Zanesville Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Pedestrian accidents can cause devastating injuries because a person walking has little protection against the mass and speed of an oncoming vehicle. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol crash statistics, pedestrian crashes continue to cause serious injuries and fatalities throughout Ohio.

For an injured pedestrian, the financial toll of recovery can be overwhelming. Medical bills, rehabilitative care, lost income, and the costs associated with long-term injuries can place significant financial pressure on an individual and their family.

However, there may be help available. With the assistance of our Zanesville pedestrian accident attorneys, you may be able to pursue compensation for losses resulting from another person’s negligence.

Graham Law represents injured pedestrians in Zanesville, throughout Muskingum County, Cambridge, and communities across Ohio. Our attorneys have been helping injured Ohioans for more than 100 years and can investigate what caused your accident, communicate with insurers, and explain your options for pursuing a personal injury claim.

Contact Graham Law or call (740) 454-8585 today to schedule a free case review.

Key Takeaways About Pedestrian Accident Claims in Ohio

• Ohio drivers have a responsibility to exercise care around pedestrians and, in certain circumstances, must yield to pedestrians within crosswalks.
• Pedestrians also have responsibilities under Ohio traffic laws. However, being partially responsible for an accident does not always prevent an injured pedestrian from recovering compensation.
• Ohio follows a modified comparative fault system. An injured person whose share of fault is not greater than the combined fault of the other responsible parties may still recover damages, although their compensation can be reduced according to their percentage of fault.
• Pedestrian accident claims may include compensation for medical costs, lost wages, reduced future earning capacity, pain and suffering, rehabilitation, and other accident-related losses.
• Important evidence can include photographs, video footage, witness statements, police reports, medical records, vehicle data, and information about the driver’s actions before the collision.
• Pedestrian injury claims are subject to legal deadlines. Speaking with a Zanesville pedestrian accident attorney promptly can help preserve evidence and protect your ability to pursue a claim.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Zanesville and Throughout Ohio

Many pedestrian accidents in Ohio occur because a motorist fails to exercise reasonable care. Drivers should remain alert for pedestrians, particularly around crosswalks, intersections, parking areas, schools, businesses, and other locations where foot traffic is common.

Common causes of pedestrian accidents may include:

• Distracted driving, including texting or using social media
• Driving while intoxicated or impaired
• Driving while exhausted
• Aggressive driving
• Speeding
• Failing to yield to a pedestrian
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Failing to check before turning
• Backing out without checking for pedestrians
• Failing to adjust driving for darkness, rain, snow, or other poor conditions
• And more

Factors such as low visibility or reduced traction due to adverse weather conditions may likewise increase the likelihood of a motor vehicle striking a pedestrian, particularly when a driver fails to take reasonable precautions given the conditions.

Distracted Driving and Pedestrian Accidents

A driver who is looking at a phone, navigation system, infotainment screen, or another distraction may fail to notice a pedestrian until it is too late.

This can be particularly dangerous at intersections, crosswalks, and parking lots where drivers must monitor multiple directions at once. In cases where additional injuries are present, our Zanesville car accident attorneys may also be able to assist.

Distracted drivers using ride-share applications can also pose a hazard to people walking near streets, businesses, and pickup locations. When an Uber, Lyft, or other ride-share driver causes an injury, our Zanesville ride-share accident attorneys can evaluate the circumstances and explain which insurance coverage may apply.

Commercial Vehicle and Truck Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians may also be struck by delivery vehicles, work trucks, buses, tractor-trailers, or other commercial vehicles.

These claims can involve additional questions about an employer’s responsibility, commercial insurance coverage, driver training, company records, and other evidence. Graham Law’s Zanesville commercial vehicle accident attorneys can investigate these issues when a commercial vehicle is involved.

Ohio Crosswalk Laws and Pedestrian Right-of-Way

Determining who had the right-of-way can be an important part of a pedestrian accident claim.

Ohio law generally requires motorists to yield to pedestrians within a crosswalk in certain circumstances. Drivers may need to slow or stop when necessary to allow a pedestrian to cross safely.

Pedestrians also have legal responsibilities. For example, a pedestrian generally should not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and enter the path of a vehicle that is so close that a collision presents an immediate hazard. Pedestrians crossing somewhere other than a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection may also have an obligation to yield to roadway traffic.

Importantly, Ohio law still requires motorists to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians.

Because right-of-way depends heavily on where and how the collision happened, an attorney may investigate traffic signals, roadway markings, witness accounts, surveillance footage, vehicle positions, and other evidence before reaching conclusions about fault.

Can a Pedestrian Be Partially at Fault for an Accident in Ohio?

Yes. There are cases where a pedestrian may share responsibility for an accident.

Similar to drivers, pedestrians do not always follow traffic rules. A pedestrian could potentially contribute to an accident by unexpectedly entering traffic, crossing against a signal, crossing outside a crosswalk under circumstances where vehicles have the right-of-way, or otherwise failing to exercise reasonable care.

