Toledo Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Every year, thousands of pedestrians and cyclists are injured in collisions with motorists. In fact, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that 140 pedestrians were killed in accidents and hundreds more were injured in Ohio in 2016 alone. Pedestrian accidents tend to result in particularly devastating injuries, such as spinal cord damage and head trauma, which can cause permanent disability, and in some cases, death. To learn more about seeking compensation to cover the cost of treating these types of serious accident-related injuries, please contact a member of our Toledo pedestrian accident legal team today.

Common Causes

Like any other type of traffic accident, collisions between pedestrians and vehicles can have a variety of different causes ranging from driver inattention to traffic violations. There are, however, certain kinds of behavior and conduct that have been specifically linked to pedestrian accidents, including:

• Driving while distracted, which includes texting, talking on the phone, eating, and daydreaming;
• Speeding, running red lights, and violating other traffic laws;
• Driving recklessly, which includes changing lanes unexpectedly, weaving in-between cars, tailgating, and otherwise driving aggressively; and
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Although this type of behavior can cause an accident just about anywhere and at anytime, pedestrian-motorist collisions are especially likely to occur in certain places, including:

• Marked crosswalks;
• Sidewalks;
• Residential streets;
• Residential/commercial driveways;
• Parking lots;
• Intersections;
• Parking garages; and
• Crowded venues.

Collisions between pedestrians and vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal bleeding, all of which can be extremely expensive to treat, as well as deadly.

Collecting Damages

Because the injuries sustained in pedestrian-motorist collisions tend to be severe, injured parties are often forced to pay for expensive and painful treatments. This can take a serious financial toll on victims and their families, especially when the injured party is unable to work as a result of the injuries. In these cases, those who can demonstrate that someone else was responsible for their accident can collect compensatory damages, which includes reimbursement for:

• Past medical expenses and coverage for future treatments;
• Lost wages incurred while the injured party was unable to work;
• Loss of income experienced by a family if an injured party is so severely injured that he or she is unable to earn the same income;
• The cost of repairing or replacing damaged property;
• The pain and suffering endured by the injured party as a result of the accident;
• The emotional distress and mental anguish experienced by the injured party and his or her family; and
• Burial/funeral costs.

Collecting these types of damages requires the collection and presentation of a substantial amount of evidence, including witness statements, phone records, expert witness testimony, and footage from traffic cameras. This kind of evidence can be difficult to obtain, making it especially important for injured parties to speak with an attorney about their accident.

Get the Legal Representation You Deserve

Please contact Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC at 419-241-5500 today to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated Toledo pedestrian accident lawyer who can evaluate your case and explain your legal options.