If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident in Toledo, you may be dealing with a tough recovery and growing financial pressures. A Toledo pedestrian accident lawyer from our personal injury law firm will work to secure the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on healing. Call us for a free case evaluation.
In this Article
What Traffic Laws Protect Pedestrian Safety in Ohio?
In the years since 2020, over 100 pedestrians were killed in Ohio accidents annually. 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 Toledo 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.
An experienced attorney can gather evidence (like medical records and traffic camera footage), consult with experts (like accident reconstruction specialists), identify negligent parties, and negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement. Most cases settle during negotiations, but if yours doesn’t, your Toledo pedestrian injury lawyers can file a lawsuit in court.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Toledo, Ohio
Due to their lack of protection, injured victims suffer more severe injuries that include soft tissue injuries, broken bones, head injuries (including traumatic brain injuries), pelvic injuries, spinal cord injuries, or emotional trauma.
Many pedestrian accidents happen because of distracted driving, like cellphone use. Other common causes include drivers failing to yield the right-of-way, not complying with traffic signals, speeding, or driving recklessly. Impaired driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, malfunctioning traffic signals, and poor visibility from bad weather also contribute to these incidents.
What to Do When Pedestrian Accidents Occur in Toledo, OH
Pedestrian accidents can have life-altering consequences. When a pedestrian is struck due to a motorist’s negligence:
- 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 pedestrian-auto 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 Toledo?
At-fault parties can include negligent drivers—driver negligence can include driving distracted, failing to yield, or speeding. Other liable parties may include 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 the responsible party—as long as your fault is 50% or less. Your financial 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 Accident Victims Recover Fair Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
Under Ohio personal injury law, injured pedestrians who prove negligence can seek compensation—both economic and non-economic damages—for medical bills (including hospital, doctor, and physical therapy costs), 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 Toledo Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
After a serious pedestrian-car 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 (such as permanent disability), 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 case according to the Ohio statute of limitations. Filing a claim after two years may bar recovery.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm Today
When pedestrian accidents happen, our legal team is here to help. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, after you receive medical attention, contact our Toledo pedestrian accident lawyers.
We offer a free consultation for pedestrian injury victims. We can discuss your case and explain the legal process. Our law office works on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay attorney fees unless we win your pedestrian accident case.