Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Both pedestrians and vehicles have to be wary of their surroundings when on the road, however, in most circumstances, motor vehicles carry a greater size and strength than pedestrians, which is why if you’ve been struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian, you need a Houston pedestrian accident lawyer on your side. Contact The Gonzalez Law Group today.

Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer | Fighting for You

A vehicle is a lethal weapon that can overtake a pedestrian at any point. Therefore, vehicles must be especially wary of any pedestrian in their path. When vehicles fail to yield to pedestrians or take into account their safety, drivers are being neglectful to the lives of other individuals. If you lost a loved one or suffered grave injuries as a result of a pedestrian accident, you can depend on a Houston auto accident lawyer here at our firm to fight for you.

At The Gonzalez Law Group, our attorneys understand the stress and trauma a pedestrian accident has on an individual and his or her family. We fight aggressively for our clients’ right to recover from the accident. Hospital costs can amount to thousands of dollars, which most people cannot afford. A pedestrian accident victim should not have to face economic hardship alone. We can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and recover up to exemplary damages from the accident.

Who is Considered a Pedestrian?

A pedestrian is an individual traveling on foot. Individuals on a bicycle, skateboard, or scooter may be referred to as pedestrians as well. Pedestrians have sidewalks specified for them, however, pedestrians must at one point cross the intersection to reach another street or even travel on the roadway for a variety of reasons. A parking lot also has both pedestrian and motor vehicles coexisting on the same type of road. Sidewalks are also not invulnerable to motor vehicles that swerve the wrong way or get too close to the sidewalks.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

  • 47% of crashes that resulted in a pedestrian death involved alcohol for the driver and/or pedestrian (CDC).
  • 33% of fatal pedestrian crashes involved a pedestrian with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL), 17% involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.08 g/dL, and some fatal pedestrian crashes involved both (CDC).
    Pedestrians aged 65 and older accounted for 20% of all pedestrian deaths and about 10% of all pedestrian injuries in 2017(CDC).
  • In 2017, pedestrian fatalities made up 16% of all fatalities in traffic crashes (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
  • In 2017, the percentage of pedestrian fatalities in relation to the time of day and season data revealed evening times are more prevalent for pedestrian fatalities (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
  • Nearly 19% of children 14 and younger killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
  • 6,283 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2018 (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
  • In Texas, pedestrian fatalities made up 16.3% of total traffic fatalities in 2017 (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
  • In 2017, Houston, TX had 29.8% of pedestrians make up for total traffic fatalities(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Liability in Pedestrian Accidents

Though pedestrians do not have the right of way all of the time per Tex. Transp. Code §552.002-552.003 (e.g., jaywalking, Don’t Walk sign, unauthorized pedestrian paths), Texas law requires vehicles to yield to pedestrians whenever possible, especially if the pedestrian is an elderly person or has an impairment affecting their cognizance on the road. If the vehicle could have avoided hitting a pedestrian, then the driver is likely to be liable for the accident. While traffic violations such as running a red light or failing to stop at a stop sign are a clear indication of driver culpability, other factors can also indicate negligence and even gross negligence on the driver’s part.

Driver distraction and intoxication are additional factors that can indicate a driver’s reckless behavior and disregard for pedestrian safety. A hit and run accident, in which the driver of the vehicle fails to leave his or her vehicle to check on the victim and call for medical assistance if need be is also grounds for a gross negligence-based personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Speed is also a big factor in the survival of a pedestrian in a pedestrian accident. The faster the vehicle is speeding, the more likely a pedestrian may fly off the vehicle and suffer a grave injury or worse. You can rely on a Houston pedestrian accident lawyer at our firm to determine liability and fight for the compensation you need to heal.

Contact a Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Suffering injuries in a pedestrian accident can lead to money stress and life-changing circumstances that no one wants to face. If the pedestrian accident was avoidable, you may be able to recover for damages, including punitive damages through a personal injury lawsuit. At The Gonzalez Law Group, our attorneys take the time and effort to walk you through all legal options available in your time of need. We can file a lawsuit on your behalf, so you can piece your life back together. We do not settle for anything less than what our clients are able to obtain. Schedule a confidential consultation at (832) 530-4070 or contact us online. We work with clients in the counties of Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and more.

Read Our Latest Articles

Read More Articles