drivers who break the law are often culpable if they cause crashes. Working with a personal injury attorney can help people review motor vehicle collision circumstances and prove that another driver was at fault for their harm.]]>On Behalf of Gile Injury Law<![CDATA[Can a personal injury settlement impact Medicaid benefits?]]>https://www.gileinjury.com/?p=2498612026-09-16T07:03:35Z2026-09-16T07:03:35ZHow does Medicaid decide who qualifies?
Medicaid is a need-based program. To qualify, your income and assets must stay below a set limit. In Ohio, a single individual can hold no more than $2,000 in countable assets. Countable assets include bank account balances, stocks, bonds, cash and most real estate beyond your primary home.
Monthly income must stay below the 138% federal poverty threshold. For elderly, blind or disabled individuals, Ohio applies the stricter Supplemental Security Income (SSI) income standard instead.
Why does a settlement put your Medicaid benefits at risk?
Ohio law requires Medicaid recipients to report financial changes within 10 days. A personal injury settlement qualifies as one of those changes. Once reported, Ohio Medicaid first treats the settlement as income for that month. Any remaining unspent funds then become a countable asset. This two-stage review is what makes personal injury settlements particularly risky for Medicaid recipients.
What happens when your settlement exceeds the limit?
When your assets go above the Medicaid limit, the state can suspend your coverage. That suspension lasts until your assets fall back below $2,000. Some people assume they can spend or give away the funds to get back under the limit. However, Ohio Medicaid reviews asset transfers made within the past 60 months. Giving away or selling assets below their actual value can cause a loss of coverage.
What are ways to protect your medicaid benefits?
Losing Medicaid coverage after receiving a settlement is not inevitable. Ohio law provides several options that can help you protect your benefits:
Special Needs Trust (SNT): Assets placed in a properly structured SNT do not count toward Medicaid's asset limits. This allows your settlement to support your needs without affecting your coverage
Spending down on exempt assets: Allows use of excess funds on exempt assets such as home repairs or a vehicle, without triggering a loss of benefits
ABLE accounts: Individuals who developed a qualifying disability before age 46 can save up to $100,000 without affecting Medicaid eligibility
Each of these options comes with specific legal requirements. The appropriate choice depends on the specific circumstances of your case.
Planning ahead to protect Medicaid benefits
Receiving a personal injury settlement can bring financial relief after an accident. However, it may also change your Medicaid eligibility. Since settlement funds can affect income and asset limits, it is important to understand their potential impact. With careful planning, you can preserve your access to essential healthcare while making the most of your settlement.]]>On Behalf of Gile Injury Law<![CDATA[When a crash causes a degloving injury]]>https://www.gileinjury.com/?p=2498412026-08-22T13:15:55Z2026-08-22T13:15:55ZWhat causes a degloving injury?
Degloving injuries are caused by friction and other forms of physical pressure exerted on the body during a crash. For example, a person thrown from a vehicle may sustain a degloving injury when they make contact with the pavement. Degloving separates the skin and its sublayers from the tissue underneath.
Closed degloving injuries do not cause any blood loss and can be difficult to identify after a crash. Open degloving injuries, where the trauma to the skin causes open wounds, can be easier to identify. Degloving injuries expose people to the risk of infection and the possibility of developing compartment syndrome.
Injured people may sustain nerve damage and could be at risk of going into shock. Degloving injuries can be costly to treat. They can also cause lasting medical complications that affect a person's quality of life and ability to continue working.
Securing appropriate treatment for a degloving injury and then reviewing collision records with a lawyer can be helpful for those with these catastrophic injuries. Insurance alone may not be enough to cover lifetime costs, making a lawsuit necessary in some cases. People with support have a better chance of successfully pursuing compensation for their car crash injuries accordingly.]]>On Behalf of Gile Injury Law<![CDATA[Why roundabouts have become more common around Cincinnati]]>https://www.gileinjury.com/?p=2498372026-08-07T23:42:08Z2026-08-07T23:42:08Zredesigning intersections to be roundabouts. Roundabouts have become relatively common, and their use is likely to expand in the near future.
Why are roundabouts safer?
