Columbus Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Were you injured after being struck by a vehicle? If so, contact a respected pedestrian accident lawyer in Columbus to discuss the details of your case.
Pedestrian versus car never turns out well. And the injuries pedestrians sustain after being hit can be life-threatening or even fatal in some cases.
If you’ve suffered catastrophic injuries in a pedestrian accident, you shouldn’t be expected to cover the costs and struggle with the physical and emotional trauma of the accident. The liable party should be compelled to compensate you for every single loss you have endured so you can begin to rebuild your life. This happens through a personal injury lawsuit.
Obtaining legal representation is the best way to ensure you aren’t taken advantage of during one of the most difficult times of your life. An experienced Columbus pedestrian accident lawyer at Rafidi, Pallante & Melewski LLC could help you with the legalities of your case so you can maximize your chances of being awarded appropriately.
Determining Fault for Columbus Pedestrian Accidents
When you get hit by a car, it’s easy to assume that the liable party is the driver of the vehicle that hit you. In many cases, this is true. The driver may have been distracted, drowsy, drunk, or simply driving recklessly. Maybe the driver ran a red light or was speeding, for example.
Here, the driver would more than likely be found liable for causing your injuries. However, you may be surprised to learn that there are other parties who may have contributed to the cause of the accident.
For example, if the Columbus roads themselves were not safe due to missing street signs, stop signs, broken traffic lights, unsecured construction zones, or other hazards, then the driver who hit you may not be at fault. Instead, a claim could be brought against the government agency who is responsible for maintaining the safety of the roads.
It’s also possible that the car itself had a malfunction or defective part that prevented the driver from being able to avoid you. If this is the case, a lawsuit could be filed against the vehicle parts manufacturer, maintenance technicians, or other relevant parties.
Shared Blame in Columbus Pedestrian Accidents
It is more common than you might think for Columbus pedestrians to share fault for the accident. Maybe you didn’t wait for the signal to cross before moving through the crosswalk. Perhaps you failed to use the crosswalk at all. Fortunately, Ohio law does not prevent injury victims who share fault from being awarded compensation, despite sharing fault. This is known as comparative negligence.
You will still be held accountable for your portion of fault, however. You can expect to see a reduction in your award that correlates to your percentage of blame. So if you were, say, 10 percent liable, you can expect to see your award reduced by 10 percent.
Get in Touch with a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Columbus
If you are ready to hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence, you can reach out to a seasoned Columbus pedestrian accident lawyer at Rafidi, Pallante & Melewski LLC. Call 1-866-494-5387 or complete the quick contact form included at the bottom of this page to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.