Do you know you can still file a lawsuit in Ohio if you are a pedestrian hit on the side of the road? As per stats, Ohio isn’t safe for pedestrians as over 100 pedestrians lose their lives yearly in road accidents.
Getting hit by an overspeeding car or a distracted driver on the sidewalk is the worst. In 2018, the number of pedestrians killed in Ohio in road accidents was 133, while 2617 were left injured as per the Ohio Department of Public Safety data on road accidents.
Even as a pedestrian, your safety is in your hands. For this reason, here is how you can avoid a pedestrian accident in Ohio.
As a pedestrian, you should know the rules for pedestrians in Ohio. Following them will not only be safer altogether but also help you present your accident case better with the help of a pedestrian accident attorney in Ohio.
Pedestrian road safety rules in Ohio
- Know flashing/steady stop hand signal means
As a pedestrian, you should be aware of the flashing or steady Stop Hand signal, and the flashing/steady Don’t Walk signal. Pedestrians can cross the street if the signal is flashing and cannot when the signal is steady.
- Use only crosswalk
You would lose your right if you were hit by a moving vehicle while not walking at a crosswalk. Pedestrians must only cross roads with the help of crosswalks. The right of the way is for vehicular vehicles if you are not crossing at a crosswalk.
- Look in both directions
This is a general rule for pedestrians to look at both sides of the crosswalk before taking a step forward towards the crosswalk. You should not cross it if you see a high-speeding car moving toward you.
- Walk on sidewalks
When there is a proper sidewalk, a pedestrian should walk on these pathways. In their absence, the pedestrian should walk on the edge of the road as much as possible to give the right of way to vehicular traffic.
- No pedestrians on freeways
A pedestrian can only walk on freeways in case of emergency and when a motor vehicle breaks down in the middle of the road. The only other condition to walk on freeways is near to the rest area.
- Hitching
Hitching is not allowed on Ohio roads outside of the safety zone. No pedestrian can ask for a lift from the moving vehicle standing on the highway.
- Blind pedestrians
In Ohio, blind pedestrians are given the right of the way by every driver and can carry a white cane. They can also accompany guide dogs.
- Wear reflective clothing
If you are walking at night, pedestrians are requested to wear reflective clothing or reflective strips to help the moving vehicle see them in the dark. Carrying a flashlight is also a corrective measure.
Following such rules on Ohio roads are very important. Failing to follow these rules and filing compensation will hurt your case. Pedestrians should follow these rules to avoid accidents.
Driver’s rules for pedestrians
The drivers in Ohio should also follow proper road safety rules to make roads safe for both pedestrians and vehicles. Since 72% of pedestrian accidents occur at places other than intersections/crosswalks, Ohio law also imposes a duty on drivers to avoid hitting pedestrians even when it’s the driver’s right of way.
Here are some rules on how drivers can avoid hitting pedestrians in Ohio:
- Drive within the speed limit
Drivers should drive within the speed limit i.e. 30mph. This isn’t only safe for pedestrians but also prevents drivers from collecting speed violations. In case of adverse road conditions like fogging, or night or winter driving, drivers should drive slower than necessary in such conditions to avoid accidents of any sort.
- Follow traffic rules
When on the road, drivers should know about the right to change lanes, what each road sign means, give the right of way to a pedestrian on a crosswalk when the hand signal is flashing, and more. Drivers should also drive slower when they are closer to sidewalks. This will help pedestrians, even bicyclers, and joggers, to walk safely.
It is legal to take a right turn in Ohio only after a complete stop, stopping at the red signal, and when no pedestrians are waiting to cross the road.
- Do not drive distracted
Drivers should also not talk phone while driving. Speeding and distracted driving is the most lethal combination. Drivers should refrain from doing multiple tasks when driving and always have a lookout for pedestrians. They should also be careful when they see a blind pedestrian on the road.
Most pedestrian accidents occur at locations other than intersections like sidewalks, parking areas, bicycle lanes etc.
- Be cautious when night driving
Pedestrians are required to wear reflective clothes when using sidewalks at night. However, drivers should still be cautious when nearing sidewalks and crosswalks. As per NHTSA pedestrian accident stats, 75% of pedestrian fatalities occur at night. The headlights should be on. Mirrors should be clear.
These are some of the ways drivers can avoid pedestrian accidents in Ohio. Above all, don’t drink and drive, as driving under influence is one of the top reasons for pedestrian accidents. As per NHTSA, 48% of pedestrian deaths were caused due to driving under influence. Moreover, 33% of the pedestrian fatalities were caused when the driver has a BAC level of 0.08 or above.
BAC above 0.08 is considered as driving under influence in Ohio. The driver can get arrested for the same. The situation could worsen if it resulted in a pedestrian accident, as homicide by vehicle leads to a six-point violation.
When to contact an attorney
If you are a pedestrian accident victim, you have all the right to file a lawsuit and get compensation for your injuries. The personal injury attorneys in Ohio will work on your case if you are a victim of any automobile accident, be it a pedestrian accident, car accident, or a hit and run case. Contact us today to learn more.
