Columbus Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Ohio Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws

In Columbus, drivers are legally required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, whether the crosswalk is marked or unmarked at an intersection. Under Ohio Revised Code § 4511.46, vehicles must stop when a pedestrian is crossing with the right of way. Unfortunately, many crashes occur because drivers speed through busy corridors like Broad Street, ignore signals near North Market, or fail to check for walkers at unsignalized intersections in residential areas like Clintonville or Franklinton.

Even when pedestrians cross midblock or outside a designated crosswalk, drivers are still expected to exercise reasonable care to avoid a collision. This is especially important in high-foot-traffic zones near Columbus City Schools, Short North, and Easton Town Center, where pedestrian visibility may be limited.

At KNR, we use these right-of-way laws to build strong liability claims and hold drivers accountable when they violate their legal duty to keep pedestrians safe.

Types of Pedestrian Accidents in Columbus, OH

Pedestrian accidents in Columbus happen in many ways, often due to driver negligence in areas with heavy foot traffic, poor visibility, or inadequate enforcement.

• Intersection Collisions – Failure to yield at intersections like Broad & High often leads to serious crashes.
• Turn Accidents – Drivers turning from Parsons Avenue or Summit Street without checking crosswalks.
• Crosswalk Crashes – Even marked crossings near Easton or German Village can be dangerous when drivers are distracted.
• School Zone & Bus Stop Incidents – Children and guardians struck in areas like Hilltop or Weinland Park.
• Parking Lot Back-Overs – Often seen in retail areas like Polaris Fashion Place.
• Drunk or Distracted Driving – A major issue in Short North and downtown nightlife districts.
• Hit-and-Runs – Especially prevalent near Sullivant Avenue, where drivers often flee before rendering aid.

No matter how it happens, pedestrian accidents share one thing in common: they’re preventable. KNR investigates every detail to hold the at-fault driver accountable and ensure you’re not left to face the consequences alone.

Injuries Our Columbus Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Handle

When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, the outcome is often catastrophic. With no protection against the force of impact, pedestrians commonly suffer serious, long-term injuries that affect every part of their lives.

At KNR, we work with top medical providers throughout Columbus—like OSU Wexner Medical Center, OhioHealth, and Mount Carmel—to fully document the extent of your injuries and build a strong case for maximum compensation.

We represent victims suffering from a wide range of pedestrian-related injuries, including:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Spinal Cord Damage & Paralysis
• Fractures & Broken Bones
• Internal Bleeding & Organ Damage
• Disfigurement & Scarring
• Soft Tissue & Orthopedic Injuries
• Emotional Trauma, PTSD & Anxiety Disorders

Some injuries may not be immediately visible after the accident, and symptoms can worsen in the days or weeks that follow. That’s why it’s critical to get medical attention right away and speak to a lawyer who knows how to prove both physical and emotional damages under Ohio law.

Pedestrian Accident Fatalities

Columbus sees a troubling number of fatal pedestrian crashes each year—many at high-speed corridors like Cleveland Avenue, Livingston Avenue, and East Broad Street, or in poorly lit areas near Southeast Columbus and Northland. These tragedies are often caused by drivers who were speeding, distracted, intoxicated, or simply failed to yield.

If your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, Ohio law allows surviving family members to file a wrongful death claim under ORC § 2125.01. This claim seeks justice for the loss by pursuing damages for funeral costs, lost future income, companionship, and emotional suffering.

Additionally, the victim’s estate may file a survival action to recover compensation for the pain and suffering the person experienced before death—ensuring that their suffering is not overlooked, and the at-fault party is fully held accountable.

If you lost a family member in a pedestrian crash in Columbus, our wrongful death attorneys are here to help you seek justice.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Columbus

If you’ve been struck by a vehicle while walking in Columbus what you do in the minutes and days following the crash can significantly affect your health, your rights, and your ability to recover compensation.

