Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Harris County, TX | Todd E. Webb

If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, there is likely a severe aftermath. If you were the accident victim, you are dealing with significant injuries that have caused you financial losses and other substantial effects. If your loved one has died in a pedestrian accident, your family has a void that you simply cannot fill. When someone else was responsible for the pedestrian accident, you may be eligible for significant financial compensation after an intensive legal process. 

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Roughly one in every five of the nation’s pedestrian accidents occur in Texas. In 2023, there were over 5,500 pedestrian accidents that resulted in over 800 fatalities. The number of pedestrian accidents in Texas has spiked in recent years, in line with a national trend. Not only are there more pedestrian accidents, but also those that happen are more severe. 

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Harris County

In general, it may be difficult for a driver to see a pedestrian. This is even more so when a motorist is operating a large vehicle that is not on eye level with pedestrians. Compounding the dangers is the fact that drivers are not always paying attention because they may be doing something else behind the wheel. 

All it takes is a moment of driver inattention, or a reckless disregard for traffic rules, to cause a pedestrian accident that can change the course of your life. Common causes of pedestrian accidents include the following:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Failure to yield the right of way when required by law
• Drunk driving

The common theme in pedestrian accidents is that you gain a legal entitlement to full compensation when you are able to show that the driver was negligent. If you can prove that the driver acted unreasonably under the circumstances, they will owe you full compensation for your injuries. 

Why Pedestrian Accidents Cause More Serious Injuries

It is very rare that a pedestrian who has been struck by a car will emerge from the accident unharmed. In fact, they will likely be even more badly hurt than many who have been involved in accidents. The reasons for this are as follows:

• Pedestrians have nothing to protect themselves from the impact of an accident.
• Motorists are driving larger vehicles that have the potential to cause more serious injuries.
• Drivers are acting more recklessly these days, and their speed results in more serious accidents.
• Pedestrians may be thrown by the force of the crash, whether it is to the ground or through the windshield.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Pedestrian accidents can cause the following injuries:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Head and neck injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Soft tissue injuries

These injuries can change the course of your life. You may need extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, and there is a chance that you may never recover. For your part, you should get all the necessary medical treatment and stick with your care. Not only does your long-term health depend on it, but also your ability to receive full financial compensation is on the line.

Insurance Companies Often Like to Blame the Victim

Insurance companies know that your pedestrian accident claim may be worth a lot of money. They see how badly that you have been hurt, and they understand that they may need to write you a large check. Accordingly, the insurance company may resort to various tactics to either try to reduce the size of your settlement or eliminate it entirely.

One common tactic that insurance companies use is to try to spread the blame to an injured pedestrian. They may argue that the pedestrian crossed the street in a place where they should not, or that they did not have the right of way. If that happens, you need to be prepared to vigorously defend your own legal right to compensation. Your pedestrian accident lawyer must present evidence that clears your name and preserves your right to be fully paid for your injuries.

What Happens if My Loved One Died in a Pedestrian Accident?

Texas law allows families to file a wrongful death claim when their loved one has been lost in an accident. In this situation, it would be the personal representative who files the claim on behalf of the affected family members. Texas law allows certain family members to share in the proceeds of the wrongful death case.

Wrongful death cases proceed much in the same way as any other type of personal injury claim. The difference is that the compensation depends on the family’s losses, since they are the plaintiff who has suffered damages.

What Is the Statute of Limitations in a Pedestrian Accident Case?

Texas law imposes a time limitation on your right to sue for pedestrian accident injuries. This is known as the statute of limitations. Under Texas law, you have two years from the date that you were injured to file a legal claim. If you miss this deadline, you will not be entitled to financial compensation because you lose the right to file a lawsuit entirely. It is advisable to contact a pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible after your injury, even if you have two years to sue. You want to get started on the legal process as soon as possible because you may lose evidence that you need to prove your case. 

Frequently Asked Questions