A substantial portion of all crashes take place at intersections. Both violations of traffic statutes and the failure to properly monitor surroundings can lead to people causing collisions at intersections. Roundabouts help reduce both risks.
Most people do not need to come to a full stop when approaching a roundabout, which can reduce the risk of them overtly breaking the rules. The flow of traffic in one direction instead of vehicles moving in multiple different directions also reduces the likelihood of a crash occurring. Municipal planners and similar professionals in Cincinnati and adjacent communities have embraced the idea that roundabouts can potentially save lives and may even limit traffic congestion.
Despite the best efforts of local authorities, car crashes are still part of daily life. When people get hurt in collisions, they may need assistance as they negotiate an insurance claim or prepare for a personal injury lawsuit. Partnering with an attorney is often a smart decision for those with major injuries and other losses after a serious car crash.]]>On Behalf of Gile Injury Law<![CDATA[What can black box data tell victims after a truck wreck?]]>https://www.gileinjury.com/?p=2498352026-08-04T17:28:11Z2026-08-04T17:28:11ZCommercial trucks are equipped with technology that can provide everyone affected with valuable information after a serious collision. Often referred to as a "black box," an event data recorder captures certain operational information about a truck before, during and sometimes immediately after a crash. For accident victims, this electronic evidence can play an important role in determining what happened and who may be held responsible for their harm. Black box data may reveal a truck's speed leading up to the collision, whether its driver applied the brakes, throttle position, engine performance and other vehicle operations. Depending on the nature of a specific truck and its recording system, crash data may also indicate sudden changes in speed, steering inputs or the timing of certain driver actions. This information can help investigators compare the electronic evidence with witness statements and the physical evidence at the scene.In many trucking accidents, one of the central questions is whether the driver had enough time to avoid the collision. Black box information may help determine whether the driver attempted to brake, whether the truck was traveling above a safe speed or whether there were signs of delayed reactions before impact.Electronic data can also help uncover broader safety issues. When combined with electronic logging device records, maintenance documents, inspection reports and dispatch communications, investigators may identify problems involving driver fatigue, inadequate vehicle maintenance or company policies that contributed to the crash.
It’s important to preserve data right away
Timing is critical when seeking this evidence. Trucking companies may not be required to preserve electronic data indefinitely, and some systems overwrite information after a certain period or continued vehicle operation. Working with a skilled legal team can help victims to take prompt legal steps to request that relevant evidence is preserved before it is lost or destroyed.]]>On Behalf of Gile Injury Law<![CDATA[When car crashes cause dental injuries ]]>https://www.gileinjury.com/?p=2498292026-07-19T16:01:18Z2026-07-19T16:01:18ZDamage to the teeth and jaw is all too common in the aftermath of serious collisions. A person's face may strike the steering wheel, dashboard, airbag, window or another object during a crash, resulting in painful and expensive dental injuries that require extensive treatment.
Dental trauma can take many forms. Teeth may chip, crack or break completely on impact. In more severe cases, teeth may be knocked out entirely or pushed out of position. Injuries to the jaw, gums and surrounding soft tissue are also common. Some accident victims suffer fractures to the jawbone or damage to the temporomandibular joint, commonly known as the TMJ, which can affect chewing, speaking and everyday comfort.
Managing the aftermath of an injurious crash
Dental treatment can be costly and may continue for years. Depending on the severity of the injury at issue, an individual may require fillings, crowns, root canals, implants, oral surgery or orthodontic treatment. Some injuries require ongoing care or future replacement of dental work as the patient ages.Insurance companies sometimes underestimate the long-term impact of dental trauma, particularly when injuries are viewed as cosmetic rather than functional. In reality, damaged teeth and jaw injuries can affect eating, speaking, appearance and overall quality of life.These costs should not be overlooked when evaluating a personal injury claim. Compensation may include medical expenses, dental treatment costs, lost wages and pain and suffering resulting from the injuries. Future anticipated dental care may also be considered when calculating damages.When car accidents cause dental injuries, victims deserve compensation that reflects both the immediate and long-term effects of the harm they have suffered. An experienced legal team can work with dental professionals and medical experts to ensure that all injuries are fully considered.]]>