If you were out for a walk and suddenly struck by a car, you may need the special services of an Ohio pedestrian accident attorney to aid in your recovery. Being involved in any accident can be life changing but that’s especially true when you are involved as a pedestrian. In this article we’ll look at why one of the first things you should do after being in an accident as a pedestrian is to call a pedestrian accident attorney.
Understanding Pedestrian Rights in Ohio
You might have been out walking for exercise, enjoying a sunny day, relieving stress, or on your way to work when, suddenly, the unthinkable happens. To keep pedestrians in Ohio safe, “pedestrian specific” laws have been created. Some of those can be found in this Pedestrian Safety Guide.
It’s important for pedestrians to be aware of those laws. It is also equally important for motorists to understand their responsibilities to pedestrians. For example they need to know if a pedestrian is in a crosswalk who has the right of way according to Ohio law. Read more about Ohio pedestrian accident numbers here.
The Role of a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
The primary responsibility of an Ohio pedestrian accident lawyer is to help you get your life back to normal. They have all of the tools needed to fight for your rights.
A skilled Ohio pedestrian accident attorney will look at more than your immediate needs. They will also consider your long-term recovery as they recommend a course of action for you to take.
This means that after the accident they will look at:
- Your ability to work
- Short and long-term medical needs
- Mental health needs
- Loss of any material items in the accident
- Your overall pain and suffering
There are certain time limits set for taking action on these items after an accident. So if you are involved in an accident you’ll want to search for a “pedestrian accident attorney near me” as soon as you can.
How to Choose the Right Ohio Pedestrian Accident Attorney
After an accident you have so many things to worry about – getting medical help, your ability to work, how to take care of your family, and hiring an attorney. Finding the right lawyer can help you ensure that your best interests are taken care of and you are on the right path for recovery.
There are three key factors you should consider when looking for a pedestrian accident attorney:
- Experience: Just because a lawyer has handled auto accidents before, doesn’t make them an expert in accidents involving pedestrians. There are some specific nuances and needs around a pedestrian accident. It can benefit your specific situation when your legal team has direct experience with those nuances.
- Local Knowledge: Ohio has a number of state laws providing for the safety of pedestrians while on the state’s roadways. This is why it helps to have a locally-knowledgeable lawyer. For example, if you are injured in the state capital you may want to find a Columbus Ohio pedestrian accident attorney. Those who are injured when visiting Cleveland can look for a Cleveland pedestrian accident attorney. Or if you’re involved in an accident in Cincinnati, you’ll want to find a Cincinnati pedestrian accident attorney.
- Track Record: Another thing you will want to do before hiring an Ohio pedestrian accident attorney is to look over their track record. A little bit of extra research up front can give you the confidence to know that you’ve made the right decision. This way you can be sure that you have a true partner in your pursuit to get your life back on track. Here are some topics to consider:
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- What has their history been with pedestrian accident cases?
- Do many of their cases settle?
- Do they go to trial?
- Are their clients happy?
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5 Key Questions to Ask Potential Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Hiring a pedestrian accident attorney doesn’t have to be complicated. These five questions can help ensure you are getting the best lawyer for your case.
- How often do you handle pedestrian accident cases? There is no perfect answer to this question. What is important is that your lawyer has experience with cases such as yours. And that they ended favorably for the victims.
- How much compensation can I get? It’s a natural question after an accident when you have your family, recovery, and regular bills to consider. Until a lawyer understands all of the factors in your case, they will not be able to provide you with a definitive number.
- Should we settle? In some cases, your legal team may advocate for settling your case (vs. going to trial). Settlements can provide you with immediate compensation to pursue your recovery.After reviewing your case thoroughly, your lawyer may advocate for you to take your case to court. While a win in court is never guaranteed, a trial can provide you with an opportunity to be awarded a higher level of compensation.
- What is your fee structure? It will be important to find out how your lawyer makes their money in cases like yours.
- Do they get paid based on the settlement amount? (Also known as getting paid on contingency)
- Do they require a retainer?
- How are potential trial professionals paid for?
- Who pays for filing fees and other similar costs?
Understanding, and being comfortable with, the fee structure before signing a contract helps you avoid surprises when your case concludes.
- How long will this take? The accident was traumatic and destructive to your life. It makes sense that you want to see it concluded. There are a number of factors that go into how long a case lasts, and not all of them are in your legal team’s control.
- Following some accidents, a settlement can be reached quickly.
- All sides may not immediately agree to settlement terms. In this case each side can make further investigations into the cause (and impacts) of the accident.
- If a settlement is not agreed to and the case goes to trial, you will have to work within the court’s time frame. And that’s just to get started. Extensions and other legal tactics can impact the actual day and date of the trial.
In some situations, legal statutes have been established. These provide a time period to file a claim and start a legal process against others involved in the accident.
Skilled Ohio Pedestrian Accident Attorney
The stress and physical pain from being involved in an accident can be almost overwhelming. Having a dedicated, compassionate and experienced Ohio pedestrian accident lawyer can help ease the strain of recovery. The experienced legal team at GSAS have helped pedestrians across Ohio find justice. We serve all of Ohio, including the major cities; Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and everything in between. If you, or a loved one, are involved in an accident, contact GSAS to find out how they can help you as your Ohio pedestrian accident attorney.
