Texas Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Texas Pedestrian Accident Statistics

There were 5,921 accidents involving motor vehicles and pedestrians (roughly one pedestrian accident every 1.48 hours) according to the Texas Department of Transportation’s 2023 accident report.  The range of severity of those types of pedestrian accidents is below.

• Fatality crashes:  799 fatal crashes with pedestrians which led to the deaths of 807 pedestrians
• Serious injury crashes:  1,392 serious crashes with pedestrians that resulted in 1,457 pedestrians sustaining serious injuries
• Minor injury crashes:  2,257 minor crashes with pedestrians that led to 2,412 pedestrians sustaining minor injuries
• Possible injury crashes:  1,233 possible injury crashes with pedestrians which resulted in 1,331 possibly injured pedestrians
• No injury crashes:  223 non-injury crashes with pedestrians in which 251 pedestrians were not injured
• Unknown severity crashes:  17 unknown severity crashes with pedestrians which resulted in unknown injuries to 79 pedestrians

These staggering numbers are up 2.7% just compared to 2022 statistics according the Texas Department of Transportation’s injury and crash report.

Additional Statistics

From 2018 to 2022 pedestrian traffic has gone up 30% putting a higher risk for serious accidents and injuries than ever before in Texas. Across the United States the CDC reported more than 8,000 pedestrian fatalities which is about one death every 66 minutes in 2021.

Speed, location, vehicle size and alcohol are all major risk factors. Also, distracted driving is also a major cause of these accidents including cell phone usage while driving.

Most of these accidents (92%) occurred on surface streets, with the remaining 8% taking place on freeways. The most common contributing factor to these accidents is failure to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians (48%), followed by speeding (24%), and pedestrians walking outside of crosswalks (14%).

Alcohol was a contributing factor in 16% of accidents, and cell phone use was a factor in 8% of accidents. These statistics highlight the importance of both drivers and pedestrians taking precautions to avoid accidents. Drivers should always yield to pedestrians, and both drivers and pedestrians should avoid distracting behaviors such as texting.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, call the Texas pedestrian accident lawyers at Thompson Law for a FREE CONSULTATION. We can answer any questions you have with no obligation to hire us, and help you understand your legal rights. If you do choose to hire our law firm, we can have a pedestrian accident attorney start working on your case today.

Additional Factors Increasing Risk of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents in Texas are notably prevalent and dangerous due to a combination of factors that contribute to elevated risk levels on the roads. Understanding these causes can help in developing strategies to address and mitigate the risks for pedestrians across the state. Factors include:

• Urban Sprawl and Infrastructure:  Texas is known for its significant urban sprawl, with cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin having expansive road networks designed primarily for vehicular traffic rather than pedestrian use. Many areas lack adequate sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals, forcing people to walk along or cross busy roads without adequate safety measures.
• High Traffic Volume:  With a rapidly growing population and a robust economy, Texas sees a high volume of motor vehicle traffic. This increase in vehicles on the road elevates the likelihood of accidents, particularly in densely populated urban areas where pedestrians and vehicles frequently interact.
• Speed Limits and Driver Behavior:  Many Texan roads have high speed limits, particularly in suburban and rural areas, which can increase the severity of accidents when they do occur. Additionally, aggressive driving behavior, including speeding and failure to yield to pedestrians, often contributes to the high number of accidents.
• Limited Public Transport Options:  In many Texan cities, public transportation options are limited, encouraging more people to use personal vehicles. This reliance on cars often means more vehicles on the road and less focus on pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and safety measures.
• Poor Lighting and Visibility:  Poorly lit streets and highways make it challenging for drivers to spot pedestrians, especially at night. Insufficient street lighting and lack of reflective clothing on pedestrians increase the risk of nighttime accidents.

If you or a loved one are a victim of a pedestrian as a result of one of the above factors or any other, please contact our Texas pedestrian accident lawyers at Thompson Law where we always offer a FREE CONSULTATION and there is NEVER A FEE unless we win your case.

Texas Pedestrian Laws

For Texas pedestrian accident victims, understanding your rights and the laws that protect you is crucial. Here is a list of key pedestrian laws in Texas, specifically concerning interactions between pedestrians and vehicles:

• Right-of-Way at Crosswalks:  Pedestrians do not always have the right of way in Texas, but they do have the right-of-way at marked crosswalks and intersections without traffic signals. Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing at these designated locations.
• Crossing at Non-Crosswalk Locations:  Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to vehicles when crossing roads at places other than crosswalks or intersections. Crossing between adjacent intersections with traffic control signals is only allowed at marked crosswalks.
• Use of Sidewalks:  Where sidewalks are provided, it is unlawful for pedestrians to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway. If sidewalks are absent, pedestrians should walk on the left side of the roadway or the shoulder facing oncoming traffic.
• Pedestrian Signals:  Pedestrians must obey pedestrian control signals where they are in place, such as “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” signs. Failure to comply with these signals can result in citations.
• Prohibited Areas:  Pedestrians are prohibited from standing in the roadway to solicit rides, employment, or business from vehicle occupants. Hitchhiking is illegal unless under emergency circumstances.
• Pedestrians and Vehicles Turning:  Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians legally crossing the road when the driver is turning into or through a crosswalk.
• Blind Pedestrians:  Vehicles are required to yield the right-of-way to blind pedestrians, identified by a white cane or guide dog.

