Ohio pedestrian deaths from car accidents rise in 2020 despite less driving

May 19, 2021

As the pandemic continues, and more individuals work from home, less vehicles are on the road. Despite less vehicles being on the road, and despite the pandemic the number of pedestrians who were killed from being hit by a car significantly increased from the prior year. Just in the first half of 2020 alone, the percentage of pedestrians killed by cars drastically increased 20% from 2019 on a national basis.

Unfortunately, there has also been a similar increase in the number of pedestrians car accidents in Ohio. Despite Ohio Department of Transportation’s efforts, Ohio pedestrian accidents continue to rise. For instance, the number of fatal crashes involving pedestrians has went from 90 in 2013, to 94 in 2014, to 117 in 2015, to 140 in 2016, to 144 in 2017. The culprit of pedestrian deaths related to car accidents? Distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, texting, carelessness, and other negligent driving behaviors.

When pedestrians are hit by cars, serious consequences often occur ranging from permanent and serious injuries to death. Similarly, mounting medical expenses, lost wages, inability to work, and other resulting limitations in everyday life can further exacerbate the challenges associated with recovering from a pedestrian-car accident.

In circumstances where a pedestrian was hit by a car, attorneys can provide significant benefits in helping ease the burdens associated with having been involved in the pedestrian car accident. These benefits range from assessing the value of your claims, pursuing all appropriate and applicable insurance coverages, and maximizing the value of your claim.

The average settlement for pedestrians hit by a car and the average settlement for pedestrians killed by a car significantly vary depending on numerous factors.

Personal injury verdicts for pedestrians hit by a car and settlement values for pedestrian car accidents will significantly vary depending on numerous factors. These factors can include the severity of the injury, the apportionment of fault of the at-fault driver, the degree of permanency of the injury, the limitations presented from the related injuries and other considerations. However, those who are successful in pursuing a personal injury claim as a pedestrian hit by a car likely will recover compensation for medical expenses, reimbursement of lost wages, monetary value for pain and suffering, inability to perform ordinary activities, scarring and other non-economic damages.

If the pedestrian is hit by a car and killed, compensation for the following damages can be sought:

• Funeral and burial expenses;
• Medical expenses, if any, incurred before the death of the individual;
• Loss of the expected income of the deceased family member;
• Loss of services of the deceased. This includes the services performed by the deceased that the loved ones relied on. This could be as simple as yard work, house work, or child care;
• Loss of prospective inheritance at the time of death. This is any inheritance that the deceased would have taken a share in if not for the untimely death.
• Loss of society which includes many of the intangible things a loved one does for us such as offering companionship, intimacy, advice, and protection;
• Mental anguish experienced by the spouse, children, parents of deceased, and other next of kin

Can pedestrians be at fault in a pedestrian car accident?

You may be thinking to yourself, “I was hit by a car while walking—don’t pedestrians always have the right of way?” Although Ohio laws are designated to protect pedestrians, pedestrians still have certain duties they must follow. Failure to abide by such duties can be fatal to their personal injury case. For example:

• Pedestrians are expected to cross streets and roads by using crosswalks or where otherwise permitted.
• Pedestrians must obey the traffic control signals and only cross streets when signaled by devices such as the “walk” signal.
• Pedestrians must use ordinary care when attempting to cross the street where traffic control devices are not available.

Call Brian G. Miller Co., L.P.A. to see how we can assist

At the law office of Brian G. Miller Co., L.P.A., in Columbus, Ohio, we provide expert legal assistance for pedestrians who have been injured by careless drivers or who have been involved in other pedestrian accidents. If you or a loved one was hit by a car while walking, contact our Columbus pedestrian accident lawyers at 614-221-4035 to schedule your free consultation and to see how we can assist.