The DJF Law Firm, PLLC

Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident due to someone else’s negligent actions, do not hesitate to contact The DJF Law Firm, PLLC. We can review your case and advise you about your available legal options. You might be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, hospital bills, and other expenses.

Pedestrians are at a greater risk of severe injury than others involved in motor vehicle accidents. The human body can’t withstand the forces placed on it during a collision without the protection of the metal frame of a car or another vehicle. It takes the full brunt of the impact. Life-threatening injuries or death could occur.

At The DJF Law Firm, PLLC, we understand the seriousness of a pedestrian accident case. When you hire us, we will start working on a strategy to hold the negligent party liable. You can depend on us to fight for you and pursue the maximum possible compensation.

Call The DJF Law Firm, PLLC at 832-529-3476 today for your free consultation with one of our dedicated and knowledgeable Houston pedestrian accident lawyers. Let us get you the justice you deserve.

Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents

A pedestrian accident can result from a range of circumstances. The most common types of pedestrian accidents include:

  • Crosswalk accidents – Although pedestrians can use crosswalks to safely walk to the other side of the road, a distracted or inattentive driver might not yield the right of way. The pedestrian could get struck by a car if the driver doesn’t slow down or stop to let them pass.
  • Right-turn accidents – Motorists approaching intersections must look for pedestrians trying to cross the road. Turning right without checking for foot traffic could lead to a catastrophic accident.
  • Backing up accidents – Drivers should use extreme caution while backing out of parking spaces. They should always look behind them first. If they ignore their surroundings, they could crash into a pedestrian who is walking behind their car.
  • Left-turn accidents – Turning left in a vehicle requires looking for anyone approaching the driver before proceeding. Making a left turn without looking for pedestrians in the middle of the road can have deadly consequences.
  • Hit-and-run accidents – A hit-and-run occurs when a driver is in an accident and flees the scene. A motorist might hit a pedestrian and drive off without checking on them or calling for help.
  • Parking lot accidents – Typically, pedestrian accidents in parking lots happen at relatively low speeds. However, severe injuries are still possible. A driver could run over someone behind their car or crash into someone crossing their path.

Whether you sustained a minor or severe injury in a pedestrian accident, you should contact The DJF Law Firm, PLLC. We can determine who is at fault and seek the money you need to compensate you for your losses.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents commonly occur when a driver makes a dangerous error or acts recklessly. Some drivers ignore traffic laws or let distractions take their attention away from the road ahead.

The most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

  • Distracted driving – Unfortunately, many drivers don’t understand the real dangers of distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,142 people died in distracted driving accidents in 2020. Distractions prevent motorists from noticing their surroundings and reacting appropriately.
  • Speeding – High-speed accidents that involve pedestrians can be deadly. A driver could lose control of their vehicle while traveling at high speeds. They could swerve onto a sidewalk or crash into people crossing the street.
  • Driving under the influence – Alcohol and drugs affect a person’s faculties. Driving under the influence impairs a person’s judgment, motor skills, and decision-making. A drunk driver likely won’t notice a pedestrian in their path or react quickly enough to avoid a collision.
  • Failing to yield the right of way – Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks under specific circumstances. Drivers must stop and allow foot traffic to proceed ahead of them. However, a careless motorist might ignore the signs or signals and continue driving through an intersection or crosswalk.

At The DJF Law Firm, PLLC, we know the toll a pedestrian accident can take. Getting hurt in a collision someone else could have avoided is devastating. It can upend your entire life and affect your physical abilities, family, and job.

You should reach out to The DJF Law Firm, PLLC immediately after the crash. We will handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on your recovery. You will have a dedicated and compassionate attorney in your corner to guide you through the overwhelming and confusing process of pursuing compensation. We will not give up on getting money for you without a fight.

Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents

A pedestrian accident can be traumatic. When someone gets hit by a car, immediate injuries can occur. Subsequent injuries are common from flying debris or getting run over by a vehicle. Severe injuries can lead to long-term issues.

Many people require emergency care and ongoing treatment. Sometimes, surgery is necessary to repair internal injuries or address a life-threatening complication. Injured pedestrians often struggle for months or years with permanent or recurring problems.

The most common injuries pedestrian accidents cause include:

  • Paralysis
  • Loss of limb
  • Broken bones
  • Disfigurement
  • Hip or pelvic fractures
  • Road rash
  • Emotional distress
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Internal bleeding
  • Nerve damage
  • Internal injuries
  • Spinal cord injury

Psychological injuries can also result from a pedestrian accident. Lingering emotional or mental trauma can occur even if physical injuries heal. Some people develop phobias about driving or suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A disfiguring or disabling injury can lead to depression.

Coping with what happened can be challenging. You might require ongoing therapy or counseling. The effects of the crash could be a daily struggle and prevent you from returning to your regular routine.

Compensation Available for Pedestrian Accident Injuries

You could file a claim with the negligent driver’s auto insurance carrier even though you weren’t in a car at the time of the collision. State law requires every motorist to carry liability coverage with minimum limits of:

  • $30,000 for bodily injury per person
  • $60,000 for bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 for property damage

Whether you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit, you could receive compensation for your:

  • Loss of household services
  • Hospitalization, imaging tests, surgery, and other medical bills
  • Expenses to modify your home for a disability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Physical impairment or disfigurement
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Damage to personal property

You might be able to recover exemplary damages if you file a lawsuit for the pedestrian accident. This type of financial award punishes the defendant for their misconduct and deters similar actions in the future. You must show clear and convincing evidence of the at-fault party’s fraud, malice, or gross negligence to be awarded these damages by the court.

Pedestrian accidents are often fatal. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 6,516 pedestrians died in accidents in 2020. You could pursue a wrongful death case if you lost your loved one in a pedestrian accident due to someone else’s negligence.

Only a surviving spouse, child, or parent can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas. If no surviving family members initiate a case within three months of the death, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate could pursue legal action unless the surviving family explicitly requests them not to file.

In a wrongful death case, you could recover compensation for:

  • Lost inheritance, including what the deceased could have saved if they survived the accident
  • Lost earning capacity
  • The mental anguish and pain the surviving family members endured
  • Loss of companionship, comfort, love, and society
  • Lost services, advice, care, maintenance, counsel, and support

The DJF Law Firm, PLLC will attempt to maximize the value of your case and aggressively seek the money owed to you. We will consider all contributing factors when assessing the value of your case.

You don’t have to worry about communicating with the insurance company or preparing a lawsuit against the at-fault party. We will take care of everything for you. You should focus your time and attention on attending your doctor’s appointments to get your life back on track.

Statute of Limitations for a Pedestrian Accident

In Texas, the statute of limitations for pedestrian accidents allows a two-year timeframe to file a lawsuit. That means you must initiate your lawsuit against the at-fault party within two years of the accident. You could lose your right to pursue compensation through the court system if two years pass before you file your case.

The wrongful death statute of limitations also allows a two-year period for filing a lawsuit. You have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file suit if you want to seek compensation.

Contact Us

The DJF Law Firm, PLLC is ready to represent you in your case and hold the person or company that injured you accountable for their wrongdoing. We believe in advocating for the injured and standing up for their rights. Our Houston pedestrian accident lawyers will work diligently to try to obtain the full value of your claim.

If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries in a pedestrian accident, call us at 832-529-3476 for your free consultation. Let us help you get on the road to recovery.