Columbus Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

In Columbus, pedestrian accidents can leave victims seriously injured due to negligent drivers who speed, drive recklessly, or are distracted. At Gervelis Law Firm, our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers fight to hold these drivers accountable and help injured pedestrians recover the financial compensation they deserve. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact a Columbus pedestrian accident lawyer for a case evaluation.

Nobody expects to get into an accident when they are simply going out for a walk, but people in Columbus are hurt every year in pedestrian accidents. If a negligent driver hit you and left you injured, you deserve financial compensation. Our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to fight for you.

Why Choose Gervelis Law Firm

How do pedestrian accidents happen? A negligent driver may have been speeding or driving recklessly. A driver may have been texting or otherwise distracted. A driver may have been fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Negligent drivers often refuse to accept responsibility, but at Gervelis Law Firm, we hold them accountable.

We know that an injury from a Columbus pedestrian accident can affect you physically, emotionally, and financially. You may need extensive medical treatment, home health care, and months of follow-up appointments with doctors. Recovery may take months or even longer. You may be left with a permanent disability.

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Ohio Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws

Drivers are found to be at fault in two-thirds of accidents involving pedestrians, and Franklin County had 2,749 pedestrian collisions in 2023. Understanding Ohio’s right-of-way laws is often key to establishing fault. The rules set out expectations for how drivers and pedestrians interact with each other and Ohio’s roadways.

Drivers must yield to pedestrians who are lawfully crossing the roadway in a marked crosswalk or an intersection. Unmarked crosswalks naturally exist at intersections, even when there are no painted lines on the pavement. If a pedestrian is crossing with a signal or otherwise lawfully entering the intersection, the driver must slow down and yield to the pedestrian.

Ohio law also sets out a no “dart-out” rule for pedestrians. A pedestrian should refrain from stepping off the curb or leaving a place of safety directly into the path of an oncoming vehicle. In those situations, the pedestrian may be at fault for causing a collision.

Passing a Stopped Vehicle

Another important role that many drivers overlook is that passing a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk is prohibited. If one driver stops to allow a pedestrian to cross, other vehicles must stop as well. Both drivers and pedestrians have expectations and responsibilities to traverse crosswalks and other areas where cars and bystanders interact with due care and caution.

How and Where Pedestrian Accidents Occur

OSU Wexner Medical Center reported approximately 61,231 patient admissions in 2025, including injured pedestrians. Pedestrian collisions in Columbus commonly occur in high-traffic areas where vehicles and foot traffic mix throughout the day.

Busy arterial corridors, nightlife and entertainment districts, university areas with heavy student foot traffic, large shopping centers, and parking lots are all areas that may pose an elevated risk of pedestrian collisions. High Street, Broad Street, and Livingston Avenue, among other places, see frequent pedestrian activity. Common pedestrian crash scenarios in Columbus include:

• Left-turn or right-turn failure-to-yield at intersections
• Crosswalk collisions caused by rolling stops
• Parking-lot back-overs, especially involving SUVs or trucks
• Incidents near bus stops and school pickup zones
• Hit-and-run crashes late at night
• Nighttime visibility crashes, where insurers may argue lighting or clothing

When a driver is at fault for causing a collision, they can be held responsible and civilly liable for damages. Securing fair compensation often requires the support of a trusted pedestrian accident attorney.

Compensation You May Be Owed

By working with an attorney and establishing liability, you can be compensated for the harm you endured. An injured pedestrian may be entitled to compensation to cover the cost of:

• Emergency treatment
• Hospitalization
• Surgery
• Rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Future medical care

When the injury interferes with employment, a settlement could also account for lost wages, reduced earning capacity, or the injured party’s inability to return to their previous line of work. Those tangible losses are considered economic damages. Ohio law also allows claimants to seek compensation for intangible losses, commonly known as pain and suffering. Compensation for the lasting emotional impact of an injury can add considerably to a claim.

