Watch Video The fireworks are over, the coolers are packed, and half of Cincinnati seems to be pointed toward the interstate. Mid-summer is the heart of road trip season — the stretch between the Fourth of July and Labor Day when families load up the SUV for the lake, the mountains, the beach, or a long weekend three states away. It's also one of the most dangerous times of the year to be on the road. Safety researchers call the weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day the "100 Deadliest Days" for a reason. Highways are packed with vacation traffic, unfamiliar drivers, construction detours, and more than a few people who started their celebration a little too early. Add in tired drivers pushing through a long haul, heavy trucks moving summer freight, and motorcycles out in force, and the odds of a serious crash climb sharply. If the worst happens while you're traveling, one question tends to hit first — even before the tow truck arrives: "I'm hundreds of miles from home. Who do I even call?" The answer is simpler than you'd think. You call us. Your Accident Doesn't Have to Happen at Home for Us to Help A lot of people assume that if they get hurt in a crash outside of Cincinnati — on I-75 heading south, on a back road near a rented cabin, or in a parking lot at a theme park two states over — they have to find a local attorney in an [...]

A California jury delivered a historic verdict on March 25, 2026, finding Meta and Google’s YouTube negligent in the design and operation of their social media platforms. The jury determined that both companies’ negligence was a substantial factor in causing mental health harm to the plaintiff, a young woman identified by her initials K.G.M., who began using Instagram and YouTube as a child. The jury awarded $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta bearing 70% of the responsibility and YouTube the remaining 30%. What Happened in This Case The plaintiff, now 20 years old, alleged that she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube beginning at ages 9 and 6, respectively. She described spending all day on the platforms and experiencing an emotional rush from likes and notifications that kept her glued to her phone. Her legal team argued that the platforms were deliberately designed to be addictive, and that the companies knew their products were harming young users but prioritized profits over safety. The seven-week trial featured testimony from addiction experts, therapists, platform engineers, and high-profile executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri. The plaintiff’s attorneys presented internal Meta documents showing the company’s efforts to attract and retain young users. Jurors deliberated for nearly 44 hours over nine days before returning their verdict. Notably, the jury also found that the companies acted with malice, oppression, or fraud, meaning the trial will proceed to a punitive damages phase where additional penalties could be assessed based on each [...]

As we watch the snow pile up across Cincinnati this weekend, the beauty of a white winter quickly turns into a headache for commuters and homeowners alike. With the sudden heavy accumulation, we've been asked at Godbey Law LLC about responsibility. Whether you are digging out your driveway in Hyde Park or dodging "snow missiles" on I-75, it is critical to understand your legal obligations under Ohio law and Cincinnati Municipal Code. Here is what you need to know to protect yourself, both physically and legally. 1. The Sidewalk Rule: The "4-Hour" Clock is Ticking Many Cincinnatians are surprised to learn just how strict the city ordinance is regarding sidewalks. The Law: According to Cincinnati Municipal Code § 723-57, if you own or control a building or lot, you are required to remove snow from the sidewalk. The law is very specific on the timing: you must clear the snow "within the first four hours after daylight after the ceasing to fall of any snow." The Consequences: The Fine: Technically, failure to comply can result in a fine. While it is currently capped at a nominal $25, the real risk isn't the ticket from the city—it’s the civil liability. Civil Liability (The "Slip and Fall" Risk): Ohio law generally follows the "No Duty" rule for natural accumulations of snow and ice. This means if a neighbor slips on your sidewalk because of normal snowfall you didn't touch, you are often not liable because winter weather is considered an open and [...]

Several serious crashes in our own backyard over the last couple of weeks are a sobering reminder of how vulnerable people on bikes are and how quickly a normal ride can turn into a life-altering event. On Friday evening, Oct. 3, 2025, a 13-year-old Lakota/Liberty Junior High student was struck by an SUV while riding his bike in Liberty Township. Multiple outlets reported the boy was hit near Cincinnati-Dayton and Linn Roads and transported to UC Medical Center; he remains in critical condition as the community rallies around him. But that wasn't the only recent incident for local bicyclists. Recent Bicycle Accidents OCTOBER 5th - Colerain Township hit-and-run: A 15-year-old Moeller High School student died after being hit by a vehicle while riding his bicycle early on October 5th. The vehicle was located later that night, and the driver has been identified, but the crash remains under investigation. OCTOBER 3rd - Liberty Township collision: A 7th grader was hit by an SUV while riding his bike on Cincinnati-Dayton Road and was critically injured. SEPTEMBER 25th - Glenway Avenue hit-and-run: A woman on an e-bike was hit by a vehicle pulling out of a driveway, and the driver fled the scene. The incident was caught on a nearby business's security camera As a Cincinnati law firm that has handled hundreds of injury claims, including cases for cyclists and their families, Godbey Law LLC extends our support to the student, his family, and the Lakota community. Below, we break down the local [...]