Dayton Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Have you been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver in Dayton? If so, you may have the right to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering from the driver who struck you. The pedestrian accident lawyers with Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, can help you seek accountability and justice.
Our firm has office locations across Ohio to serve you no matter where you live. We only represent injury victims, never corporations or insurance companies. Our legal team can stand up to aggressive insurers to demand the financial relief you need and deserve after a devastating pedestrian accident. Contact us today for a free initial case review to discuss your legal options with a knowledgeable Dayton pedestrian accident attorney.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Dayton, Ohio
Being hit by a motor vehicle as a pedestrian can be shocking and traumatic. The emotional distress you feel after a pedestrian accident can make it challenging to know what steps to take to protect your legal rights. Here is what you should do after a pedestrian accident in Dayton, Ohio:
- Report the accident to law enforcement as soon as possible. Remember to request a copy of the police accident report if officers responded to the crash scene.
- Seek immediate medical attention to identify injuries you sustained in the accident. Follow your healthcare provider’s treatment recommendations and recovery instructions to ensure you do not aggravate your accident injuries.
- Keep records of your financial losses, including bills, invoices, receipts, and pay stubs or income statements.
- Report the accident to your auto insurance company (if you have one) to check for insurance coverage available to you in your policy.
Finally, contact the pedestrian accident attorneys at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, to learn more about your legal rights to recover compensation for your harm and loss.
Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Many pedestrian accidents in Dayton occur due to careless or reckless driving. Motorists may drive with a disregard for pedestrians or in such a manner as to make it more challenging to swerve or stop to avoid a collision with a pedestrian. Some of the most frequent causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Speeding or driving too fast for visibility conditions
- Reckless driving, including excessive speeding or swerving around traffic
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Turning without signaling or checking mirrors for approaching pedestrians
- Failing to slow down when approaching intersections or crosswalks
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks or intersections
- Backing out of a driveway or parking spot without looking behind for pedestrians
Even a low-speed collision between a pedestrian and a motor vehicle can cause catastrophic injuries for a pedestrian.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Examples of injuries that can occur in pedestrian accidents include:
- Lacerations, abrasions, and degloving injuries
- Burns
- Crush injuries
- Dislocated joints
- Broken bones
- Ligament sprains and tears
- Muscle or tendon strains and tears
- Neck and back injuries such as whiplash or herniated discs
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Traumatic amputation or limb loss
What Damages Can You Recover from a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
In a pedestrian accident claim, you may have the right to recover compensation for the financial and personal losses you incur due to your injuries. A financial recovery in your claim may include compensation for:
- Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation of your injuries, including emergency care, surgeries, hospitalizations, prescriptions, pain management care, or physical/occupational therapy
- Care and support services you need to cope with long-term or permanent disabilities, such as medical/mobility equipment purchases, home health services, housekeeping services, or installations of disability accommodations at home
- Loss of wages/income during your recovery, including due to missed time from work or reduced earnings while temporarily working in a lower-paying part-time or modified-duty position
- Loss of future earning capacity and employment benefits if you develop a permanent disability
- Physical pain/anguish and emotional trauma/distress from the accident or caused by your injuries and subsequent medical care
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life because of physical disabilities or permanent scarring/disfigurement that interferes with your daily living and activities
In rare cases, a pedestrian accident lawsuit may also allow you to recover an award of punitive or exemplary damages. A jury may award punitive damages when an at-fault driver demonstrates malice, aggravated or egregious fraud, or a conscious disregard for others’ safety. Punitive damages punish an at-fault party for their conduct rather than compensate an injured person for losses. Ohio law caps punitive damages at twice the compensatory damages awarded to a personal injury plaintiff.
Statute Of Limitations to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Dayton, OH
Under Ohio’s statute of limitations on injury claims, you may have only two years to file a lawsuit after suffering injuries in a pedestrian accident in Dayton. Although this period may extend or “toll” in certain circumstances, the trial court could dismiss any lawsuit filed after the deadline. And though two years may seem like a long time, your attorney will need time to investigate the pedestrian accident and prepare a legal case. For this reason, you can best protect your rights by contacting a pedestrian accident lawyer from Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, as soon as possible after getting hit by a vehicle to ensure your claims get filed on time.
Pedestrian Hit by a Car? Our Dayton, Ohio Accident Attorneys Can Help
If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident, get experienced legal help to recover maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, today for a free no-obligation consultation. With locations all over the state, we are prepared to meet with you at your convenience. Our Dayton personal injury attorneys will fight to secure the financial recovery you need to heal after a catastrophic collision with a motor vehicle
