Did you know that, on average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every two hours and another is injured every seven minutes? Or that a quarter of pedestrians struck by vehicles are hit while using designated crosswalk areas? Texas laws governing pedestrian rights are often intricate and technical. Whether your injury occurred in a crosswalk, sidewalk, highway shoulder, or in the roadway, you need to clearly understand what your legal rights are and the options available to you in order to recoup the maximum amount of damages to which you are entitled.
Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible is crucial if you or a loved one was victimized in a pedestrian accident. The potential dangers for pedestrians in Austin are numerous. People walking in crosswalks, jogging on the road, cycling or even walking on sidewalks are especially vulnerable to motor vehicle and mass transit traffic such as buses and trains. When a negligent driver injures a pedestrian, the driver is often at fault, even if the pedestrian was not in a marked crosswalk.
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable people on the road. Pedestrians have the right to move around safely where traffic is present. The worth of a pedestrian accident case often depends on the nature and severity of the injuries sustained. In Texas, hundreds of pedestrians are killed every year in accidents involving a car or truck. My attorney can help you if you have been in a pedestrian accident and injured due to the negligence or recklessness of a driver.
Unfortunately, the most likely victims of pedestrian accidents are children. The injuries that children suffer from being hit can be horrific and life-threatening. The worth of a pedestrian accident case depends on the nature and severity of the injuries sustained. When a vehicle hits a person walking, that person generally has no protection from the impact. While motorists have airbags and seat belts and bicyclists at least have helmets, pedestrians often bear the full brunt of a crash. Furthermore, if the car was traveling at higher speeds, a pedestrian can often go flying onto the car and may eventually land on the pavement. Multiple points of impact often mean multiple injuries that all require medical care and it can drive up the value of a case. In all pedestrian accident cases, common injuries include torn tendons and cartilage, broken bones, herniated discs, or internal injuries to organs. In addition, pedestrian accidents are often catastrophic. Injuries such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries can leave a victim paralyzed or with long-term cognitive impairments. Such disabilities can prohibit an accident victim from returning to work or even from ever earning a living again. The more serious the injuries, the higher the related losses tend to be.
Many pedestrian injuries occur because of a collision with a car, truck, motorcycle, or another type of motor vehicle. But drivers are not the only parties that can cause a pedestrian accident. Typical causes of pedestrian accidents include failure to stop at a pedestrian right of way, failure to stop at a red light or a traffic signal, failure to stop when a school bus arm is visible, failure to look when turning into a crosswalk, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or driving negligently or speeding. If your pedestrian accident occurred due to any type of negligence, you will generally have the right to hold the negligent party or parties liable for your injury-related losses.
Pedestrian accidents often go unreported because the pedestrians fail to report their accident to law enforcement officials. These disastrous accidents are usually caused due to driver negligence. Unlike a typical car accident, a pedestrian injury collision usually leaves little tangible evidence at the scene of the accident (like broken glass or vehicular damages). In many instances, the police arrive after the injured pedestrian has been transported to a hospital. It is therefore essential, if you or a loved one is injured in a pedestrian accident, that you consult with reliable and competent lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney can then conduct witness interviews, gather evidence to strengthen your case, and provide you with the advice you need to determine the best actions to take.
Generally speaking, the deciding factor in pedestrian-automotive accident cases is what standard of care the defendant owed the injured person. Drivers and pedestrians alike must both abide by the rules of the road and exercise reasonable care. In many instances, it may appear obvious as to who was ultimately responsible or negligent, but the Courts generally consider a multitude of factors when determining fault.
Seeking recovery for injuries can be a complicated process and insurance companies and adversaries in court both can take advantage of injured victims who are unfamiliar with the process and with their own rights. For example, insurance companies will often make extremely low settlement offers that are all too often accepted because a victim may not realize they have other options for recovery. Those who may be liable for your injuries may attempt to place the blame on you for the accident. The responsible party may attempt to fabricate evidence, twist your words, or lie about the details leading up to the collision. If you are involved in a pedestrian accident, you need a highly-skilled lawyer on your side.
An experienced lawyer can advise you throughout your case and help to maximize the compensation you receive. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident make sure to speak with a personal injury lawyer who can help deal with the insurance companies after a pedestrian accident. You may be entitled to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering following the accident.