If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident in Columbus, you may be dealing with a tough recovery and growing financial pressures. A Columbus pedestrian accident lawyer from our personal injury law firm will work to secure the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on healing.
What Traffic Laws Protect Pedestrian Safety in Ohio?
Ohio law—the Ohio Revised Code (ORC)—governs pedestrian safety, detailing duties for drivers and pedestrians. Drivers must yield at marked crosswalks, stop for visually impaired pedestrians, and exercise due care to avoid collisions (even with jaywalkers). Pedestrians must use sidewalks when available, yield to vehicles when crossing outside crosswalks, and follow traffic signals.
Do I Need a Columbus Pedestrian Accident Attorney?
If a pedestrian’s serious or catastrophic injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, they can pursue compensation with a pedestrian accident claim.
A Columbus personal injury attorney can gather evidence (like medical records and traffic camera footage), consult with experts (for things like accident reconstruction), identify negligent parties, and negotiate with the insurance company for maximum compensation. Most cases settle during negotiations, but if yours doesn’t, your Columbus injury lawyers can file a lawsuit in court.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Columbus, Ohio
Common injuries can include minor and more severe injuries (such as head injuries and traumatic brain injuries), broken bones, pelvic injuries, or spinal cord injuries.
Many pedestrian accidents result from:
- Distracted driving (like cellphone use)
- Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way or comply with traffic signals
- Speeding or driving recklessly
- Impaired driving (under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
- Malfunctioning traffic signals
- Poor visibility caused by bad weather
What to Do When Pedestrian Accidents Occur in Columbus, OH
Pedestrian accidents can have life-altering consequences. When such an accident happens:
- Get prompt medical care for injuries sustained and keep records of your medical expenses.
- Call 911 to report the incident at the accident scene. Obtain a copy of the police report.
- Don’t admit fault or post about the accident on social media.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the driver.
- Collect witness statements and take photos of the scene and your injuries.
- Contact our Ohio pedestrian accident law firm for legal representation.
Who Is Liable for Pedestrian Crashes in Columbus?
Liability for pedestrian crashes in Columbus depends on proving negligence. At-fault parties can include negligent drivers (most often liable for failing to yield, speeding, or driving distracted), government entities (for unsafe road conditions), commercial employers (for crashes involving company vehicles), property owners (for hazards like obstructed views), and pedestrians themselves (for jaywalking, ignoring signals, or darting into oncoming traffic).
What If I Was Partially to Blame for the Pedestrian-Motor Vehicle Collision in Ohio?
Ohio uses a comparative negligence rule, allowing you to recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault—as long as your fault is 50% or less. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re over 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages in a personal injury claim.
Can an Injured Person Recover Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
Under Ohio personal injury law, injured pedestrians can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, emotional or physical pain and suffering, and more. In fatal pedestrian injury cases, we can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
How Much Is My Columbus Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
After a serious accident with an at-fault driver, our attorneys evaluate a pedestrian or wrongful death case considering factors such as economic damages, the severity of injuries, the cost of medical treatment, lost income, emotional suffering, and available insurance coverage.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit?
Pedestrians normally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit according to the Ohio statute of limitations.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a pedestrian accident caused by negligence or recklessness, contact our Columbus pedestrian accident lawyers.
We offer a free consultation for pedestrian accident victims. We can discuss your case and explain the legal process. We operate on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay attorney fees unless we win your legal claim.
(312) 223-1700