Do you need a Columbus Ohio pedestrian accident attorney? Given that the number of pedestrians injured in accidents is at a 40-year high, the answer could well be yes. In this article we’ll look at how finding the right legal partners can help you protect your rights.
The Data Auto and Pedestrian Accidents in Columbus
- Pedestrian deaths from auto accidents are at a five-year high in the metropolitan Columbus area.
- The CDC reports that, nationwide, motor vehicle accidents lead to one pedestrian death every 66 minutes.
- Across the country, more than 100,000 pedestrians visited an emergency room with non-fatal injuries from motor-vehicle accidents in 2020.
Sadly reckless, negligent drivers are putting pedestrians in serious danger.
Understanding Ohio Pedestrian Laws
Depending on where you are and the circumstances involved in your situation, the law may work for or against you as you attempt to protect your rights after an accident. At Spivak and Sakellariou, our attorneys have decades of experience with personal injury cases and can help you navigate these complicated legal waters.
Here is an overview of the relevant Ohio pedestrian laws. When you call, we will walk you through how they apply to your case.
Ohio’s Pedestrian Laws
Understanding the different laws for Ohio’s pedestrians does two things.
- Helps keep you safe on your walk.
- Helps you protect your rights in case of an accident.
In many cases, like when you are using a crosswalk, the pedestrian has the right-of-way. However, in other situations, the motor vehicle has the right-of-way. This happens when:
- There is a marked crosswalk but the pedestrian is walking outside of it
- A tunnel or overhead crosswalk is available but the pedestrian does not use it
- A funeral procession is in route
- An emergency vehicle is on it’s way to a destination
3 Steps to Take to Protect Your Rights
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident in Columbus there are 3 steps you should take.
1. Choose a pedestrian accident lawyer in Columbus Ohio
The sooner you call a pedestrian accident attorney near you to talk about your accident, the better. Insurance companies have many “tricks of the trade” to keep you from receiving the compensation you deserve. If you don’t know what’s coming, you can’t protect the rights of you or your family.
What you should expect
Your first meeting with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Columbus Ohio should be comfortable, compassionate, and educational.
At GSAS, your initial consultation will be all of those things. And it will be free. In that first visit our experienced legal team will:
- Get to know you and your family
- Review the facts of your case
- Determine how we can best help you get what you are owed
2. Defending your role in the accident
Ohio uses Comparative Fault when looking at who had responsibility for an accident. This means:
- Percentages of fault will be assigned to every person involved in a pedestrian accident in Ohio.
- The amount of damages that you can recover are reduced depending on your level of fault.
- If the fault you are assigned is 51% (or higher) you will not receive any compensation for your injuries.
51% becomes the target number for the insurance companies fighting against you. The job of an effective Columbus Ohio pedestrian accident attorney is to stop insurance companies from hitting that number.
3. Choosing to make a claim or to settle
Your case will likely take one of two paths: making a claim or agreeing to a settlement.
Making a claim
A claim can be:
- Settled out of court with insurance companies
- Taken to court
The partners at Spivak and Sakellariou are not just skilled and experienced negotiators, but also trial lawyers with decades of experience.
Their goal is to help you get what you deserve and move on with your life without the unfair financial burdens that can make it difficult to recover.
Agreeing to a settlement
The amount of compensation you can receive after an accident often depends on the amount of fault that each involved party is assigned. An insurance company will try to argue that the percentage of fault falling on your shoulders is as high as possible to lower the amount they owe. If you don’t have a deep understanding of the nuances of Ohio law, it can be difficult to argue those percentages.
Our attorneys have been solely focused on personal injury cases like yours since our firm was founded. We’ve negotiated thousands of settlements for our clients and have a proven track record of results and satisfied clients.
Call Your Columbus Ohio Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
At GSAS, experience has taught us that every case is different. That’s why we will tailor our service to best matches your needs, your goals, and your specific circumstances. A Columbus Ohio pedestrian accident attorney at GSAS is ready to help you protect your rights now and work to recover what you are owed.