Understanding these laws can aid in determining liability and protecting your rights in the event of a pedestrian accident. It is in your best interest to contact our Texas pedestrian lawyers if you have been the victim of a serious accident. We always offer a FREE CONSULTATION and there are NO UPFRONT FEES.

Proving Negligence in Texas Pedestrian Accidents

If you are injured as a pedestrian your lawyer must prove negligence or fault on the side of the driver. This may seem like a simple task but requires specific legal elements that only a qualified legal representative can prove. Proving negligence requires your Texas pedestrian accident lawyers to demonstrate four legal elements:

1. Breach of Duty: This means the driver acted in a way that is not consistent with the reasonable actions of most drivers. Your attorney must prove that the driver of the vehicle that struck you breached this duty of care that is owed to you. Examples of breach of duty include:
   • Speeding, or driving at an unsafe speed for the surrounding conditions
   • Ran a stop sign or stop light, including turning right on a red light when you had the right of way
   • Alcohol use at the time of the accident
   • Distracted driving when the collision occurred, such as texting and driving
   • Not paying attention at a crosswalk, and not adhering to pedestrian safety laws
2. Duty of Care:  This means that all drivers are expected to always follow the law and exercise caution and defensive driving. Your legal team must prove that the driver at fault did not exercise a legal duty of care. Texas law requires drivers to drive carefully on the road to protect drivers, pedestrians, bicyclist, and others from the harm that colliding with a motor vehicle can cause.
3. Damages:  Your attorney must prove that you suffered real financial, physical, and emotional losses due to your injuries. Proving damages in pedestrian accident cases is often demonstrated by presenting medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
4. Causation:  Your Texas injury attorney must demonstrate that your injuries were a direct cause of this breach of duty by the defendant. In other words, you would not have suffered your injuries if the driver had not breached his or her duty of care owed to you.

Our Texas pedestrian accident lawyers are qualified and prepared to review the facts of your case and determine whether there was negligence on the part of the driver. We offer FREE CONSULTATIONS to victims of pedestrian accidents across Texas, so call us today. Our attorneys will fight for every bit of compensation you are owed under the law.

Types of Serious Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Pedestrian injuries can be very serious and often catastrophic and fatal. Victims of pedestrian accidents often face short and long-term consequences as a result and can be life-altering. Many of the most serious of those injuries are listed below.

• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis injuries
• Internal injuries, particularly organ damage
• Traumatic brain injuries or TBI’s
• Fractured bones, particularly in the legs from the impact or arms when bracing for impact
• Lacerations and abrasions
• Major scarring, often requiring surgical revision by plastic surgeons
• Joint injuries
• Amputation
• Wrongful death

If a car, truck, or motorcycle seriously injured you or a loved one while you were walking, call our Texas pedestrian accident lawyers at Thompson Law for a FREE CONSULTATION. There are NO FEES until we win your case.

Types of Recoverable Compensation for a Texas Pedestrian Accident

Victims of pedestrian accidents in Texas may be entitled to various forms of compensation for their injuries and losses. Here’s a list of recoverable elements of compensation typically available:

• Medical Expenses:  Compensation for hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any ongoing medical treatment related to the accident.
• Lost Wages:  Reimbursement for lost income during recovery and future earning capacity if the injury impacts work ability.
• Pain and Suffering:  Compensation for emotional distress, mental anguish, and overall loss of enjoyment of life due to the accident.
• Property Damage:  Recovery for damages to personal property, such as clothing or tools that were damaged in the accident.
• Rehabilitative Services:  Coverage for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other rehabilitation costs necessary for recovery.
• Loss of Consortium:  Compensation awarded to the spouse or family members for loss of companionship and support because of the injury.
• Punitive Damages:  In cases of gross negligence or recklessness by the driver, additional punitive damages may be awarded to deter similar conduct in the future.

Understanding these compensations can aid pedestrian accident victims in pursuing a claim and ensuring they receive the justice and recovery they deserve. Always call our Texas pedestrian accident lawyers to explore ALL your specific entitlements. Every case is different so take advantage of a FREE CONSULTATION from the experts at Thompson Law. There is NEVER A FEE until we win your case!

NO UPFRONT FEES-Texas Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Call Our Texas Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today

The pedestrian accident attorneys at Thompson Law have the experience needed and will fight to get you the compensation to which you and your family are entitled. Call Thompson Law today for a FREE CONSULTATION with one of our Texas pedestrian accident lawyers.

If you need Texas pedestrian accident lawyers, give us a call today and let us manage all the legal aspects of your case and negotiate with the insurance companies for you. If you do not need an accident lawyer today, save our contact information in your phone so you are not having to search for “pedestrian accident lawyers near me” when you most need an injury attorney.

The statute of limitations in Texas is 2 years in most injury accidents. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, call us today or submit a form for a NO COST, NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION with the Texas pedestrian accident lawyers at Thompson Law.

Take action to protect your right to a full value monetary recovery. The sooner you know your options, the faster you’ll be on the path to recovery.