Here’s what KNR’s Columbus pedestrian accident lawyers recommend:

• Call 911 Immediately – Even if you feel okay, request emergency responders and make sure a report is filed with the Columbus Division of Police. This official report documents the scene, the driver’s info, and may include witness statements—all critical for your claim.
• Get Medical Treatment Right Away – Go to the nearest emergency room—Mount Carmel East, OSU Wexner, or OhioHealth Grant Medical Center. Some injuries aren’t obvious at first but can worsen without prompt care. Medical records will also serve as vital evidence in your case.
• Collect Info If You Can – If you’re able, take photos of the scene, your injuries, traffic signals, vehicle damage, and road conditions. Get names and contact info for the driver and any witnesses. If you’re too hurt, KNR can help retrieve this on your behalf.
• Avoid Speaking to the Insurance Company Alone – Insurance adjusters often call quickly—and their goal is to limit what they pay. Before giving a statement or signing anything, talk to a lawyer who represents your best interests.
• Contact KNR for Experienced Legal Help – The sooner our team gets involved, the faster we can secure video footage (from nearby businesses, RTA buses, or city traffic cameras), request medical records, and preserve critical evidence before it’s lost.

Our Columbus attorneys know how local intersections operate, how to deal with area hospitals and insurers, and how to prove liability under Ohio law. Let us handle the legal process while you focus on recovery.

Types of Damages & Losses for Injured Pedestrians

Under Ohio personal injury law, pedestrian accident victims have the right to pursue damages for both economic and non-economic losses caused by someone else’s negligence.

Here are the most common types of compensation Columbus pedestrian accident victims may recover:

• Medical Expenses – This includes the full medical bills for emergency room treatment at Mount Carmel East, orthopedic surgery at OhioHealth, or long-term physical therapy through OSU Wexner’s rehabilitation services. We also pursue damages for future medical needs, including home modifications, mobility devices, or specialist follow-ups.
• Lost Wages & Diminished Earnings – Many victims are forced to miss work while recovering from broken bones, head trauma, or surgery. For example, if you work in retail near Easton Town Center or in healthcare at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and are unable to return to your job or need to reduce your hours, you may be compensated for both past and future lost income.
• Pain & Suffering – Pedestrian crashes often result in intense, prolonged physical pain and emotional hardship. Whether you’re recovering from fractured vertebrae after being struck near Polaris Parkway or living with chronic nerve damage from a crosswalk collision in Downtown Columbus, these life-altering effects are compensable.
• Permanent Disability or Disfigurement – Accidents involving large vehicles or high speeds may leave victims with lasting impairments. From facial scarring after a hit-and-run on Sullivant Avenue, to mobility loss from spinal trauma near Livingston Avenue, these damages reflect changes to your daily life and self-image.
• Mental Anguish & Emotional Trauma – Many pedestrians suffer from post-traumatic stress, anxiety, or depression after being hit by a car—especially if the crash occurred in a high-traffic or chaotic setting like Short North or during nighttime hours. These invisible injuries can be just as debilitating as physical ones and are equally valid in a legal claim.
• Wrongful Death Damages – If a pedestrian is fatally injured, surviving family members may recover compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and the loss of companionship. These claims are typically pursued through a wrongful death lawsuit under Ohio law and are critical for helping families find financial stability and closure.

The Factors That Influence Pedestrian Injury Compensation

No two pedestrian accident cases in Columbus are exactly alike. The value of your claim depends on multiple variables that affect how much compensation you’re legally entitled to receive:

• Severity of Injuries and Recovery Timeline – More severe injuries—like traumatic brain damage or multiple fractures—often lead to larger settlements, particularly when extensive rehab or lifelong care is needed.
• Comparative Fault – Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning your compensation may be reduced if you were partially at fault (e.g., jaywalking or crossing outside of a designated crosswalk). However, you can still recover damages as long as you’re less than 51% at fault.
• Available Insurance Coverage – If the at-fault driver carries only minimum coverage—or is uninsured—your recovery could be limited. However, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage through your own auto policy may apply, even if you were a pedestrian at the time.
• Quality of Documentation – Clear medical records, a detailed police report from Columbus Division of Police, and consistent treatment history significantly strengthen your case.
• Legal Representation – Insurance companies are far more likely to undervalue your case or deny your claim if you’re unrepresented. Our attorneys at KNR leverage expert testimony, financial analyses, and aggressive negotiation strategies to ensure your case reflects its full legal and financial value.

