Pedestrian Accidents

Choose an Experienced Columbus Pedestrian Accident Attorney to Handle Your Claim

If you are struck by a car, your injuries may be debilitating. It's wise to talk to an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Columbus, Ohio, who knows how to pursue maximum compensation. Don't let the insurance companies push you around by limiting or denying your claim altogether. Take back control. Contact the Smith Law Office. Let a Columbus pedestrian injury lawyer fight for the rights of you or your loved one. We know about dealing with insurance companies. We know about getting justice. We know about getting results!

Pedestrians who are walking in a crosswalk, or running alongside of the road generally are not liable if they are struck by a car. Pedestrians in a marked crosswalk or other walkway have the right to pass safely. A distracted driver might fail to stop for the pedestrian in the crosswalk and cause a cell phone/texting accident. Even at low speeds, an automobile that hits a pedestrian can cause severe injury or even kill a pedestrian, which may be grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. A traumatic brain injury caused by the head striking the pavement or windshield of the vehicle is tragic but unfortunately not uncommon in a pedestrian accident.

Common locations in Ohio for a pedestrian accident include:

Parking lots
Intersections
Parking garages
Residential streets
Commercial or residential driveways
Crosswalks
Venues that attract crowds, such as sporting events or concerts

Whether you are an injured pedestrian or a passenger, you may be eligible for compensation. Let Scott Elliot Smith fight for you! He has more than thirty years of experience and will examine the facts and demand a fair and just reward for your suffering.

Why do pedestrian accidents happen?

Pedestrians often sustain serious injuries in accidents caused by reckless or negligent drivers. Whether it’s pedestrians crossing the street in a crosswalk on John Herrick Drive in Columbus or walking alongside a road in another community in Franklin County, all it takes is one small mistake by a driver to cause serious or even fatal pedestrian accident.

Specific reasons why pedestrian accidents happen include:

Distracted drivers not paying attention, including texting while driving, which is against the law in Ohio.
Speeding drivers who don’t have time to slow down and avoid a collision with a pedestrian.
Reckless drivers who pass other vehicles illegally, including cars stopped at a crosswalk or for a school bus.
Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Whatever the circumstances of your pedestrian accident, make sure you take your case seriously right from the start. Make sure you talk to a Columbus pedestrian accident lawyer who can help you demand the money you rightfully deserve.

Who pays for damages for pedestrian accidents?

Damages is a legal term used to describe the financial compensation paid by the at-fault party to injury victims when negligence has occurred. In pedestrian accident claims, this responsibility usually falls on the driver who caused the accident and their insurance company.

This might sound straightforward. But actually getting the money you rightfully deserve can often be a challenge in pedestrian accident cases. The driver who caused your injury might deny doing anything wrong. Or the driver’s insurance company might insist that your injuries are not that bad.

You know you were seriously injured. You know how much your accident has changed your life. That’s why it’s critical that you take a stand and demand the damages you deserve for injury-related expenses. That’s why you need the Smith Law Office on your side.

How much is my injury claim worth?

There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to pedestrian accident claims. Sometimes, your claim might be worth a few thousand dollars. Other times, you might be eligible to receive a lot more money.

The bottom line is you should be paid for all your injury-related expenses. What you might not realize is just how many expenses your injury claim might involve. This includes:

All past, present and future medical expenses, including emergency medical care, surgical procedures, physical therapy and follow-up doctor’s appointments.
Replacement income if you cannot work while you’re recovering from your injury.
Lost future income if you cannot return to work due to a permanent disability.
Pain and suffering in certain circumstances.

Don’t settle for less than you rightfully deserve. Talk to a lawyer and learn more about the legal options available in Ohio.

Can I file a pedestrian accident lawsuit?

The short answer? Yes. You have the right to file a lawsuit seeking damages (financial compensation) for your pedestrian injury. And in many cases, this might be the best way to get the money you deserve for injury claim. Some of the reasons why you might want to consider filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit include:

The at-fault driver’s insurance company made a lowball settlement offer that does not cover all your injury-related expenses.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith and will not increase their settlement offer.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company denies your injury claim.
You believe the best way to get the money you rightfully deserve is by taking legal action and taking your case to court.

Keep in mind that you only have a limited amount of time to take legal action. In Ohio, this deadline (known as the statute of limitations) is two years from the date of your injury, according to Ohio Revised Code, Section 2305.10. Don’t miss out on your opportunity for justice. Talk to an Ohio attorney right away about your pedestrian accident.

How a Columbus Pedestrian Accident Can Help

It can take a long time to recover from injuries suffered in a pedestrian accident. Victims may require surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, medication and home health care. Some victims are left permanently disabled. The costs of medical treatment can become overwhelming very quickly.

Scott Elliot Smith determines the total amount of damages you have suffered. This includes all past and future medical expenses for treatment of your injuries. It also includes lost wages if you are unable to work. There may be other damages as well, such as disability, disfigurement, emotional distress and pain and suffering.

Our legal team builds a strong case that the insurance company can't ignore. Scott Elliot Smith fights to get you the financial compensation you deserve. Sometimes, he is able to do this through a negotiated settlement with the insurance company. But if the insurance company is not willing to negotiate a settlement that works for you, he will take them to court.

At the Smith Law Office, we are ready to provide the aggressive representation injured Ohioans need. Contact our firm today for a free consultation. As part of our contingency fee arrangement, you don't pay us any attorney fees unless you obtain a recovery. Call 614-874-1056 for your free consultation today.