Pedestrian accidents in Toledo typically occur when drivers are not being careful and become distracted at the wheel. If you suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your various losses. At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we can review your accident circumstances with you, go over your options, and set you on course to maximize the compensation you recover.
For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with an experienced Toledo pedestrian accident attorney, please call us at (567) 803-0069 or contact us online for more information.
Toledo pedestrian accidents can result in disabling and sometimes permanent injuries – especially in a forceful collision. If you suffered injuries in a recent pedestrian accident, the legal team at Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys has the knowledge and experience to aggressively advocate for you and maximize your compensation. In fact, several of our attorneys are former insurance company lawyers. We know how insurance companies evaluate pedestrian accident claims and undervalue them, and we use our knowledge and experience to our clients’ benefit.
You can see our most recent client reviews and case testimonials on this site. Our office is conveniently located at 405 Madison Avenue, #1440, Toledo, OH 43604.
How Much Is My Toledo Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
If you’ve suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident in Toledo, Ohio, you may be wondering how much your claim or lawsuit is worth and what types of losses you can recover compensation for. The value of a pedestrian accident claim depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and the insurance coverage available. Here’s an overview of how your claim may be assessed and the types of losses for which you can recover compensation.
Medical Expenses: One of the most straightforward losses you can seek is reimbursement for medical expenses. This includes the cost of emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, doctor visits, physical therapy, and prescription medications. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, such as rehabilitation or future medical care, these costs may be included in your claim as well.
Lost income: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for the income you’ve lost due to your inability to work. This can include both past earnings (from the time of the accident until the present) and future earnings (if your injuries will continue to affect your ability to earn a living). If your injuries are severe enough to cause long-term disability, compensation for lost earning capacity can also be part of your claim.
Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering damages are more subjective and are meant to compensate you for the physical and emotional distress resulting from the accident and your injuries. The value of pain and suffering depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, the length of recovery, and how much the accident has affected your quality of life. In Ohio, pain and suffering damages are not capped, so this can be a significant part of your total compensation award.
Punitive Damages: In cases where the at-fault party was particularly reckless or malicious, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are designed to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future. However, punitive damages are not typically awarded in pedestrian accident cases unless the driver acted egregiously.
Common Locations for Pedestrian Accidents in Toledo
Pedestrian accidents in Toledo, Ohio, can happen anywhere, but certain locations are more prone to such incidents due to driver negligence. These accidents often occur in busy urban areas, intersections, and places where pedestrians are routinely crossing roads.
Busy Intersections: Intersections are the most common places for pedestrian accidents, especially when drivers fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or run red lights. In Toledo, intersections like Sylvania Avenue and Secor Road, Central Avenue, and Talmadge Road are frequent hotspots. These areas are heavily trafficked and have high volumes of pedestrian activity, especially near shopping centers, schools, and businesses.
Downtown Toledo: The downtown area of Toledo sees a lot of foot traffic, especially during events, work hours, or during lunch breaks. Streets such as Adams Street and Summit Street can be particularly dangerous for pedestrians, especially when drivers are distracted or speeding through congested areas. Pedestrian accidents often occur when cars do not properly stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.
Neighborhood Roads: Certain residential streets, especially in older neighborhoods, can have narrow roads or poorly marked crosswalks. Streets like Oakwood Avenue, West Sylvania Avenue, and Broadway Street have seen pedestrian accidents due to a combination of higher traffic speeds and a lack of pedestrian infrastructure, such as proper signage or traffic signals.
Highways and Busy Roads: High-traffic roads like I-75 and Route 24 have also been locations for pedestrian accidents. These roads typically have high-speed traffic, making it difficult for drivers to react quickly to pedestrians.
Parking Lots and Driveways: Though not always immediately obvious, parking lots or driveways near shopping centers, restaurants, or businesses can also be locations where pedestrian accidents occur. These accidents often happen when drivers are not paying attention or fail to see pedestrians.
Common Causes of Toledo Pedestrian Accidents
Negligent drivers cause a significant number of pedestrian accidents in Toledo, Ohio, often due to reckless behavior or failure to follow traffic laws. These accidents can result in serious injuries or even fatalities for pedestrians. Here are some of the most common ways that negligent drivers cause pedestrian accidents in Toledo.
Failing to Yield at Crosswalks: One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents is drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at marked crosswalks. In Toledo, many crosswalks are located at busy intersections or near schools and shopping centers, where pedestrians are frequently walking. When drivers are distracted, speeding, or not paying attention, they may ignore traffic signals or signs indicating that pedestrians have the right-of-way, leading to accidents.
Distracted Driving: With the rise of smartphone use and other distractions, distracted driving has become a major cause of accidents, including those involving pedestrians. Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, or fiddling with in-car technology are often less likely to notice pedestrians crossing the street. Distracted drivers may also fail to notice red lights or stop signs, increasing the risk of accidents in high-traffic pedestrian areas like Sylvania Avenue or Central Avenue.
Speeding: Speeding is another common form of driver negligence that contributes to pedestrian accidents. Drivers who exceed speed limits or drive too fast for road conditions have less time to react when a pedestrian steps into the street. In areas with high pedestrian traffic, like downtown Toledo or near schools, speeding increases the likelihood of a serious or fatal accident. Drivers traveling at high speeds are also more likely to lose control of their vehicles in emergency situations.
Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Running red lights or stop signs is a dangerous behavior that can lead to pedestrian accidents. In Toledo, many pedestrian accidents occur at busy intersections, such as Talmadge Road and Central Avenue, where drivers fail to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. Ignoring traffic signals not only endangers pedestrians but also puts other drivers and passengers at risk.
Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is another form of negligence that leads to pedestrian accidents. Impaired drivers may have slower reaction times, reduced awareness, and difficulty judging distances, all of which increase the risk of hitting a pedestrian.
