Columbus Pedestrian Accident Lawyers | Everything You Need to Know
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are much more common than most people think. Whether it's negligent drivers' fault or a problem with traffic signals, it's vital for the pedestrian accident victim to seek help from a law firm as soon as possible.
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It's vital to note that, when pedestrian accidents happen, they could lead to a wide range of problems, such as serious injuries, extensive medical bills, wrongful death, and more. A pedestrian accident victim can use the help of a Columbus pedestrian accident lawyer to seek compensation from the at-fault party's insurance company.
The Importance of Getting Compensation with an Attorney
Regardless of the type of accident that happened, victims must aim to get maximum compensation for their pedestrian accident claims. Fighting an insurance company without a Columbus pedestrian accident attorney can be a problem if the victim doesn't know the law correctly.
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Overall, hiring Columbus pedestrian accident attorneys is the victim's best bet to get proper financial compensation for all the damages caused. There are many factors to consider when it comes to pedestrian accident cases, so anyone who may be interested in that topic can read the following page about how these legal professionals can help with a person's personal injury claim.
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On the other hand, those who need a personal injury lawyer to assess their case immediately can contact the legal team at the Keating Law Firm and get a free consultation.
What Do Pedestrian Accidents Involve?
As mentioned before, pedestrian accidents may involve different factors, but in their most general sense, these happen when any vehicle type hits a pedestrian.
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It's vital to note that by "vehicle," it could be any force that hits someone on foot. While most pedestrian accidents often involve a motor vehicle, such as a car or a motorcycle, other accidents may involve a bicycle, a skateboard, or even horses.
Where Do These Accidents Mostly Occur?
A pedestrian injury after an accident may happen at any place. However, most of these accidents happen on the streets; particularly parking lots or sidewalks. Pedestrian accidents are more common in those places since there, both pedestrians and vehicle drivers share lanes.
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Talking to a Columbus pedestrian accident lawyer is the best choice the injured pedestrian can take since it can be confusing to tell whether the accident can hold ground as a "pedestrian accident." If someone got injured by a bike in an enclosed space, for example, that also counts as an accident of this kind.
Are Pedestrian Accident Claims Common?
Unfortunately, yes. While there are traffic laws in Columbus, OH, to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible, not everyone follows those rules, which leads to accidents. Moreover, these accidents tend to happen because, typically, the vehicle is moving much faster than the pedestrian, so it's hard for them to react in time and avoid getting hit.
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Is It Always the Driver's Fault?
Not necessarily. As mentioned before, it's much harder for the pedestrian to react quickly and avoid the vehicle that's going to hit them because of the different speeds both are going. However, there are some particular cases in which the accident may be the pedestrian's fault.
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It's vital to note that traffic laws are there for a reason. Both pedestrians and drivers must follow them to avoid severe injuries. However, if a pedestrian isn't following the traffic lights, for example, and a vehicle accidentally hit the person, the driver could use that in their favor so that their insurance company doesn't pay as much money.
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There's a third option where none of the parties in the accident are at fault. If a traffic control signal isn't working correctly, for example, that could lead to confusion among both the driver and the pedestrian, causing the accident. In those cases, it's the government's fault for not being able to put up the right mechanisms to regulate traffic. Here, the injured party must talk to a law firm to assess their options.
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Regardless of who was at fault for the accident, people must talk to their personal injury attorneys to avoid further problems with the law and fight the insurance company to get the right financial compensation, especially in cases where a serious injury is involved.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
As mentioned several times throughout this page, these accidents happen due to a wide variety of reasons; most of them involving someone else's negligence. Here's an overview of some of the most common reasons why someone could get involved in a pedestrian accident in Ohio.
Negligent Drivers
Overall, this is the most common reason why pedestrian accidents happen. In essence, a "negligent" driver is someone who isn't following traffic rules and regulations as they should, which could also lead to a wide range of accidents; not just a pedestrian accident.
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Regarding accidents with pedestrians, the negligent actions come due to the driver being distracted. People must keep in mind that a distracted driver puts themself and everything else around them at risk. In these cases, pedestrians are most likely to get hit by the vehicle since they're the hardest things to see when the driver is in those conditions.
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The distraction can involve everything around physical, cognitive, and visual factors. In worst-case scenarios, the driver is experiencing more than one of these distraction types. In case the driver is experiencing a visual distraction (i.e., texting while driving), they may not notice a pedestrian when they turn at an intersection, for example.
Visual distractions may also lead to other accident types, such as backing up in a parking lot and hitting someone because the driver wasn't looking.
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It's critical for car drivers to know that pedestrians, according to the law, always have the right of way. If the driver doesn't give pedestrians the right of way and caused an accident, the pedestrian can use that against them in court.
Physical/Mental Impairment Due to Alcohol or Drugs
Logically, someone who is driving under the influence cannot drive, which is why those actions themselves are punishable by Ohio law. Both alcohol and drugs can greatly impair a person's visual, cognitive, and physical actions, leading to accidents.