At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we understand the stakes in pedestrian injury cases. Whether you’re negotiating a six-figure settlement or preparing for trial in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, our Columbus team will work to secure all the compensation you need.

Proving Fault If You Were Hit by a Car in Columbus

In any pedestrian accident case, proving fault is the cornerstone of a successful claim. Under Ohio negligence law, the injured party must show that the driver breached a legal duty of care and that this breach caused the accident and resulting injuries.

In Columbus, many pedestrian crashes happen in areas like North High Street, East Broad Street, or intersections near OSU, where drivers frequently ignore crosswalks, run red lights, or fail to yield. Other times, crashes occur in residential neighborhoods or at midblock crossings in areas like Franklinton or King-Lincoln Bronzeville, where visibility may be lower and drivers may not anticipate foot traffic.

Regardless of where it happens, KNR conducts a thorough investigation to determine exactly how and why the crash occurred. To prove fault in a Columbus pedestrian accident, we gather and analyze:

• Official Police Reports
• Eyewitness Testimony
• Traffic Camera & Surveillance Footage
• Cell Phone Records
• Vehicle Black Box Data
• Medical Records
• Accident Reconstruction Experts

Beware: Insurance Companies Often Undervalue Pedestrian Injury Claims in Columbus

After a pedestrian accident, you might expect the at-fault driver’s insurance company to step up and do the right thing. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case. Insurers are in the business of protecting their profits and often use aggressive tactics to reduce or deny legitimate claims.It’s common for insurers to:

• Blame the pedestrian for causing or contributing to the crash
• Downplay the severity of injuries or suggest they were pre-existing
• Push for a quick, lowball settlement before full damages are known
• Misrepresent your rights under Ohio’s comparative negligence laws
• Delay communication or request unnecessary paperwork to stall your claim.

Without skilled legal representation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, or worse, accept far less than you’re owed. That’s why working with a local firm that understands these tactics is critical.

KNR’s Columbus-based pedestrian accident attorneys know how insurers try to deflect liability. We’ve seen these strategies before and know exactly how to push back with medical evidence, expert testimony, and a relentless commitment to securing the compensation you deserve.

Pedestrian Injury Settlements & Lawsuits in Columbus, OH

Most pedestrian accident claims in Columbus are resolved through settlement negotiations—but that doesn’t mean you should accept the insurance company’s first offer. These early settlements are often far below what your case is truly worth, especially if you haven’t yet completed treatment or fully documented future care needs. At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This strategic approach signals to insurers that we’re ready and able to litigate, which often leads to stronger, faster settlements.

If a fair resolution can’t be reached, your case may proceed to a Columbus personal injury lawsuit filed in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, located in downtown Columbus.

We understand how local judges and juries tend to evaluate pedestrian injury cases—particularly in areas like Short North, East Broad, and the OSU district, where traffic conditions and driver negligence are well-known. KNR’s trial experience and local reputation can be a decisive factor in both court outcomes and pre-trial negotiations. Whether your case settles or goes before a jury, our team is prepared to fight for every dollar you’re owed.

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Real Results for Columbus Pedestrian Accident Victims

KNR doesn’t just talk about results for injured pedestrians in Columbus—we deliver.

• $180,000 Settlement in Pedestrian-Involved Accident
• $100,000 Settlement for Pedestrian Struck by a Vehicle
• $103,000 Recovery After Pedestrian Was Killed

More Results

FAQs About Columbus Pedestrian Accidents