Legal Question in DUI Law in Ohio

I hit a drunk driver who made an illegal turn. My car was totaled! It was a 1995 Olds Achieva in almost mint condition. They gave me $2000.00. To settle the claim his lawyer wants to give me $1500.00 which I think is way to low. Since my car was worth to me 6 grand, how much of a monetary value do you think I should ask for?


Asked on 4/24/14, 8:15 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Eric Willison Eric Eastman Willison

In Ohio, if you sue the driver at fault, the court is going to give you what the car was worth at the time it was totaled. You can generally find out the value for a car from Kelly Blue Book, though going back to 1995 might be difficult with them. Another way would be to look on craigslist and/or ebay to see what the same vehicle in similar condition might be going for. But you will never get sentimental value to a car (let's say it was your grandfather's and you recall going to baseball games in it).

If you had any personal injuries, of course that would be something you would also want to be compensated for. You could also speak to the prosecutor in the OVI case and tell him what restitution means to you. A judge is within his/her power to order someone convicted of OVI to pay for the damage done.

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Answered on 4/24/14, 9:07 am


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