Pedestrian Accidents

Austin Personal Injury Lawyer

“¡Es cierto lo que dice su cartelera que definitivamente es El Abogado que Trabaja!”

- Eduardo G.

Austin Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Getting Injured Pedestrians the Proper Treatment They Deserve

While there are many benefits of living in major cities, there are also some inherent dangers. In urban areas there are more high-speed streets and highways, not to mention traffic as thousands of people make their daily commutes in and out of the city. As a result, there are also more pedestrian accidents and fatalities. Austin, Texas is no stranger to pedestrian accidents. In 2019 alone, two out of every five people killed on city roads were pedestrians, according to Austin police data.

Just because these accidents are common, doesn’t mean pedestrians deserve to be injured. If you were harmed in a car accident or you lost someone you cared about, you deserve justice – justice that Chris Morrow Law, PLLC can help deliver. Our Austin pedestrian accident lawyer genuinely cares about the clients he serves throughout Texas and can get you both the treatment and compensation you need after being wrongfully injured.

Need help filing a pedestrian injury lawsuit? Fill out our online form or call (512) 520-8100 to meet with Chris Morrow. Our pedestrian injury lawyer offers legal services in both English and Spanish and are available 24/7 to answer your questions.

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Protecting Your Pedestrian Rights in Texas

Chris Morrow is dedicated to helping members of our community recover after accidents and has a thorough understanding of our state’s laws. Texas has a series of laws to protect its pedestrians from car accidents, meaning any driver who violates these laws can be considered negligent. A main law is that all vehicles must yield the right of way to pedestrians at any crosswalk, both marked and unmarked. Unmarked crossings typically refer to any intersection, including those that don’t have painted crosswalk lines. According to Texas law, every corner in an intersection can be considered a crosswalk.

Drivers are expected to slow down and wait for pedestrians to cross safely, and ignorance of this rule can cause serious injuries. Vehicles are also expected to stop when pedestrians are approaching their half of the roadway.

Other pedestrian-related laws to know about in Texas include:

Pedestrians must yield to cars when crossing anywhere else besides marked or unmarked crosswalks
Cars must yield when pedestrians approach traffic from sidewalks that cross driveways, roads, buildings, and alleys
Pedestrians can only cross traffic light crosswalks when facing a green light or when signaled to walk

Unfortunately, many drivers fail to yield to pedestrians, whether it’s because they’re not paying attention, they’re impaired, or they’re driving too quickly to stop in time. Despite the fact that pedestrians are usually injured in the evening because of the darkness, drivers are still expected to exercise caution and keep an eye out for pedestrians in the road – this is known as a duty of care and any driver found in violation of this duty can be held liable for damages.

What is the Average Settlement for a Pedestrian Who Has Been Hit By a Car?

Each case is unique, and therefore there is no “typical” settlement amount for a pedestrian accident lawsuit. However, when determining a fair settlement the court will take into account the following:

Medical costs
Missed work/lost income
Pain & suffering
Future medical treatment
Lost earning capacity

If you aren’t sure what a fair settlement amount would be for your injuries, you can reach out to our pedestrian injury attorney today to discuss your accident in a free initial consultation.

What Are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

Distraction (both pedestrians and drivers)
Intoxication (both drivers and pedestrians)
Reckless or impatient drivers
Failing to check for pedestrians when making a left-hand turn
Darkness or poor visibility

Where Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Occur?

The majority of pedestrian accidents occur in high population areas including:

Intersections – Accidents are particularly common in areas where there are crosswalks and a heavy flow of traffic.
Roadsides or Shoulders – These areas can be particularly dangerous in high density areas where there is no sidewalk available and pedestrians are forced to walk along the roadside, close to traffic.
Parking Lots – Because of the crowded nature of parking areas, accidents are more common here, particularly when motorists are backing out of spaces or attempting to beat someone to a prime parking spot.
Shared Trails or Paths – Accidents involving other types of vehicles (bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc.) are common on shared biking or walking paths, and, depending on the situation, can be just as dangerous as a car accident.

Ready to get started with your pedestrian accident claim? Call Chris Morrow to seek advice from an established pedestrian accident attorney in Austin at (512) 520-8100. We strive to ensure our clients are 100% recovered before we settle their cases.

What Injuries Are Commonly Associated with Pedestrian Accidents?

Just as motorcyclists are vulnerable and more prone to catastrophic injuries and fatalities in car accidents, pedestrians also lack safety features that can protect them when they’re struck, like seatbelts, helmets, and airbags. Because of the amount of force 3,000-pound vehicles carry, especially when they’re speeding, they’re likely to cause brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and even amputations when they collide with pedestrians. Even vehicles that aren’t driving fast can break bones and cause paralysis. Some pedestrians can be seriously injured when drivers are backing up in parking lots or driveways and fail to see people walking behind them in their mirror or backup cams. Additionally, drivers can cause injuries when they’re turning into alleys or onto streets and strike a crossing pedestrian. Such painful injuries may require surgery, hospitalization, and lots of medication to treat, all of which can be especially expensive when victims have to miss work or quit their jobs to recuperate. It makes sense why pedestrian cases tend to involve higher damages, and why victims can’t afford to not have dedicated legal representation in their time of need.

Is the Driver Always to Blame for Pedestrian Accidents?

Despite the fact that drivers are usually to blame for pedestrian accidents, there are times where pedestrians can be found at fault for road accidents in Texas, too. Texas is known for shared fault cases, where courts can assign responsibility to both sides and reduce the compensation a victim can acquire. The driver and their insurance company may allege that you violated road laws by crossing the street where a crosswalk didn’t exist, or that you dashed into the street at the last moment before the driver had time to respond. For you to receive partial or full compensation in your pedestrian accident cases, the court must determine that you were less than 50 percent responsible for the accident.

Attorney Chris Morrow has the knowledge needed to defend you and your rights so you get the full amount of compensation you deserve. Contact our pedestrian accident lawyer in Austin today to get started with your pedestrian injury claim!