Texas pedestrian accidents are usually the fault of the drivers of motor vehicles. Let’s take a closer look at the issue with McKay Law.
Every year in the State of Texas, thousands of pedestrians are injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents. In fact, over the past few years in Texas, TXDOT reports 5370 crashes involving pedestrians and 828 deaths of pedestrians killed as a result of being struck by a motor vehicle.
Texas Pedestrian Accident Overview
Pedestrian accidents are usually the fault of the drivers of motor vehicles. Among the more common causes are drivers who speed, run traffic signals or fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians, particularly those within a crosswalk when making a turn. More recently, inattentive or distracted driving has been identified as the most common cause of motor vehicle accidents in Texas.
This is often seen with cell phone use and texting or simply a driver not paying attention. Laws exist in Texas whose goal is to protect pedestrians from being the victims of motor vehicle accidents. Often, the key to the successful resolution of these claims is having an attorney familiar with the various sections of the Texas State Vehicle and Traffic Laws.
It is imperative that a personal injury pedestrian accident specialist be familiar with the insurance laws applicable to a given accident to ensure that the victim receives the fullest recovery allowable under the law.
Common Injury in Texas Pedestrian Accidents
There are also laws that proscribe the time limits within which a person injured in an automobile accident must take certain steps to protect their legal rights or forever be prevented from proper and adequate compensation. As mentioned previously, pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries. In many accidents, a pedestrian sustains what is commonly known as a “bumper fracture.”
This occurs when a car bumper hits the pedestrian’s pelvis and legs, shattering his or her bones. Another common injury involving pedestrians occurs when a pedestrian is “scooped” off the ground by the front of a car and smashed onto the hood and the windshield causing traumatic brain injury.
Further compounding this injury is the natural reaction of the driver to step on the brake. This results in the pedestrian being thrown to the ground, causing further injury to the brain as well as spinal and pelvic injuries.
Pedestrian Death in Texas
Victims of pedestrian accidents frequently experience long-term health complications after injuries.
On June 11, 2023, around 10 pm, in the 9200 block of Lake June Rd. in the community of Pleasant Grove, a vehicle traveling westbound hit a pedestrian and fled the area. Unfortunately, the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. This is the typical report on hit-and-run fatalities in the DFW metroplex.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics and Safety
In 2021 there were 7,485 pedestrian fatalities in the USA. Of that number, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recorded 5,370 pedestrian accidents in Texas which resulted in 828 deaths. This marked a .24% increase over 2021.
TxDOT counted the following as the top contributing to Texas pedestrian accidents:
- Pedestrians failing to yield the right-of-way to vehicles
- Inattentive and distracted drivers
- Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
- Speeding
In order to reduce the number of pedestrian crashes in our state, TxDOT recommends the following:
For drivers:
- Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, especially when turning.
- Always stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.
- Be careful when passing stopped buses or other stopped vehicles.
- Be attentive and avoid distractions like cell phones.
For pedestrians:
- Cross the street at intersections and crosswalks only.
- When crossing, look left, right, then left again.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing – do not assume they see you.
- Obey traffic and crosswalk signs.
- Use the sidewalk where able. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
- Avoid distractions, like cell phones and loud music, when walking.
Dallas Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Victims of pedestrian accidents can suffer serious injuries which may result in long-term health complications and disabilities. This is one reason it is so important to hire a personal injury attorney.
If you or a loved one was hit by a car, call McKay Law to begin your claim for financial compensation. We can help you recover damages related to medical bills and lost wages in addition to non-economic damages like pain and suffering, and mental anguish.
We understand just how stressful a sudden accident, injury, or death of a loved one can be. As such, we want to do everything to help.
Let us focus on the lawsuit while you focus on what’s most important: getting better. Call now for your free case consultation with a Texas pedestrian accident attorney and McKay Law.
Call (903) INJURED – Call (903) 465-8733, or submit your case for a free case review.
Why Are There So Many Pedestrian Traffic Accidents in Texas?
Texas has a high number of pedestrian traffic accidents for several reasons:
- Urbanization and population growth: Texas has experienced rapid urbanization and population growth, particularly in cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin. As the population increases, more pedestrians and vehicles share the same road space, leading to a higher risk of accidents.
- Large road networks and high-speed limits: Texas has an extensive network of roads, including highways and major thoroughfares. These roads often have high-speed limits, which can increase the severity of pedestrian accidents when they occur.
- Lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure: In some areas of Texas, there is a lack of adequate pedestrian infrastructure. Insufficient sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals can make it more dangerous for pedestrians to navigate busy roads.
- Distracted driving: Like in other parts of the United States, distracted driving is a significant issue in Texas. Drivers using smartphones or engaging in other distracting activities are more likely to overlook pedestrians, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Alcohol-related incidents: Alcohol impairment is a contributing factor in many pedestrian accidents in Texas. Drunk driving and walking under the influence of alcohol are prevalent, particularly during weekends and holidays.
- Poor visibility and weather conditions: Texas is known for its extreme weather conditions, including heavy rain, fog, and storms. Poor visibility can make it more challenging for drivers to see pedestrians, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Cultural and behavioral factors: Cultural factors such as a preference for driving and a lack of emphasis on pedestrian safety can contribute to higher pedestrian accident rates. Additionally, jaywalking or pedestrians not following traffic rules can increase the risk of accidents.
Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach, including public awareness campaigns, enhanced law enforcement, improved pedestrian infrastructure, and the implementation of measures to discourage distracted driving and alcohol impairment.
The personal injury attorneys at McKay Law, including experienced Personal Injury Attorney Lindsey McKay, have helped thousands of individuals and families suffering serious injuries or death as a result of a pedestrian being struck by a car, truck, bus or other motor vehicle.
We retain experts such as accountants, financial analysts and economists because every personal injury case has its own set of associated costs, including pain and suffering, lost wages, the cost of care and many other monetary costs. In order to accurately assess what these costs will be for the remainder of a victim’s life, we use financial professionals to derive fair resolutions for injury victims.
Additionally, when necessary, we retain the best accident reconstruction engineers in the field. We utilized drone-enhanced video to show the accident to jurors. It is also often necessary to retain a biomechanical engineer where the cause of the injury is challenged.
Types of Injuries in Accidents Involving Pedestrians
Pedestrians have no protection from injury in a collision with a motor vehicle, and the injuries they suffer are often serious, catastrophic or even fatal. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Spinal cord injury.
- Limb loss and traumatic amputation.
- Internal injuries.
- Disfigurement.
- Fractures, such as a broken leg, arm, rib or pelvis.
- Neck and back injuries.
- Sprained or torn ligaments.
- Contusions, lacerations and abrasions.
In the unfortunate event of an accident between a pedestrian and a motor vehicle, pedestrians will suffer severe bodily injury or even death.
Contact a Proven Texas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Texas, McKay Law can help.
Texas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at McKay Law has helped injured pedestrians or surviving family members hold negligent parties accountable for recklessness or wrongdoing.
Please do not wait to contact us if you or someone you care about has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Texas. There is a specific amount of time in which you can take legal action and you do not want to forfeit your rights by waiting too long to speak with a Texas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer.
Call (903) INJURED – Call (903) 465-8733, or submit your case for a free case review.