However, sharing some responsibility does not automatically prevent an injured pedestrian from pursuing compensation.

Under Ohio’s law concerning contributory fault, an injured person may generally recover damages as long as their percentage of fault is not greater than the combined fault attributed to the other responsible parties. The compensation awarded is then reduced according to the injured person’s percentage of fault.

For example, if a pedestrian were found partially responsible for an accident, that percentage of responsibility could reduce the amount of compensatory damages they recover.

Fault disputes can become a major issue in pedestrian cases. An insurance company may argue that the pedestrian stepped into traffic, was distracted, or should have taken a different route. Evidence surrounding the accident can therefore be especially important.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Ohio

Following impact with a motor vehicle, a pedestrian may face severe injuries. From scrapes and bruises to broken bones and brain and head trauma, an injured pedestrian accident survivor may face a long road to recovery.

Common injuries include:

• Broken and fractured bones
• Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
• Spinal cord injuries
• Road rash
• Sprained and torn ligaments
• Neck and back injuries
• Internal organ injuries
• Facial and dental injuries
• Severe cuts and lacerations
• Whiplash
• And more

Depending on the force and angle of the collision, a pedestrian may sustain injuries that alter the course of their life.

Catastrophic Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident

Severe spinal cord trauma can result in partial or complete paralysis depending on the location and extent of the injury. Serious brain trauma can result in cognitive impairment, loss of muscle control, changes in personality, and impairments involving speech, vision, hearing, memory, or other functions.

Some injured pedestrians may require surgery, months or years of rehabilitation, mobility equipment, modifications to their home, assistance with everyday activities, or ongoing medical treatment.

When an injury significantly affects an individual’s independence or ability to work, our Zanesville catastrophic injury attorneys can help evaluate the long-term consequences of the accident.

Fatal Pedestrian Accidents

Unfortunately, some pedestrian accidents result in fatal injuries.

If a driver’s negligence causes the death of a pedestrian, certain surviving family members may have legal rights under Ohio wrongful death law. Graham Law’s Zanesville wrongful death attorneys can help families understand the legal process following a fatal accident.

What Should You Do After Being Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian in Zanesville?

The aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be confusing, particularly when injuries require immediate medical attention. Although every accident is different, several steps can help protect your health and preserve useful evidence.

Seek Medical Treatment

Seek appropriate medical attention after a pedestrian collision. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, particularly when adrenaline and shock mask symptoms.

Medical documentation can also help establish the nature of the injuries and connect treatment to the accident.

Report the Accident

When appropriate, report the collision to law enforcement. A responding officer may gather information from the driver, pedestrian, and witnesses and document important details about the scene.

Preserve Evidence

If your medical condition allows, photographs or videos of the accident scene, vehicle, injuries, roadway, crosswalk, signals, and surrounding conditions may later be useful.

Keep copies of medical bills, medical records, correspondence with insurers, proof of missed work, receipts, and other documents relating to the accident. Collecting as much evidence of your injuries as possible can help support your personal injury claim in the future.

Avoid Making Assumptions About Fault

You may not know exactly what happened immediately after a collision. A driver could have been speeding, distracted, impaired, or violating another traffic law without you knowing it.

Avoid assuming responsibility before the circumstances have been properly investigated.

Speak With a Pedestrian Accident Attorney

A pedestrian accident attorney can review the circumstances, preserve evidence, communicate with insurance companies, identify applicable coverage, and help determine whether you have grounds to pursue compensation.

Graham Law’s Zanesville personal injury attorneys assist accident victims throughout Muskingum County, Cambridge, Southeastern Ohio, and across the state.

How Is Fault Proven in an Ohio Pedestrian Accident?

Establishing fault may require more than one person’s version of what happened.

A pedestrian accident investigation may include:

• Police reports
• Photographs and videos from the accident scene
• Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or homes
• Traffic or intersection camera footage, when available
• Witness statements
• Vehicle damage
• Cell phone or electronic evidence
• Vehicle event data
• Medical records
• Accident reconstruction evidence
• Evidence involving traffic signals and roadway markings

For serious injuries, medical and vocational evidence may also be needed to establish how the accident affected the pedestrian’s future health, employment, independence, and quality of life.

Gathering evidence promptly can be important because video may be overwritten, witnesses can become difficult to locate, and physical conditions at an accident scene can change.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?

Through a pedestrian accident claim, you may be eligible to pursue financial compensation for a variety of losses caused by the accident.

Depending on the circumstances, damages may include:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Hospital expenses
• Surgery
• Prescription medication
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Psychological treatment
• Rehabilitation
• Future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Other qualifying losses

The compensation available depends on the specific circumstances of the collision and the nature of your injuries.

Serious pedestrian accidents can create expenses that continue long after an initial hospital stay. Evaluating future medical treatment and loss of earning ability may therefore be especially important before accepting an insurance settlement.

