Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Serving Columbus
We can fight for the compensation you deserve
People walk all the time in Columbus. They are walking down to the corner store, or just getting some exercise. Nobody expects to be hit by a car when they are out walking. Yet every year, people throughout Central Ohio are injured in pedestrian accidents. An uneventful walk can turn into a life-changing crash in just seconds.
The experienced Columbus pedestrian accident attorneys at Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC know the impact that injuries can have on victims. They are affected physically – they are in pain and need medical treatment. They are affected emotionally – their lives have been turned upside-down. And they are affected financially as the bills for medical treatment come in while they are unable to work.
How do pedestrian accidents happen in Columbus?
Pedestrian accidents have many common causes, but nearly all are because of negligent drivers. A distracted driver was making a turn at an intersection and failed to yield to pedestrians. A speeding driver was traveling well above the posted limit and didn’t have time to stop at a crosswalk. Or a fatigued driver was unable to react in time to prevent a crash. Pedestrians are also hit by motorists who run red lights or stop signs while they are crossing the street at an intersection.
Some pedestrian accidents are caused by overtly reckless driving, such as driving on the sidewalk or in a pedestrian-only area. Still, other types of accidents have other causes, such as the dangerous design of a parking lot or drive-through. Ultimately, only an experienced Columbus pedestrian accident attorney can get to the bottom of what happened.
Car vs. pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries
Pedestrians have no protection in a crash and can suffer very serious injuries. These include broken bones, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injury (TBI). They may need surgery, hospitalization, medication, physical therapy, and multiple follow-up visits with doctors. Recovery can take months or longer. Some victims are left with a permanent disability.
If you were hit by a car in a pedestrian accident, medical expenses can become overwhelming and you may wonder how you are going to pay them. If a negligent driver caused your accident, you shouldn’t have to pay. But recovering compensation can be a difficult and complicated process.
Negligent drivers often deny doing anything wrong and refuse to accept responsibility for what happened. They may claim you were negligent, making a crash unavoidable. That leaves you in the position of having to prove that the driver was responsible for what happened.
The other obstacle to recovering compensation is the insurance companies. The fact is, insurance companies are mostly interested in protecting their bottom line. They will try to pay you as little as possible because that helps their profit margin. That’s why winning a pedestrian accident lawsuit is rarely easy. The right attorney can make all the difference.
Pedestrian accident lawyers who don’t put up with insurance company tactics
There are many tactics they use to justify paying you less. One tactic is questioning how serious your injuries really are. Another is arguing that you were already injured when the collision happened. They’ll seek access to your medical history to look for evidence to support their argument.
Then there is the settlement offer. An adjuster may contact you soon after the accident with the “good news” that they are prepared to settle your claim. It’s the best they can do, they might say, but they’ll promise quick payment. As your medical bills start coming in and your financial worries begin, you may be tempted to accept their offer.
The problem is their offer will fall far short of covering the damages you suffered. They are hoping you’ll say yes so they can save money. They can do better than that – that’s why you need an experienced lawyer on your side.
Our firm takes your case seriously from the start. Our legal team investigates your accident to get the fact. We gather evidence, include any video from nearby traffic cameras. We carefully review accident reports and medical records. We identify and interview witnesses and if needed, consult experts who can help us prove our case.
Our law firm knows how to get results
We build strong cases that insurance companies have to take seriously and demand the compensation you deserve. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to your injuries, lost wages if you were left unable to work and other damages such as pain and suffering.
Many times, we are able to negotiate a settlement that meets your needs. But we are not interested in making quick deals with the insurance company that help them save money. Any resolution of your case has to be one that meets your needs. If they won’t agree to a settlement that works for you, we’ll be ready to fight for you in court.
Do you need a lawyer? It costs you nothing to get a consultation. An attorney can review the details of your accident and discuss your legal options for recovering compensation. You can also get answers to your questions and get the information you need to help you decide what to do next. No cost, no obligation.
Wherever your accident happened in Columbus – on East Main Street, Cleveland Avenue, Dublin Road, or another city street – we can help. Contact us to schedule your free consultation at our Columbus office. Or we can meet you at home, in your hospital room or whichever location is most convenient.
