Approximately 5,376 pedestrians were killed (18% of all traffic fatalities) and 70,000 pedestrians suffered injuries in traffic accidents in 2015 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is because pedestrians are completely defenseless when hit by negligent drivers; and accordingly, suffer a catastrophic injury, or even death. At Tittle & Perlmuter, we have experienced pedestrian accident lawyers ready to pursue your claim. To discuss your case or learn more about a claim, consult with our injury attorneys today.
Seek Medical Attention
Pedestrian accidents have the potential to result in very serious injuries. If you have suffered any type of injury in a collision, you need to get yourself to a physician for an immediate, in-depth medical evaluation. You will only be able to pursue a claim if you have seen a doctor.
Report the Accident
Under Ohio law, all motor vehicle accidents that result in injuries must be reported to state or local highway enforcement officers. If you were hurt in a pedestrian crash, your accident should be reported. It is strongly in your interest to make sure that an officer is notified of the crash.
Get Information
To the best of your ability, you should attempt to secure evidence at the scene of your accident. This includes information from the at fault driver, witness contact information, and any other relevant evidence that you can obtain.
Contact an Attorney
Your pedestrian accident injuries claim should always be handled by a top-rated attorney. Do not speak to representatives from any opposing insurance company until after you have already consulted with your lawyer.
Compensation for Getting Hit By a Car
When a pedestrian accident occurs, he or she has the same right to seek financial compensation as any motorist. Just like other accidents involving motor vehicles, it is important to hire an experienced and knowledgeable local lawyer who is aware of the liability issues in walker accidents, and has the ability to conduct a prompt investigation of the accident and your injuries, and will work tirelessly to obtain the compensation you are entitled.
Tittle & Perlmuter can do just that.
What are the Risks for Pedestrians?
Northeast Ohio sees more than its fair share of serious pedestrian accidents. Unfortunately, there are far too many careless and reckless drivers on our state’s roadways. A pedestrian collision can happen at any place, and at any time. That being said, there are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of a major these incidents. Specifically, the most notable risk factors include street crossings, nighttime, and urban areas.
- Street crossings: The Ohio Department of Public Safety reports that nearly 8 in 10 pedestrian collisions occur while a person is crossing the street. When you are crossing the street, please always be extremely careful. Whenever possible, please cross at marked crosswalks.
- Nighttime: More than half of all fatal pedestrian crashes in Ohio occur at night. This is a striking statistic because the vast majority of driving (and walking) is done during the day. When visibility is impaired, whether due to lack of light or due to poor weather conditions, pedestrians need to take additional safety precautions.
- Urban areas: Unsurprisingly, urban areas are high-risk locations for pedestrian accidents. If you are walking in Cleveland, be careful on the city street. Do not assume that an oncoming driver will act in a safe manner. Stay alert and protect yourself.
Common Causes of Crosswalk Collisions
Our lawyers have handled numerous pedestrian accident cases, including the following:
- Speeding – the higher the speed, the higher the likelihood of a severe pedestrian injury.
- Intoxicated or drunk driving
- Running red lights and hitting pedestrians in the crosswalk
- Right turns through crosswalks without looking for pedestrians
- Distracted driving, such as driving while talking on a cell phone or texting
- Low light conditions
Our pedestrian injury lawyers are well versed in investigating the cause of the accident and prosecuting a case in order to prove your case. However, because a Statute of Limitations applies to each case, victims of a pedestrian accident have a limited time frame in which to settle or file their case, or their claims may be forever barred.
Who is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?
Ohio is an ‘at-fault’ car insurance jurisdiction. In order to hold a driver legally responsible for your pedestrian accident injuries, you must be able to prove that the driver’s negligence was a factor in causing your accident. Unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes attempt to deny injured pedestrian compensation on the grounds that the victim was liable for their own injuries. Do not let yourself get unfairly blamed for the accident. Under the comparative negligence rules, getting blamed for even a small percentage of your accident can substantially reduce your ability to recover money for your injuries. At Tittle & Perlmuter, our experienced pedestrian injury attorneys can help assemble the evidence in a compelling manner to help prove liability in their accident and hold the negligent driver accountable.
How Can Tittle & Perlmuter Help?
In a collision between a car and a pedestrian, the results are almost always catastrophic. Pedestrians have no protections, and accordingly, are at the mercy of the vehicle operator. Common injuries that result from these accidents are the following:
- Severe head trauma
- Brain damage
- Leg injuries
- Spinal cord injury
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Amputations
- Disfigurement
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
If you or a loved one has suffered any of these injuries in a pedestrian accident, Tittle & Perlmuter can help. If you choose to retain Tittle & Perlmuter, we will fight for you to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other harm you have suffered.
When you’ve been injured after getting hit by a car, you need to focus on getting better. However, the insurance company may be nagging you relentlessly. Don’t talk to them. Let us handle that, you focus on healing.
How a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help
Pedestrian accident lawyers at Tittle & Perlmuter fight so you receive the compensation you deserve. We are more than happy to listen to the facts of your case and advise on the best course of action for free. That’s right – consultations are always free.
The more time passes between the accident and the date your lawsuit is filed, the less likely we are to be able to fight and win for you. DO NOT WAIT to call us so we can maximize the likelihood of your success and earn you the compensation you deserve. There is NO FEE until we WIN, so let our attorneys guide you through the process and, if you like, pursue the best possible outcome for your case with everything in our power. We will take care of everything from the moment you pick up the phone and call us, educating you about case strategy and what to expect, while we do everything we possibly can to get you the result you’re looking for. Call us now!
