Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Columbus, OH

Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Columbus, OH

Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Columbus, OH

From 2017 to 2021 there were 14,466 pedestrian-involved accidents in Ohio, resulting in 847 pedestrian deaths. Pedestrians are completely defenseless compared to car drivers on roadways, and negligent driving can often have devasting results for pedestrians.

Pedestrians can experience severe injuries, from fractured bones to traumatic brain injuries, after even small collisions with a vehicle. It is a vehicle operator’s responsibility to obey rules of the road and diligently avoid collisions of any kind. Failure to do this can have dire consequences for pedestrians who are particularly vulnerable.

After you or a loved one have been harmed in a vehicle-pedestrian related accident, healing from injuries should be your priority. Medical bills and lost wages from time spent healing can negatively impact your life. Emotional and mental trauma following a collision can have a detrimental impact on your ability to work, be productive or fully participate in the things you used to love.

Speaking to Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Columbus, OH may allow you to recover some of the damages you incurred after a driver’s negligence resulted in your injuries. The experienced lawyers at the Buckeye Law Group work with people from all walks of life and will fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve.

Ohio Pedestrian Rights

Pedestrian rights remain consistent in most states in the United States. In Ohio, pedestrians have the right-of-way when crossing a street if there are no vehicles present. This remains true if there is no signal on the crosswalk, but not every incident is clear cut. Some people involved in pedestrian accidents may find themselves wondering if they might be in the wrong.

There are a few instances where a driver wouldn’t be considered liable (or not primarily liable) for a collision with a pedestrian. A driver wouldn’t be considered liable for a pedestrian’s injuries if the pedestrian behaves recklessly, and it would have been unreasonable to expect the driver to avoid the pedestrian.

An example of this would be if the pedestrian suddenly ran out into the street or if there was inclement weather like rain or fog and the pedestrian was wearing dark clothing while crossing in the middle of the street. If the driver could not see a pedestrian who was crossing the street illegally and did not have time to stop or safely get out of the way, they might not be found to be liable.

Pedestrians are expected to follow traffic laws, but drivers still have a responsibility to avoid an accident, even if the pedestrian wasn’t necessarily adhering to the letter of the law.

Ohio uses comparative negligence doctrine, which means that if you are less than 50 percent responsible for an accident you can still collect damages. If you were injured while jaywalking in broad daylight and the driver could have avoided you, the driver will be mostly liable, even if you may share some culpability.

There is a myriad of circumstances that can lead to a pedestrian car accident. Each accident is unique and personal to the individuals involved, which is why it’s vital to choose Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Columbus, OH that understand how best to represent you when you file a personal injury claim after a collision. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the easier it will be for them to collect and examine all the evidence in your case and help you prove liability.