Limitations on mobility, chronic pain, disfigurement, and loss of independence can all be accounted for through a claim that seeks non-economic damages. When a pedestrian accident results in death, surviving family members may pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. Compensation in these cases can account for the loss of financial support, loss of companionship, burial costs, and other damages.

Why You Should Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Insurance companies are supposed to help after you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident, but they like to make money. To keep their profits as high as possible, they’ll try to keep your payments as low as possible. They’ll question the seriousness of your injuries. They may even try to put some of the blame for the accident on you.

That’s not acceptable. Our attorneys know how insurance companies operate, and we don’t put up with their tactics. Our Columbus pedestrian accident attorney has the experience, knowledge, and resources to build strong cases and fight back against insurance company attempts to limit your compensation. We understand Ohio’s pedestrian accident laws and how they apply to your pedestrian accident claim.

How We Can Help

Strong cases are built on facts. That’s why we investigate your accident ourselves. Our Rapid Investigation Team can often be on the accident site within 24 hours. We gather evidence, take photographs, and locate witnesses. Our Columbus personal injury lawyers carefully review accident reports and medical records. We can consult accident reconstruction professionals if needed.

The insurance company may make a lowball settlement offer. We believe you should receive the compensation you are entitled to, and nothing less. When you hire a pedestrian accident lawyer, you gain the commitment of an advocate who can help you recover maximum compensation, either through a negotiated settlement or a jury verdict.

FAQs

Q: Do Pedestrians Have a Right of Way in Ohio?

A: In Ohio, pedestrians have the right of way when they are lawfully crossing the street in a marked crosswalk or at an intersection. Drivers must yield and exercise due care to avoid collision with pedestrians. This right-of-way only applies when the pedestrian is following traffic signals and crossing rules. Some injuries may result in shared liability between the driver and the pedestrian.

Q: What Compensation Can Pedestrians Claim From a Collision?

A: In Ohio, pedestrians in a collision have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. A settlement can pay for rehabilitation costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. If the collision results in impairment, damages may also cover long-term care needs.

A wrongful death claim can provide compensation for surviving loved ones. The financial recovery can be reduced if the pedestrian is found partially at fault under Ohio’s comparative negligence rules.

Q: Can a Pedestrian Be at Fault for Getting Hit by a Car?

A: Yes, a pedestrian may be found at fault for a collision if their actions contributed to the collision. If the pedestrian crossed outside a crosswalk or ignored traffic signals, they could be found partly at fault under the state’s comparative negligence rule, which assigns a percentage of fault to parties that are involved in a collision. Any party more than 50% at fault is barred from recovering compensation.

Q: How Long Do Pedestrians Have to File a Claim in Ohio?

A: In Ohio, pedestrians generally have two years from the date of the collision to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. If the accident results in death, a wrongful death must be filed within two years of the date of death. These deadlines are set by statute, and missing a filing deadline can lead to the claim being dismissed in court. Timely filings bring other benefits, such as readily available access to evidence and witness statements.

Q: How Do Pedestrians Prove Fault in a Collision?

A: Pedestrians can prove fault by showing that the driver failed to exercise reasonable care. They may rely on evidence like witness statements, police reports, surveillance video, vehicle damage, skid marks, and data from accident reconstruction consultants.  Phone records and dash-cam footage can also show whether the driver failed to yield or was speeding at the time of the collision.

Contact a Law Firm That Is Committed to Securing the Compensation That You Are Owed

We seek compensation for all the damages you have suffered in your pedestrian accident. This can include compensation to cover current and future medical expenses, any lost wages if you were out of work, and other damages, such as disability or disfigurement, and pain and suffering.

If you’ve been injured in a Columbus pedestrian accident, it’s important to seek legal advice promptly. Under state law, you have two years from the date of your accident to take legal action. However, it can take months to build a case. Over time, evidence can be lost or destroyed, and witnesses’ memories can fade.

Learn more about how we can help. Contact us for a case evaluation with one of our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers. If we represent you, there are no fees or upfront costs to worry about. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means you owe us nothing unless we win.