Dayton Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Dayton Pedestrian Accidents: Types & Causes

Some kinds of pedestrian accidents happen in Dayton far more often than others, including:

• Drivers failing to yield to the right of way, even in instances where pedestrians are crossing in designated crossing areas
• Drivers turning without signaling, so a pedestrian reasonably expects the car to go straight
• Speeding and reckless driving on congested roadways
• Drivers being distracted by phones, navigation systems, other passengers, and other distractions
• Drivers running red lights or refusing to stop at a stop sign when a pedestrian is crossing lawfully
• Drivers failing to take precautions in road construction zones
• Drivers failing to take care in areas children often visit, such as parks, schools, and playgrounds
• Drivers running over pedestrians due to blind spots

If your pedestrian accident injuries were caused in another way, our team can evaluate your case to determine whether you have grounds for legal action.

Where Pedestrians Are Hit in Dayton

Pedestrian crashes can happen anywhere, but in Dayton they cluster where foot traffic and car traffic are both heavy:

• Downtown crosswalks: busy intersections where drivers turning right on red or making left turns cut across people in the crosswalk, a common pattern in crosswalk accidents.
• Third Street and Main Street: the heart of downtown, with buses, delivery trucks, and pedestrians crossing at every corner.
• Salem Avenue: a wide, busy road where higher speeds and long distances between signals tempt people to cross mid-block.
• Near bus stops and RTA hubs: riders getting on and off Greater Dayton RTA buses, especially around the Wright Stop Plaza downtown, often step into traffic or cross between stopped vehicles.
• Parking lots and shopping centers: drivers backing up or cutting through lots without watching for people on foot.

Pedestrian Right of Way in Ohio

Ohio law gives pedestrians the right of way in many situations, but not all of them. Knowing who has the right of way at a crosswalk often decides how fault is divided.

When Drivers Must Yield

Under Ohio Revised Code 4511.46, when there is no working traffic signal, a driver must yield to a pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk who is on the driver’s half of the road or close to it. When one car stops at a crosswalk to let someone cross, a driver coming up from behind may not pass the stopped car. Separate rules on traffic signals give a pedestrian crossing on a Walk signal the right of way, so drivers turning across the crosswalk must wait. Drivers also have a general duty to watch for pedestrians and avoid hitting them, even when the pedestrian is not where they should be.

When Pedestrians Must Yield

Under Ohio Revised Code 4511.48, a pedestrian crossing somewhere other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield to vehicles. A pedestrian who crosses where a tunnel or overhead crossing is provided must also yield to vehicles, and pedestrians must yield to emergency vehicles using lights and sirens. A pedestrian who did not have the right of way can still recover compensation under Ohio’s comparative fault law, as long as the pedestrian was not more than half at fault.

Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accidents

Some drivers flee after hitting a pedestrian, which adds anger and uncertainty to an already frightening experience. Call 911, ask for an officer to take a report, and write down anything you remember about the car, including its color, make, partial plate, and direction of travel. Nearby businesses and buses may have cameras that caught the vehicle.

Even if the driver is never found, you may still have a claim. Uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy, or on the policy of a relative you live with, often covers hit-and-run accidents, including when you were on foot. These claims usually require a prompt police report and may require evidence beyond your own account that another vehicle was involved, so it helps to talk with a lawyer early.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Dayton

Pedestrian accident injuries are often devastating. However, you do not necessarily need a critical injury to have grounds for a claim. A person on foot takes the full force of the impact, and then often strikes the hood, windshield, or pavement. Two kinds of injuries stand out.

Brain Injuries

Head injuries happen when a pedestrian is thrown onto the hood or the road. Even a concussion can cause headaches, memory problems, and trouble concentrating for months, and a severe traumatic brain injury can change a person’s life permanently.

Leg and Pelvis Fractures

A car’s bumper usually strikes an adult at the legs, which is why broken legs, knees, and hips are so common. Pelvic fractures can require surgery, long hospital stays, and months of rehabilitation before a person can walk normally again.

Other Common Injuries

Other injuries seen in Dayton pedestrian accidents include:

• Spinal cord injuries, including different types of paralysis and back injuries
• Internal injuries and organ failure
• Soft tissue injuries
• Lacerations, abrasions, and contusions

Sadly, many pedestrian accidents can turn fatal. If you lost a loved one in one of the fatal pedestrian accidents that happen on Ohio roads, your family may be able to bring a wrongful death claim, and a Dayton wrongful death lawyer can explain how it works.

Steps After a Pedestrian vs. Car Accident

The first steps an injured pedestrian should take after being involved in a traumatizing accident are essential. Here are the first things you need to do:

• Call an ambulance or the Dayton Police Department
• Exchange information with the driver who hit you, including their license number, name, vehicle registration info, and insurance details
• Gather witness info and take photos of the scene and your injuries to support your case against the liable party
• Head to the Miami Valley Hospital or other emergency room in Dayton for a medical evaluation
• Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer for help pursuing your insurance claim and civil lawsuit

Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Will

• Investigate, collect evidence, and find those at fault for your accident.
• Interview witnesses, medical professionals, and experts to show how your life was impacted.
• Communicate with the insurer, clarify liability, and pursue max compensation.
• Determine your accident’s full and fair value, what you lost and deserve.
• Keep you informed and involved. KNR is available by phone, text, email, or Zoom.
• Protect your rights and, if necessary, take your case to court.
• Never charge you upfront. If there’s no recovery, there’s no cost.

Dayton Pedestrian Accident FAQs