If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Cleveland, Ohio, you deserve experienced legal representation that will fight for the full compensation you need. At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, we understand the devastating impact pedestrian accidents have on victims. Contact us at (216) 510-9985 for a free consultation with a Cleveland pedestrian accident lawyer.
Whether your accident occurred in a crosswalk, at an intersection, in a parking lot, or along one of Cleveland’s busy streets, our legal team is prepared to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to our law office today to learn how we can help protect your rights and pursue the justice you deserve.
Why Choose Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers for Help After a Pedestrian Accident in Cleveland, Ohio?
After a serious pedestrian accident, choosing the right attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, our Cleveland pedestrian accident attorneys have built our reputation on fighting for injured Ohioans and holding negligent parties accountable.
When you work with our firm, you can count on the following:
- Top-rated personal injury lawyers. Members of our team have been recognized in various ways, including by Super Lawyers, Top 40 under 40, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
- A track record of success. We have recovered over $100 million in compensation for accident victims.
- Proven experience. Our legal team has 181 years of combined experience, and our firm has been helping injured individuals for eight decades.
- Direct Communication and Personalized Attention. Our team is committed to providing the responsive, compassionate representation you deserve during a difficult time.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Cleveland personal injury lawyer to discuss your case and learn how we can help.
How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
Every claim is unique, and the value of a pedestrian accident case depends on several factors.
The following often impacts what a pedestrian accident case may be worth:
- The severity and permanence of your injuries
- The cost of current and future medical treatment
- The degree of fault assigned to each party involved in the accident
- The amount of available insurance coverage
- Whether you missed time from work
- How your life is impacted by the accident
At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, we carefully evaluate every aspect of a client’s case to determine the full extent of their damages and pursue the maximum compensation available under Ohio law.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Pedestrian Accident Victims?
Pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries that create significant physical, emotional, and financial hardships. If another party’s negligence caused your injuries, Ohio law may allow you to recover economic damages for financial losses and non-economic damages for emotional suffering.
Economic damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of–pocket expenses
Non-economic damages often include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In rare cases, courts may award punitive damages to deter similar conduct in the future and punish the defendant.
Insurance companies often attempt to minimize the value of pedestrian accident claims. Our Cleveland personal injury attorneys understand how to calculate both current and future damages and fight for compensation that reflects the true impact of an accident on your life.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, you do not have to pay anything upfront to get legal help after a pedestrian accident.
Our firm handles pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you through a settlement or verdict. If we do not win your case, you do not owe us attorney’s fees.
This arrangement gives you access to skilled legal representation without adding to your financial burden during recovery.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Pedestrian Accident in Ohio?
Yes, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you are being blamed for a pedestrian accident. Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this system, an injured person can still recover compensation as long as they are not more than 50% responsible for the accident.
For example, if a pedestrian is awarded $100,000 in damages but is found to be 20% at fault for the accident, their recovery would be reduced by 20%, allowing them to recover $80,000.
However, if the pedestrian is found to be more than 50% responsible for the accident, Ohio law generally bars them from recovering compensation.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Cleveland, Ohio
Unlike drivers and passengers, pedestrians do not have seat belts, airbags, or the structural protection of a vehicle to absorb the force of a collision. As a result, pedestrian accidents often cause severe, life-changing injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long-term care.
Some of the most common injuries suffered in Cleveland pedestrian accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Whiplash
- Road rash
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Paralysis
- Amputation
If you suffered injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Cleveland, it is important to understand the full extent of your damages before accepting a settlement from an insurance company. Serious injuries often require ongoing medical care and may have lasting effects on your ability to work and enjoy life.
What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents in Ohio?
Pedestrian accidents can happen in an instant, but they are rarely unavoidable. In many cases, these collisions occur because a driver, pedestrian, or another party failed to exercise reasonable care.
Common causes of pedestrian accidents in Ohio include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Entering the roadway unexpectedly
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
- Crossing outside designated crosswalks
- Poor visibility
- Walking while distracted
- Unsafe turns
- Walking against traffic signals
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to check mirrors
Identifying the cause of a pedestrian accident is often the key to establishing liability and recovering compensation. Evidence such as police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, cellphone records, and accident reconstruction analyses may help determine exactly what happened.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Pedestrian Accident in Ohio?
In most cases, Ohio law gives pedestrian accident victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss the filing deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a pedestrian accident. Evidence can disappear quickly, witnesses may become harder to locate, and insurance companies may begin building their defense immediately.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
The moments following a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming and chaotic. However, the actions you take in the hours and days after a collision can have a significant impact on both your health and your ability to pursue compensation.
Taking the following steps can help protect your well-being and your legal rights:
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Report the accident to law enforcement
- Take photos of the accident scene, visible injuries, and vehicle damage
- Obtain contact information for witnesses
- Get the driver’s name, insurance information, and vehicle details
- Do not apologize, admit fault, or make assumptions about how the accident occurred
- Be careful when speaking with insurance companies
- Attend follow-up appointments, complete prescribed treatment plans, and keep records of your medical care
One of the most important steps you can take is to consult an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can investigate the accident, preserve evidence, communicate with insurance companies, calculate your damages, and help protect your right to compensation.
Contact Our Cleveland Pedestrian Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
A pedestrian accident can leave you facing serious injuries, mounting medical expenses, lost income, and an uncertain future. While no amount of compensation can undo the harm caused by a negligent driver, pursuing a personal injury claim may help you secure the financial resources you need to recover and move forward.
At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, we are committed to protecting the rights of injured pedestrians throughout Cleveland, Ohio. Our legal team understands the challenges accident victims face and is prepared to handle every aspect of your claim. Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Cleveland pedestrian accident lawyer.