Were you or a loved one hit by a car as a pedestrian in Columbus, OH? Traffic accidents involving pedestrians can be devastating. An experienced Columbus pedestrian accidents lawyer at Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, can help you fight to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and more.
Our lawyers have over 71 years of experience standing up to insurance companies on behalf of accident victims like you. Over the years, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for our injured clients.
We know how important your compensation award is to your future. If you were injured, call our law offices at (614) 587 8423 in Columbus, Ohio, to schedule a free consultation with a Columbus pedestrian accidents attorney.
How Can Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC Help After a Pedestrian Accident in Columbus, OH?
Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable to severe injuries. You may be facing months of painful treatments and rehabilitation. Some victims experience chronic and life-changing injuries in Columbus, OH.
If the accident wasn’t your fault, you deserve to be compensated. The process is rarely simple. Insurance companies know that you need money. They may already be pressuring you to take a quick settlement deal.
You can protect yourself by consulting an experienced Columbus personal injury lawyer. At Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, we’ve earned an AV-Preeminent rating and been listed as Super Lawyers for multiple years running.
Hire our Columbus car accident attorneys to handle the legal issues, and we will:
- Conduct our own investigation into the crash
- Identify all responsible parties and insurance coverage sources
- Defend against claims that you caused the accident or failed to mitigate damages
- Work with leading experts throughout the legal process
- Calculate the value of your damages claim
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement
Our Columbus pedestrian accidents attorneys are prepared to put decades of experience to work for you. Contact us today to learn more about getting the legal representation you deserve.
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Ohio?
The simple act of walking down the street can be dangerous in Columbus.
Across the State of Ohio, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) reported 2,505 motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians in 2023. Unfortunately, 147 pedestrian crashes were fatal. Another 1,699 victims were injured–and police classified at least 498 of those injuries as “serious”.
504 of all reported pedestrian accidents happened in Franklin County during 2023.
How Much Is My Columbus Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
Your settlement and verdict should cover all costs you’ve incurred due to the accident and injury. That said, calculating the fair value of a personal injury case is rarely as simple as adding up current financial expenses.
Your settlement also must give you enough money to cover your future costs. You should also recover compensation for non-financial losses, like pain and suffering.
It’s necessary to weigh many factors when calculating your case value, including:
- Your medical treatment costs
- The severity of the injury and whether you’ll suffer a permanent or long-term disability
- Your prognosis and anticipated future need for medical care, rehabilitation, etc.
- The physical pain and mental trauma you’ve experienced
- Damage to your lifestyle and quality of life
- The income you have lost (and are expected to lose) due to the injury
- The circumstances of the accident and whether you share any blame
Expect the insurance company to want to settle your case quickly. You should also expect that a fast settlement offer is also likely a lowball settlement offer.
It’s important to work with an attorney and take the time to fully understand your losses before taking an insurance deal. Contact our lawyers in Columbus to learn more about your legal rights today.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Pedestrian Accidents in Ohio?
Under Ohio personal injury laws, you can seek compensation for both your economic damages and non-economic damages after a crash.
While all situations are different, common examples include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Physical disfigurement or scars
- Anxiety or depression
- PTSD
- Embarrassment
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are rare in Ohio. Courts only award punitive damages when you can present clear evidence that the defendant’s acts were intentional or particularly shocking.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Ohio?
When lawyers charge hourly fees and large retainers, that often prevents injury victims from getting the representation they deserve.
At Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, we charge a contingency fee instead. Our attorneys’ fees are entirely contingent on the amount of compensation we recover for you. When we recover compensation in your case, our law firm simply takes a percentage.
When we sit down to discuss your case, we’ll also discuss our fee structure, so you have all the facts before choosing to hire us.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Being Blamed for a Pedestrian Accident in Ohio?
Possibly, but your compensation will be reduced if you share any blame for your own injuries.
Under Ohio’s comparative negligence law, you lose your right to compensation completely once your share of fault reaches 51%. If your percentage of fault is less than 51%, your compensation is reduced by that percentage.
Our Lawyers in Columbus Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrians have absolutely no protection. When they’re involved in car accidents, they’re likely to suffer serious and life-changing injuries.
At Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, we’re here to fight for you if you’ve suffered any type of injury, including:
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
- Knee and shoulder injuries
- Dislocations
- Burns and road rash
- Back injuries
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
If you were hit by a car, get medical attention as quickly as possible. Prompt medical care can both protect your physical health and provide powerful evidence in a personal injury case.
What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents in Columbus, OH?
Pedestrian accidents tend to happen because of the same negligent driving behavior that causes ordinary car accidents. The difference, of course, is that the impact tends to be much more severe.
Some of the most common causes of accidents involving pedestrians include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks or intersections
- Speeding
- Drug or alcohol use
- Limited visibility and inadequate lighting
- Driving too close to the shoulder
- Aggressive driving
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Dangerous or illegal turns
- Malfunctioning traffic signals
- Poorly marked crosswalks
- Sharp and poorly marked curves in the road
Of course, pedestrians aren’t always blameless. Pedestrians who dart into the road or fail to use sidewalks can also contribute to the cause of accidents.
Multiple factors can play a role in the same accident. It’s important to identify all of them. With that information, you increase your chances of recovering the maximum compensation you deserve after an injury.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Pedestrian Accident in Columbus?
While pedestrians have rights, they don’t automatically receive compensation when they’re hit by a car. As the victim, you must still prove that someone else caused your injuries. In nearly every case, that means proving negligence.
Negligence means:
- The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care (as all drivers on the road do)
- They made some type of mistake, so they breached their duty
- The breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of your accident
- You suffered damages
It’s easy to recite these four elements. However, in reality, you must provide evidence to convince the insurance company that the at-fault driver was truly responsible for the crash.
That evidence often includes;
- Police reports
- Traffic citations
- Photos of the accident scene and your injuries
- Video surveillance footage
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Medical records
- Opinions from experts in accident reconstruction and other fields
- Cell phone records
- Drug and alcohol test results
You’re already dealing with painful injuries. Presenting the accident report to the insurance company isn’t always enough to prove your case–and will rarely be enough to establish your case value.
Our Columbus pedestrian accidents attorneys are here to handle the legal issues. Contact us today to schedule your free case review.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Pedestrian Accident in Ohio?
The statute of limitations in Ohio is two years. If you don’t file a lawsuit before the two-year statute of limitations runs out, you lose your right to recover any compensation at all. That’s true even if you have a strong case and even if your injuries are severe.
Contact a Skilled Columbus Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer for a Free Consultation
The steps you take after a pedestrian accident can be critical to your future in Columbus, OH. Consulting an experienced Columbus pedestrian accidents lawyer may be one of the most important things you do. Contact Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer who can help today.