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An intoxicated driver, for example, could start driving recklessly, and they may not even notice they're going to hit someone on the road until it's too late. These accident types are extremely dangerous since, under particular conditions, they can be deadly for the pedestrian.
Speeding
Speeding involves driving at an excessive speed, often higher than what's permitted by law. In most cases, driving at such a high speed can lead to the driver losing control over the vehicle and not being able to stop on time.
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As with driving under the influence (DUI) cases, speeding can be deadly for both pedestrians and vehicle drivers.
Driving While Exhausted
Drivers cannot drive if they feel particularly drowsy. While "drowsiness" may not feel like such a big problem as driving while intoxicated, being extremely tired can lead to similar impairments while driving. Logically, having any kind of impairment while driving poses a danger for pedestrians.
Not Following Traffic Regulations
As mentioned before, traffic regulation systems are there for a reason. However, many drivers tend to overlook them so that they can get to their destination faster. Common cases of traffic regulation violations involve violating traffic lights. On the other hand, pedestrians who ignore traffic signals can also cause an accident.
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It's important to consider that, for pedestrians and drivers to follow traffic regulations, traffic systems must work correctly. In case there are problems with traffic lights, for example, that could lead to a severe accident.
Lack of Vision
"Lack of vision" problems may involve several factors, such as fog, rain, which are natural factors, and not using glasses if the person cannot see correctly, which are alternative factors. Drunk driving, for example, can lead to impaired vision too, which is why every driver needs to assess their viewing conditions before they go out.
What Are Some Common Injuries Someone May Experience After a Pedestrian Accident in Columbus, OH?
A person's suffered injuries after an accident may vary depending on what happened. Overall, these injuries can range from mild to severe/deadly. The first step into building a case with a lawyer is to assess the severity of the injuries, especially if those injuries also involve non-economic damages.
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Here's a list of common injuries someone can experience after a pedestrian accident:
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Traumatic brain injury
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Shoulder injuries
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Partial/permanent disability
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Muscle/soft organ injuries
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Fractures
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Road rash/burns
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Bruises
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Skin lacerations
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Whiplash
Regardless of the injury, the victim must seek legal action as soon as possible to ensure they get the right compensation for all the damages caused and take care of future medical expenses.
What Can a Columbus Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help People with?
Dealing with the consequences of a pedestrian accident isn't easy at all, especially when the victim does it on their own. As mentioned throughout this page, accident victims may pursue compensation with the help of an experienced lawyer.
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There are a lot of things to take care of when it comes to accidents, and people must have all the tools possible to ensure that the legal and recovery process is as smooth as possible. Some of the things a lawyer can help people with include the following:
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Paying medical bills/medical treatment
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Covering lost wages
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Paying for physical therapy (if necessary)
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Gathering evidence to use in court
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Talking to police officers and other law enforcement agencies on the victim's behalf
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Dealing with legal paperwork
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Fighting insurance companies to recover compensation
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Getting a better settlement offer in case the insurance company offers a lowball settlement offer
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Ensuring the victim understands everything that's happening with their case
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There are many reasons why hiring a lawyer is a pedestrian accident victim's best option, but the most important one is peace of mind. Victims who hire a lawyer don't have to deal with the emotional stress that comes from dealing with an insurance company while recovering from physical and emotional damages.
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Anyone who experienced an accident and wants to make an injury claim may seek a free legal consultation from the experts at the Keating Law Firm.
How Much Does a Lawyer Charge in Columbus, OH?
Typically, attorney fees vary depending on the case, how complex it is, and other factors. However, when it comes to personal injury claims, most lawyers work with a contingency fee basis, meaning the lawyer receives a percentage of what the victim receives in a monetary settlement after the case ends.
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This is often a perfect option for accident victims since some cases with more serious injuries may involve excessive amounts of money that they may not be able to pay out of pocket. A contingency fee basis allows the person to pay for legal services after the case is finished and closed.
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However, those who may want a more in-depth explanation of how this form of payment works may seek a free consultation from the Keating Law Firm.
How Much Is a Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth?
As with the lawyer's fees, the worth of a pedestrian accident claim depends on the severity of the accident. Cases with mild injuries, for example, may not warrant high settlement offers. However, those who experience things like traumatic head injuries, spinal cord injuries, or others, may seek high compensation amounts since those cases often require physical therapy, prolonged treatments, and more.
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In cases of wrongful death, the family of the deceased person can seek compensation for funeral expenses and emotional damages caused by the loss of their loved one.
Getting a Free Consultation from Legal Experts Today
Overall, the best way to ensure a case's success is to build a good attorney-client relationship from the start. The legal experts at the Keating Law Firm work hard to ensure their clients are always taken care of correctly and that they receive enough compensation for all the damages caused by at-fault drivers or authorities.
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It's vital to remember that a lawyer can help people recover lost wages, cover medical expenses, and avoid the stress that comes from these cases. Anyone who got injured after a pedestrian accident can request assistance from the Keating Law Firm today to assess all their legal options.