Pedestrian Accidents
Ohio attorneys who put your rights first
People should be able to safely walk across the street or alongside a road without living in fear of being struck by a car, truck, or other motorized vehicles. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents happen all the time, especially in larger cities like Cleveland.
Knowing what to do after a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming. Even knowing your rights might not be clear. That’s why it’s critical that you have an experienced legal team in your corner, defending your rights. That’s why you need Merriman Legal, LLC.
Our knowledgeable lawyers have years of experience handling complicated cases in Ohio. We know what evidence to look for, what questions to ask, and how to transform that information into a strong legal case.
Make sure you take your case seriously right from the start. Make sure you contact our law firm and schedule your free case evaluation today.
Why pedestrian accidents happen
Pedestrian accidents happen for many different reasons, but most are caused by error on the part of the driver. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving (including texting while driving): because pedestrians are much smaller than vehicles and often enter the roadway from the periphery of a driver’s vision, a distracted driver may not notice them until it’s too late.
- Speeding drivers: when a driver sees a pedestrian, it takes time to hit the brakes and bring the car to a stop. Drivers who go too fast, especially at night or in inclement weather, may take too long to stop at a crosswalk or lose control of their vehicles and hit a pedestrian.
- Drunk driving: alcohol inhibits perception and reaction time, which is particularly dangerous to pedestrians because they usually aren’t as visible as other cars. Drunk driving is most common at night when the light conditions add to the danger.
- Reckless driving: general recklessness makes motorists especially dangerous to vulnerable road users like pedestrians, both because they are less visible and because their bodies lack protection.
Motorists have a responsibility to share the road, and when they don’t, we fight to hold them accountable. Whatever the cause of your accident, we’re here to help you get your life back on track.
Your legal rights as an injured pedestrian
Again, motorists have a responsibility – called a duty of care in legal terms – to operate their vehicles safely and share the road with pedestrians and cyclists. When that standard of care is breached, meaning a motorist recklessly causes your injuries, you have a right to be compensated under Ohio law. You may be able to pursue damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs associated with the pedestrian accident.
However, in order to do so, you must prove your injuries were a result of the driver’s negligence, and that is often difficult to do. Motorists often blame pedestrians for causing collisions, and their insurance companies are only too happy to go along with that narrative. They may also downplay the extent of your injuries, especially if the collision happened at a low speed. Getting the compensation you’re entitled to receive is often an uphill battle, and when you’re dealing with a severe injury, the last thing you need is to face it alone.
How we can help
If you’ve been hit by a car, here’s what to do: call the police, get immediate medical attention, and contact us right away. The insurance company for the driver who hit you isn’t on your side. Their job is to protect their client and their bottom line, not to fairly compensate you for your injuries. Anything you say to them can and will be used against you.
Our legal team will stand between you and the insurance company, protecting your legal rights while you focus on healing. We will investigate to get to the bottom of what happened, including interviewing witnesses, reviewing physical evidence, and poring over accident reports. We will keep you informed about the progress of your case, answer your questions, and give you a candid assessment of your legal outlook. Our attorneys will fight for you from start to finish, in negotiations, and, if necessary, at trial.
We know how to negotiate with insurance companies. If they refuse to cooperate, we’re prepared to take them to court. It’s that simple. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, find out how our team can help you. Schedule your free consultation today.