No attorney can guarantee the amount that may be recovered in a particular pedestrian accident case. However, at Graham Law, our pedestrian accident attorneys serving Cambridge, Zanesville, and Ohio can work to pursue the maximum amount of compensation possible on behalf of clients.

What If the Driver Who Hit You Does Not Have Insurance?

Pedestrian accident claims can become more complicated when the responsible motorist has no liability insurance or does not have enough coverage to compensate the injured person for their losses.

Depending on the insurance policies and circumstances involved, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may potentially become relevant. Graham Law can review available policies and determine what sources of coverage may apply.

This can be particularly important following catastrophic pedestrian injuries because the available liability insurance may be significantly less than the injured person’s medical costs and other losses.

What Happens After a Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident?

A pedestrian who is struck by a driver who leaves the scene may still have options.

Law enforcement may investigate the driver’s identity using witness information, surveillance video, vehicle descriptions, debris, license plate information, and other evidence.

Insurance coverage may also need to be investigated even when the driver cannot immediately be identified.

Because surveillance recordings and other evidence can disappear quickly, prompt action can be particularly valuable following a hit-and-run pedestrian collision.

How Long Do You Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Ohio?

Legal deadlines apply to pedestrian accident cases as most other personal injury cases in the state.

Many Ohio personal injury claims involving bodily injury are subject to a two-year statute of limitations, although exceptions or different rules can apply depending on the circumstances.

A different analysis may also be necessary when an accident involves a government entity, a minor, a fatal injury, or another unusual circumstance.

Waiting until a deadline approaches can also create practical problems. Surveillance footage may be deleted, vehicles may be repaired, and witnesses can become more difficult to locate.

For these reasons, injured pedestrians should consider speaking with an Ohio pedestrian accident attorney promptly rather than waiting to determine whether a claim is worthwhile.

What a Zanesville Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Do for You

At Graham Law, it is our commitment to provide injured accident survivors with the information they need to understand their rights and options.

When you work with one of our pedestrian accident attorneys, we can investigate how your accident occurred and determine which parties may be responsible.

Investigate the Accident and Preserve Evidence

Our attorneys can gather available records and evidence, communicate with witnesses when appropriate, review insurance information, and work to establish how the collision occurred.

For serious or disputed accidents, additional professional analysis may be necessary to understand vehicle movements, visibility, speed, or the long-term effect of an injury.

Handle Communications With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies may request statements, medical information, or other documentation after an accident. They may also dispute fault or challenge the nature and extent of a pedestrian’s injuries.

An attorney can communicate with insurers on your behalf and present evidence supporting your claim.

Evaluate Your Current and Future Losses

The financial impact of a pedestrian accident can extend well beyond the first round of medical bills.

We can evaluate medical expenses, lost income, future treatment needs, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other qualifying damages when assessing your claim.

Pursue a Settlement or Lawsuit

Many personal injury claims are resolved through negotiation. If an appropriate settlement cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit may be necessary.

If litigation is appropriate, Graham Law can guide you through the process from filing through discovery, negotiations, and trial preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Pedestrian Accident Claims

Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right-of-Way in Ohio?

No. Ohio law provides important protections for pedestrians, but pedestrians do not have an unrestricted right-of-way in every situation. The applicable rules depend on factors such as whether the person was inside a crosswalk, whether traffic signals were operating, and where the pedestrian entered the roadway. Drivers still have a responsibility to exercise due care to avoid striking pedestrians.

Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Outside a Crosswalk?

Possibly. Crossing outside a crosswalk can affect the analysis of fault, but it does not necessarily prevent an injured pedestrian from bringing a claim. Ohio’s contributory fault rules allow recovery in certain cases where an injured person shares responsibility for an accident.

What If I Was Looking at My Phone When a Car Hit Me?

Pedestrian distraction can potentially be considered when determining fault. However, being distracted does not automatically make the pedestrian entirely responsible for an accident. The driver’s speed, attention, right-of-way obligations, and other conduct must also be evaluated.

Can I File a Claim If a Car Hit Me in a Parking Lot?

Potentially. Drivers have a responsibility to use reasonable care around pedestrians in parking lots and other areas where people and vehicles regularly interact. Evidence may include surveillance footage, witness accounts, vehicle positioning, and the driver’s actions immediately before the collision.

Contact Our Zanesville Pedestrian Accident Attorneys for a Free Case Review Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may have options for pursuing compensation for the medical, financial, and personal consequences of the collision.

At Graham Law, our Zanesville pedestrian accident attorneys help injured people in Muskingum County, Cambridge, Southeastern Ohio, and throughout the state understand their rights after serious motor vehicle accidents.

We can investigate how the collision happened, evaluate available insurance coverage, communicate with insurers, and help you determine an appropriate path forward.

Call (740) 454-8585 or contact Graham Law today to schedule a free case review with an Ohio pedestrian accident attorney. The information on this page is general and is not intended as legal advice.

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