An accident between a car and a person can cause debilitating injuries. If you or a loved one has been struck by a vehicle and suffered injuries, a Marion pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to help you. At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, we help our clients sort through their legal options and do our best to help them get the compensation they are entitled to receive.
Our personal injury lawyers can handle your case while you focus on your health and recovery.
Top Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
There are many scenarios that can lead to accidents between pedestrians and drivers, including:
- Distracted driving: It probably would not surprise you to learn that, in the age of smartphones, distracted driving continues to be a major problem with deadly consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), cars with distracted drivers caused the deaths of 400 pedestrians in 2018. A driver paying more attention to their phone, their passengers, or the car’s infotainment system than the road can easily miss a pedestrian’s presence and cause a potentially deadly accident.
- Drowsy driving: This behavior can lead to thousands of crashes every year. A fatigued driver could easily fall asleep behind the wheel and hit someone. They also may not have the reaction time needed to avoid a pedestrian whose presence surprises them or catches them off guard. In any case, being drowsy behind the wheel can have deadly consequences.
- Driving while impaired: While drunk driving incidents have declined in recent years, driving while impaired is still a major safety issue. Alcohol can affect a driver’s control over their vehicle and their ability to make good decisions behind the wheel. Unfortunately, an impaired driver could easily pose a threat to pedestrians who share the road with them.
- Poor intersection behaviors: Intersections can be dangerous if drivers think only of themselves. A driver who does not carefully evaluate their surroundings before turning, neglects to use their turn signal, or speeds through intersections can easily cause an accident with a pedestrian.
Common Injuries Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 137,000 pedestrians were sent to emergency rooms due to non-fatal injuries from crashes in 2017. Pedestrians lack the protection that drivers have and thus are more likely to be killed in an accident with a vehicle. A pedestrian that is struck by a motor vehicle could see medical bills begin to pile up due to common car crash injuries like:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Internal bleeding
- Scrapes, cuts, and abrasions
- Spinal injuries
Some of these injuries can even leave lasting effects that linger long after the accident has occurred. For example, if you suffered severe injuries, our personal injury attorneys can go after awards for your future medical expenses.
The Last Thing You Should Worry About Is How You’re Going To Pay For Your Medical Bills.
(614) 545-3930 Pursuing Damages After a Pedestrian Accident in Marion
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to a driver’s action, a Marion pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to assist you. You may be able to pursue multiple types of compensation, including:
- Medical damages: The injuries outlined above can lead to steep medical bills and long hospital stays. Why should you have to pay those costs when someone else caused your injuries? Pursuing medical damages allows you to receive compensation for the medical costs that resulted from your accident.
- Lost wages: An extended hospital stay can create financial pressure in another way. If you are forced out of work for a long time, you miss out on paychecks. By the time you are healthy enough to work again, your old job might not be there, and you may have to find a new one. This can lead to a significant amount of lost wages, which is why your compensation can also help cover the income you missed out on due to your accident and injuries.
- Lost earning potential: Your injuries may have lasting effects that result in a reduced earning potential. If you are unable to work at the same job or in the same field due to your injuries, or if your injuries prevent you from working the same number of hours, that is a blow to your finances. This lost earning potential should be considered when compensation is calculated.
- Wrongful death: Unfortunately, crashes involving pedestrians and motor vehicles can often be deadly. If your loved one lost their life due to the negligent behavior of a driver, you may be able to pursue wrongful death damages. The Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2125.02 gives surviving family members two years to pursue a wrongful death case—the same amount of time you would have to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- Pain and suffering: Any other pain and suffering resulting from your accident should be considered when fair compensation is calculated.
How a Lawyer Can Help with Your Case
You are not required to hire a lawyer, but one can do a lot to assist you with your case. An attorney will:
- File your case before the statute of limitations expires
- Handle all communications for you
- Calculate fair compensation
- Act as your advocate
- Gather evidence
- Make your case in court if needed
- Keep you updated on all aspects of your case
We offer free consultations so that you can get clear on your options for fair compensation. Our team can discuss your case and explain your next steps. When we take you on as a client, you can expect this level of communication to continue. We will keep you updated about the progress of your case and make ourselves available to answer any questions that may arise.
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Contact Us for Your Free Pedestrian Accident Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you do not have to fight for justice all by yourself. Instead, call The Fitch Law Firm LLC at (740) 212-1686, and learn more about how a Marion pedestrian accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you need. Remember, our consultation is free and comes with no obligation. You are not charged until you receive a settlement. Contact us today.