In a bustling city like Houston, pedestrians often face the risk of injury or death due to negligent drivers. Even when following traffic rules and using designated crosswalks, pedestrians can be struck by motorists who fail to exercise caution. Such accidents can lead to lifelong physical and emotional trauma.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Houston, you need a skilled Houston pedestrian accident lawyer on your side. At Lowe Law, we are dedicated to representing pedestrian accident victims and holding negligent parties accountable. Contact a Houston personal injury lawyer from our team to get started on your case today.
Our Houston Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Are Committed to Securing Maximum Compensation
If a negligent driver has injured you, you have the right to pursue compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Handling a pedestrian accident claim or case on your own can be overwhelming. But, thankfully, a Houston pedestrian accident attorney from Lowe Law can help.
Under Texas law, our Houston personal injury lawyers will pursue the maximum compensation allowed, ensuring that it covers both past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
They will calculate economic losses and non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. Some of the factors that your pedestrian accident lawyer in Houston may recommend including in your personal injury claim include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, out-of-pocket expenses, emotional distress, disfigurement, and pain and suffering.
Check us out in the news and read about some of the successful cases we have handled for clients just like you. We offer our services in both English and Spanish. Contact our office to set up an appointment with a pedestrian accident attorney in Houston to discuss your case and learn more about us.
Texas Statute of Limitations Timeline
It is of utmost importance to make sure that you do not waste time in filing your case. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 16, you must file within two years of your personal injury accident, or you could risk losing your chance at recovering compensation for your losses. Some exceptions apply, so be sure to discuss your situation with a lawyer and get advice on how to best build your case.
Pedestrian Accidents in Houston
In the city of Houston, pedestrian accidents frequently occur at intersections and in parking lots. Drivers may become distracted by traffic, GPS, cell phones, or searching for parking. When motorists fail to follow red lights or stop signs, pedestrians in crosswalks are at risk of serious injury.
Houston’s Vision Zero initiative is part of a global effort to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries, specifically focusing on improving pedestrian safety.
The program aims to create safer streets by redesigning roads, implementing traffic-calming measures, and expanding spaces dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists, including adding more crosswalks, improving street lighting, building protected bike lanes, and lowering speed limits in high-risk areas.
Despite these efforts, their Vision Zero Annual Report 2022 revealed an increase in pedestrian fatalities and injuries between 2021 and 2022, with 245 serious injuries and 115 deaths.
Additionally, the growing size of cars and trucks in the U.S. has become a rising concern. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that vertical front ends pose a greater risk to pedestrians and are up to 45% more likely to cause injury. Larger pickup trucks can completely block children aged 6, whose height typically ranges from 42 to 49 inches, from a driver’s view.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are a significant safety concern in many urban areas. Driver negligence is a common cause, including distracted driving, speeding, and failure to yield to pedestrians. Drivers preoccupied with their phones, eating, or other distractions may not pay sufficient attention to their surroundings, increasing the risk of striking a pedestrian.
Another common factor is inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, which includes poorly designed crosswalks, insufficient lighting, and a lack of sidewalks. When crosswalks are not clearly marked or illuminated, drivers may fail to yield, putting pedestrians at risk. Inadequate lighting can also impair visibility for both pedestrians and drivers, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Pedestrian behavior, such as crossing outside of designated crosswalks, jaywalking, and failing to obey traffic signals, can increase the risk of being struck by a vehicle. Pedestrians should always use marked crosswalks and follow traffic signals to ensure safety and follow state laws outlined in the Transportation Code Chapter 552: Pedestrians.
Pedestrians also must be aware of their surroundings and avoid being distracted while walking, as this can impair their ability to react to potential hazards.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor scrapes and bruises to severe, life-threatening conditions. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a particularly severe type of pedestrian injury, often resulting from direct impact with a vehicle, and can cause a variety of symptoms, including cognitive impairment, physical disabilities, and emotional disturbances.
Broken bones and fractures can require surgery, casting, or other medical interventions and may have long-lasting effects on a person’s mobility and quality of life.
Some injuries, such as scarring, disfigurement, and injuries necessitating amputations, can profoundly impact a person’s physical and emotional well-being, requiring extensive rehabilitation and adaptation to a new lifestyle.
Additionally, pedestrian accidents can have a significant psychological impact on victims, leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. The emotional trauma of a pedestrian accident can affect a person’s relationships, work life, and overall quality of life.
Internal bleeding and damage to organs can also occur in pedestrian accidents. These injuries may not be apparent right away and require immediate medical attention.
Speak with a Houston pedestrian accident lawyer if you are concerned about the financial burden your injuries and medical treatment have caused, and start the process to obtain your settlement today.
Contact the Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Lowe Law for a Free Consultation Today
If you need assistance with your pedestrian accident claim, the experienced legal team at Lowe Law is here to help. We are dedicated to defending your rights against those who seek to avoid responsibility.
Schedule a free consultation with our Houston pedestrian accident attorneys today and start the process of obtaining justice for your case.
