Pedestrian Accidents

Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Pedestrian Accidents in Texas

Texas is one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), pedestrian accidents increased by nearly 10 percent in 2020 from the previous year, leading to more than 1,200 serious injuries and 731 deaths. Currently, pedestrian fatalities account for almost one in five, or 20 percent, of all traffic accident fatalities in the state.

If you were seriously injured, or if someone you love passed away as a result of a pedestrian accident, you deserve justice. At The Shellist Law Firm, PLLC, we fight to hold negligent motorists and other parties accountable for the immense pain, suffering, and harm they cause. Our Houston pedestrian accident attorneys have extensive trial experience and are prepared to aggressively advocate for you, both in and out of the courtroom. Along the way, we will remain consistently available to answer your questions, address your concerns, and guide you through the legal process.

Get started with a free consultation today; call (713) 999-6855 or contact us online.

Do Pedestrians Have the Right of Way in Texas?

Many of us have heard the common refrain, “pedestrians always have the right of way,” but this is not strictly true. In fact, Texas pedestrian laws outline several instances in which pedestrians must yield to oncoming vehicles.

While pedestrians always have the right of way when lawfully crossing in marked or unmarked sidewalks, they also have the following responsibilities:

  • Pedestrians must obey red lights, wait, and do not walk signals and may only cross on green/walk signals in the appointed direction when such signals are in place
  • When approaching an intersection with a yellow signal or blinking wait/do not walk signal, pedestrians must wait to cross/yield to vehicles
  • Pedestrians must yield to vehicles/oncoming traffic when crossing a street or roadway outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection
  • Pedestrians should avoid suddenly leaving a curb or another place of safety and entering a roadway, whether in a crosswalk or not, when oncoming vehicles cannot reasonably yield
  • Pedestrians should use designated pedestrian crossings, such as pedestrian tunnels or overhead crossings, when available and must yield to vehicles if not using crossings
  • Jaywalking, or crossing a roadway between adjacent intersections outside of a marked crosswalk, is illegal in Texas
  • When sidewalks are available, pedestrians must use them and may only walk on the side of a road when there is no sidewalk present or available
  • When legally walking on the side of the road, pedestrians must stay as far to the left side of the road as possible, walk on the shoulder, and face oncoming traffic (when on a highway)

That being said, Texas Transportation Code § 552.008 mandates that drivers must always exercise due care and take reasonable measures to prevent collisions with pedestrians. This includes honking vehicle horns to warn pedestrians (when necessary), as well as using “proper precaution” when driving near children or individuals who are “obviously confused or incapacitated.”

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Because pedestrians have zero protection against motor vehicles, they often sustain catastrophic injuries when they are struck by cars, motorcycles, trucks, and other vehicles. These collisions tend to be particularly deadly when the vehicle is traveling at high speeds.

Some of the most common pedestrian accident-related injuries include:

  • Broken bones/fractures
  • Head and brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
  • Accidental amputation
  • Road rash/friction burns
  • Punctured lungs
  • Organ damage
  • Face injuries
  • Internal bleeding
  • Blunt force trauma

These and other injuries typically necessitate immediate medical attention, and many victims will require hospitalization, surgery, and other costly medical treatments. Some may even need lifelong care due to severe disability and permanent impairment.

At The Shellist Law Firm, PLLC, our Houston pedestrian accident attorneys work tirelessly to recover maximum compensation for injured pedestrians and the families of those wrongfully killed. We build powerful, innovative cases based on each individual’s unique needs, and we seek settlements that account for all of their medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

What to Do After a Pedestrian-Vehicle Accident

If you or someone you love has been involved in a collision with a careless motorist, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Most often, pedestrians receive emergency care at the scene and/or are transported to a nearby hospital. However, if you walked away from the accident and have not yet seen a doctor, do so immediately. In many cases, the shock of being involved in an accident can mask the extent and severity of one’s injuries. You should always seek professional medical attention if you are involved in a pedestrian accident.

Once you have sought medical care, you should try to do the following:

  • Report the accident to local law enforcement. If a police officer came to the scene of the accident, or if you were transported to the hospital and unable to provide a statement, an official report will have almost certainly been filed by the officer at the scene.
  • Preserve any evidence you have from the accident. This includes any pictures you were able to take, witness statements you were able to obtain, and the clothing you were wearing at the time. You should also preserve medical records, police reports, and other documents.
  • If possible, try to get the name, contact information, and insurance information of the driver who hit you. If you were unable to collect this information at the scene, it should be documented on the official police report.
  • Contact an attorney who can assist you in filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the liable party. At The Shellist Law Firm, PLLC, we offer free initial consultations in person, by phone, and via video conferencing for your convenience.

Getting in touch with an experienced attorney is one of the best things you can do to protect your rights and your recovery after a pedestrian accident. The Shellist Law Firm, PLLC is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we do not collect any legal fees unless we win your case. If we do not recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf, you do not pay.

Schedule an appointment with our Houston pedestrian accident lawyers today by calling (713) 999-6855 or by contacting us online.

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Mr. Shellist also serves as a legal analyst on ABC-13, providing in-depth breakdowns on local cases and legal concerns. His analyses include insights into everything from jury selection to mistrials to civil rights, and he is frequently tapped by local media outlets to discuss his opinions on various high-profile cases, including the Casey Anthony murder trial.
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What Attorney Shellist and His Team Bring to the Table

  • Practicing Law for Two Decades
    Having practiced law for 20 years, you can be confident attorney Steve Shellist can successfully handle your case.
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    As a former chief prosecutor, Mr. Shellist knows how to present a compelling case in front of a jury.
  • Highly Personalized Representation
    At Shellist Law, we believe every case requires tailored representation in order to achieve the best possible outcome for the client.
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    Over the years, Mr. Shellist has been called on by ABC-13 News to share his expertise on many newsworthy cases.
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Call The Shellist Law Firm, PLLC at (713) 999-6855 today to speak with our experienced team.