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Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are involved in or killed in pedestrian accidents. Unfortunately, these often preventable incidents are far too common here in Ohio.
Unlike drivers, pedestrians are not protected by seatbelts or airbags in the event of a crash, meaning even a minor accident can result in serious and life-changing injuries. Pedestrians involved may be entitled to compensation, especially if the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence.
Pedestrian Accidents in Ohio
By the Numbers
Though Ohio currently has the 11th lowest pedestrian fatality rate (per population) of all 50 states, we’re far from eradicating the issue. Read below for a few statistics regarding pedestrian accidents:
- From 2009 to 2018, Ohio experienced 1,101 fatal pedestrian crashes and 5,073 serious injury pedestrian crashes.
- FSI (fatal and serious injury) pedestrian crashes in Ohio are on the rise, with an average increase of approximately 10 crashes per year.
- 87% of FSI pedestrian crashes occur in urban areas.
- FSI pedestrian crashes were most common during September, October, November, and December.
- Men are more likely to be involved in an FSI pedestrian crash than women, with 67% of fatal crashes and 62% of serious injury crashes involving male pedestrians.
Protecting Yourself
While drivers should always practice defensive driving techniques and be aware of their surroundings, including those walking or biking nearby, pedestrians should also do their part to remain alert and safe.
- Obey traffic signals and follow general rules of the road.
- Always walk on the sidewalk when one is available.
- If there is no sidewalk along the road, walk facing traffic and as far from other cars as possible.
- Don’t walk distracted. Texting, talking on the phone, or listening to music can all increase your chances of being involved in an accident.
- Use crosswalks or intersections whenever you need to cross the street. You should also try to stay in well-lit areas.
Your Legal Options
Pedestrian accidents can have life-altering implications as those involved often experience physical, emotional, and financial side effects. Because of this, many pedestrians wish to sue the driver involved in their accident.
Typically, the driver is considered to be at fault in a pedestrian accident (even if the pedestrian was not walking at a crosswalk or was distracted). However, there are some cases in which the pedestrian can be the one at fault (for example, if someone suddenly and unexpectedly ran out into traffic).
And while the driver is most often sued in these cases, since they’re often caused by driver negligence, it is possible that other people or companies were responsible. For example, if the driver tried to stop using their brakes, however the brakes were faulty, you may be able to sue the manufacturer of parts in the car.
Damages to be Recovered
Pedestrians involved in an accident can often sue for two types of damages — economic and non-economic. Economic damages have a dollar amount associated with them, such as medical bills or lost wages while out of work. Non-economic damages don’t have a set value and are typically susceptible to more scrutiny. Examples of non-economic damages would include pain and suffering.
Not only are personal injury legal battles complicated, but they can also require lots of time and attention. If you’re a victim seeking compensation, your only goal should be getting better. While you focus on your health, let our team fight for your rights.
Our Cleveland pedestrian accident attorneys care about the people we help. We can provide the personalized legal representation you need and stand by your side throughout our case, seeking fair compensation for you. To learn more about our team, call us at 216-369-1352 or contact us online today.