Most Common Injuries in Toledo Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents in Toledo, Ohio, can result in serious injuries, many of which can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial effects on the victims. Since pedestrians have little to no protection when hit by a vehicle, the injuries sustained are often severe. Here are some of the most common injuries that victims of pedestrian accidents in Toledo may suffer:
Broken Bones: One of the most common injuries in pedestrian accidents is broken bones. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to fractures when struck by a vehicle, as the force of the collision can cause bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis to break. These fractures may require surgery, prolonged recovery, and physical therapy.
Head Injuries: Head injuries, including concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), are especially dangerous and can have long-term consequences. Pedestrians may hit their heads on the vehicle, the ground, or nearby objects during an accident. TBIs can lead to permanent cognitive impairments, memory loss, difficulty with concentration, and, in severe cases, long-term disability or death.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spine are another common and severe outcome of pedestrian accidents. Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the injury. Victims may experience long-term physical limitations and require lifelong medical care and rehabilitation.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and bruises, are also common in pedestrian accidents. These injuries may not be immediately visible but can cause significant pain and discomfort. In some cases, soft tissue injuries may lead to chronic pain or mobility issues, requiring physical therapy to heal.
Psychological Injuries: In addition to physical injuries, many pedestrian accident victims suffer psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These emotional and mental health issues can be just as debilitating as physical injuries and may require therapy or counseling.
Fighting the Insurance Company after a Toledo Pedestrian Crash
If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident in Toledo, Ohio, dealing with the insurance company can be one of the most challenging parts of your claim. Insurance companies often try to minimize the amount they pay out, even when you have legitimate injuries. However, with the right legal help, you can fight back and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, here’s how we can handle the process for you:
Investigating the Pedestrian Accident: The first step in fighting the insurance company is gathering all of the evidence necessary to prove that the driver was at fault. This includes collecting police reports, witness statements, and any available video footage of the accident. Our team will thoroughly investigate the details of the accident to build a strong case, ensuring that the insurance company can’t deny or undervalue your claim.
Proving Liability: In pedestrian accident cases, proving liability is vital. We will work with experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists, to establish that the driver was negligent – whether they were speeding, distracted, or failed to yield at a crosswalk. By demonstrating the driver’s responsibility, we can hold the insurance company accountable for paying you fair compensation.
Assessing Full Damages: Insurance companies often try to settle quickly, offering less than what you need to cover medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and future expenses. We will carefully assess the full extent of your injuries and losses to ensure you receive a fair settlement. This includes not just immediate costs but also long-term medical care or disability that may arise from the accident.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement: If the insurance company refuses to offer you a fair settlement, we will negotiate aggressively on your behalf. If necessary, we will take your case to court to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Most Important Steps to Take after a Pedestrian Accident in Toledo
After a pedestrian accident in Toledo, Ohio, taking the right steps is important to protecting your health and legal rights. Here are the most important actions you should take:
Keep Evidence from the Pedestrian Accident Scene: Keeping evidence from the scene is critical, including photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to vehicles involved. This evidence will be vital in proving liability and supporting your claim.
Keep Detailed Records: Document all medical treatments, prescriptions, and any time you missed from work. Keep track of how the injuries affect your daily life, as this can help with future compensation for pain and suffering.
Contact a Skilled Toledo Pedestrian Accident Attorney: At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we can guide you throughout the entire process, safeguard your rights, and ensure that you don’t settle for less than what you deserve.
By following these steps, you can improve your chances of receiving fair compensation and recovering fully from your injuries.
Contact an Experienced Toledo Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, our experienced Toledo personal injury lawyers are prepared to fight for your rights and maximize the compensation you receive for the injuries you suffered in your pedestrian accident. For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a knowledgeable Toledo pedestrian accident attorney, please call us at (567) 803-0069 or contact us online.
Is Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys The Right Law Firm For Me? / Why Should I Trust Your Firm With My Case?
Choosing a law firm to represent you and your case is one of the most important decisions you can make. We understand that your case is important to you and choosing the right firm and attorneys to represent you could make the difference for your case. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is known nationwide for providing outstanding legal advice and excellent representation. We have recovered over hundreds of millions of dollars in lawsuits involving 18 wheeler trucking litigation, wrongful death litigation, commercial vehicle litigation, motorcycle litigation, catastrophic litigation, and mass torts involving medical devices and bad drug litigation. Our prowess in the legal arena comes from our combined years of trial and complex litigation experience.
What Types Of Cases Does Your Law Firm Handle?
We handle claims at all levels of litigation. Our areas of practice include Business Law, Employment and Labor Law, trucking accidents, and much more.
Yes. Each state has laws that provide time limits to formally file a lawsuit or claim. These laws, called the “statute of limitations”, will prevent an otherwise viable claim from being considered if it is not filed on time. Therefore, it is important to contact us, or any lawyer, as soon as possible after you have been harmed.
Do You Charge For Consultations?
We want to ensure that our clients are well informed on their legal rights. Therefore, we offer free consultations to our clients and potential clients.
What Types Of Cases Are Considered Personal Injury?
Personal injury cases are incidents in which injuries or deaths have occurred as a result of another’s carelessness, recklessness or intentional wrongdoing. The other person’s negligence may be the result of a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall or many other possible events.
How Long Will My Case Take?
The length of a case, from the initial free consultation through to the resolution of the case by settlement or jury verdict, depends on several variables, so it is not possible to say exactly how long a case may take. The duration of a case is often dictated by the individual court in which the case is filed. Some courts designate a time period for discovery of evidence by each party that may be a year or longer. Other courts have a backlog of cases and therefore, the oldest cases in a county will be considered before a more recently filed case. Though some cases do settle before going to court, a settlement would not usually occur until just before the scheduled trial.
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