We know too well the pain families endure when a driver’s negligence shatters lives
City officials in Cleveland recently erected a memorial in honor of Danielle Chronister, a 33-year-old woman who was killed in 2021 in a fatal pedestrian accident, which prompted city officials to create a plan designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists in Cleveland, according to Cleveland Scene.
“We should not need to ‘increase awareness’ or ‘get out the message’ that driving cars and trucks into pedestrians is bad,” Ben Chronister said at the memorial ceremony, according to Cleveland Scene. “There is no one over the age of five who is confused on this issue. Cars hitting people is bad.”
At Merriman Legal, LLC, our Cleveland pedestrian accident lawyers understand that tragedies like Danielle Chronister’s death are preventable. These are not accidents in the traditional sense—they’re the result of drivers failing to slow down, yield, or simply pay attention.
Cleveland pedestrian fatality prompts changes in city
In response to incidents like Chronister’s death in 2021, Cleveland city officials recently started introducing their Mobility Plan, which is a “five-year mission to re-do certain Cleveland streets as to better protect cyclists and walkers,” according to Cleveland Scene.
Also known as Cleveland Moves, some of the changes slated to be started or completed this year include:
- Building 50 miles of high comfort bikeways, including adding protective measures to existing bike lanes where appropriate.
- Restriping and adding new separated bike lanes.
- Prioritizing improvements for crosswalks in five “zones” per year.
- Installing centerline hardening at 10 intersections.
- Piloting safety improvements that have been proven in other cities.
How bad are pedestrian accidents in Cuyahoga County?
In recent years, the number of pedestrian fatalities in Cuyahoga County (which includes Cleveland) and Ohio has continued to climb.
According to the most recent statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian deaths increased by:
- 66 percent between 2014 and 2023 in Ohio.
- 31 percent between 2019 and 2023 in Cuyahoga County.
Here’s another startling statistic – 392 pedestrians of all ages were hit by cars in Cleveland in 2024, according to Spectrum 1 News.
What else can be done to prevent pedestrian accidents?
While the Cleveland Moves program will hopefully prevent pedestrian accidents in the city in the future, more can still be done to keep pedestrians safe, including:
- Modifying more streets with pedestrian safety as a priority.
- Installing more protected bicycle lanes.
- Lowering the speed limits on certain Cleveland streets, especially at certain dangerous intersections.
Speeding drivers often cause a significant number of pedestrian accidents, according to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it’s extremely difficult for cities like Cleveland to lower speed limits citywide. That’s because Ohio is not one of the 19 states nationwide that give individual communities the right to set lower speed limits without obtaining state or federal approval.
Injured? Contact a Cleveland pedestrian accident lawyer today
The powerful words from Danielle Chronister’s family cut to the truth: pedestrian deaths are not accidents and are usually the result of negligent drivers. At Merriman Legal, LLC, we understand the legal challenges that pedestrians who have been injured often face. That’s why we want to help. Our experienced Cleveland pedestrian accident lawyers have the knowledge and the skills you need to succeed.
Make our team your team. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Cleveland pedestrian accident attorney who prioritizes your best interests. We’re conveniently located on West 9th Street in Cleveland and handle pedestrian injury claims and lawsuits throughout Northeast Ohio.
“My daughter went thru a very traumatic injury....Tom and his team not only fought for her, they were such a HUGE support system for her as she went throughout her whole ordeal. Best I can sum up, this is who you need on your side! They were always so good to us at the office, too." ─ Jeffrey, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
