Houston is one of the most dangerous major cities in America for pedestrians. If you lost a loved one or were seriously injured in a Houston-area pedestrian accident, you may be unaware that you could have a valid personal injury claim stemming from your injuries. You could claim compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Each pedestrian accident lawyer serving Houston at Loncar Lyon Jenkins fights hard for the rights of our pedestrian accident victims and their families. Our Houston personal injury lawyers can handle your case from start to finish. Call us today to receive a free consultation. Our representatives can explain the merits of your case and your next steps to recovery.
Houston Pedestrians Walk Dangerous Roads
Based on 2014 data, Houston was ranked by the American Association of Retired People (AARP) as the most dangerous place in Texas for pedestrians. According to AARP, auto-pedestrian accidents resulted in 4,884 deaths, or an average of 13 pedestrians killed every day nationwide. In addition, those 65 years and older are 50 percent more likely to be struck than younger people.
In a more recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Harris County reported 163 pedestrian fatalities in 2021, the highest pedestrian fatalities of any county in the state.
Pedestrian accidents result in fatalities more commonly than vehicle accidents, in part because pedestrians are both so difficult to see and lack any additional physical protection that vehicles have.
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Pursuing Compensation for Your Houston Auto-Pedestrian Accident
Drivers have a responsibility to operate vehicles within state laws and regulations. When drivers behave negligently or recklessly, creating an auto-pedestrian accident, the driver should be held liable for the injuries the pedestrian suffered.
If you were harmed by someone who was breaking the traffic laws, you may have a valid legal claim. Your pedestrian accident claim is what is filed with the liable party’s insurance companies. If there is a disagreement in the settlement process, then a lawsuit could be filed with the courts. Whether through negotiations with the insurer or a court award, your damage amounts will reflect costs such as:
- Your medical bills and health care costs, both now and in the future
- Your transportation costs to and from health appointments
- Your pain and suffering
Your Compensation Should Also Include Lost Income
Due to either the mental anguish or physical injuries you suffered, you may find it difficult to work at the same level as you did before the accident affected your finances. You may receive an award for these damages as well. When individuals are involved in auto-pedestrian accidents, the injured party has the right to pursue compensation for their lost income. Lost income could include:
- Hourly wages
- Salary
- Tips and bonuses
Your demand for compensation could possibly even include missed promotions and retirement benefits. Our car accident attorneys serving Houston can explain all the losses you may claim for compensation.
Compensation for Houston Families Who Lost a Loved Ones
Our condolences go out to you and your family if you lost a loved one to a pedestrian accident fatality. Our legal team is in the business of protecting people like you and will do everything we can to ensure your rights are protected.
Our Houston wrongful death lawyers may be able to recover financial compensation on your behalf through a wrongful death claim. This compensation could offset your losses, such as:
- Funeral and burial costs
- End-of-life services
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
No matter what the facts of your case are, we believe that you and your family deserve a chance at justice.
Your Pedestrian Accident Injuries Will Affect The Value of Your Claim
If you were struck by a car while walking, the injuries you suffer are largely influenced by the vehicle’s speed. In serious accidents, pedestrians can suffer multiple catastrophic injuries, both from the vehicle hitting their body and their body hitting the ground.
Some types of injuries a pedestrian may suffer after being involved in an auto-pedestrian accident include:
- Blunt force trauma
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Cuts and laceration
- Burns and permanent scarring
- Bone breaks
- Muscle strains
- Impaired vision, smell, or hearing
- Soft tissue damage
- Whiplash
- Reproductive damage
In addition, after a pedestrian is hit by a car and injured, they may suffer from emotional trauma. Signs of emotional trauma after an accident may include anxiousness, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleeplessness, and possible depression. Treating these injuries can be costly, but you have the right to pursue compensation for all your pedestrian accident injuries, both physical and emotional.
If you or a loved one suffered in a pedestrian accident at the hands of a negligent driver, we will take every possible measure to ensure that your rights are protected. A Houston pedestrian accident lawyer with Loncar Lyon Jenkins can help.
The Importance of Seeing a Doctor After Your Houston Accident
Nothing comes before your health. Since pedestrian accidents can result in catastrophic injuries, seeing a doctor and beginning treatment should be your highest priority. Even if your injuries did not require emergency room care, some injuries can have delayed symptoms. Early intervention can help you reach your maximum medical recovery.
Also, our personal injury lawyers can use your medical records to build your case. When we take on your case, we will aim for fair compensation so that you can access the medical care you need. Our personal injury attorneys can use your medical records to establish the liability of another party.
Texas Pedestrian Laws That Can Affect Your Accident Injury Claim
Our pedestrian accident attorneys work hard to ensure the rights of our clients are being protected fully. For example, Texas Transportation Code § 552.001 holds that pedestrians have the right of way when they face a green walk signal unless the only green signal is a turn arrow.
This chapter includes other common-sense laws that protect pedestrians and society at large from dangerous driving behaviors. We are familiar with Chapter 552 cases and common pitfalls that may threaten the validity of a case. Even if a pedestrian were jaywalking, there is still language in Section 552 that protects someone crossing a street if a reasonable driver would have seen them and stopped.
Texas Is a Modified Comparative Fault State,
Under this doctrine, you could still pursue compensation as long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the accident. In these instances, the defendants could claim that your partial negligence contributed to the auto-pedestrian accident. The settlement you receive would be reduced by the percentage of the fault you shared in the accident.
How the Statute of Limitations Affects Houston Accidents
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, pedestrian accident victims generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. How this affects your case is if you are unable to reach a settlement agreement with the insurance companies, you have the option to pursue compensation through a trial. If that two-year deadline passes, though, you may lose that option.
Contacting an attorney early can help you avoid missing this crucial deadline. With enough time, your attorney can build an insurance claim for compensation, negotiate in good faith, and file a pedestrian accident lawsuit before the deadline.
800-285-HURT (4878)Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Will Handle the Insurance Companies
Insurance companies routinely deal with accident victims every day. But you, on the other hand, hopefully, have never had to experience this before, which leaves you at a disadvantage when negotiating with insurance adjusters.
You may want to seek the help of a Houston pedestrian accident lawyer from the office of Loncar Lyon Jenkins. We are prepared to negotiate on your behalf to help you receive a fair settlement. We can also file a personal injury lawsuit and take your case to court if necessary. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not get paid until your case reaches a satisfactory conclusion.
Call Loncar Lyon Jenkins Today
Call in the Strong Arm today for a free initial consultation about your rights.