Being hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian is one of the most frightening things a person can go through. Without the protection of a car around you, even a low-speed collision can cause severe injuries that change the way you live, work, and move through your day. The medical bills start piling up, the pain makes it hard to focus, and the insurance company on the other side may already be working to minimize what they owe you.
If you are dealing with the aftermath of a pedestrian accident, you deserve straightforward answers and someone in your corner who will take your situation seriously. At Sharma Injury Law, our award-winning attorneys are here to help you understand your rights. Call us at 281-893-8644 to schedule a consultation with a Houston pedestrian accident lawyer or contact us online.
Why Work With Sharma Injury Law?
Our firm has spent more than 30 years helping injury victims pursue the justice and financial compensation they deserve, built on a multi-generational family legacy of putting clients first. We treat every person who walks through our doors like a member of our own family, providing direct access to an attorney and honest communication at every stage. We help clients in pedestrian accidents in the following ways:
- Investigate the scene, including crosswalk conditions, traffic signals, and driver behavior at the time of impact
- Identify every liable party, from the driver to a government agency responsible for a poorly designed intersection
- Obtain surveillance footage and police reports before they are lost or overwritten
- Challenge any attempt to shift fault onto you as the pedestrian
- Calculate the full value of your injuries, including long-term care and lost earning capacity
- Represent you aggressively in negotiations or at trial
Our attorneys take the time to answer your questions and make sure you understand your legal options before making any decisions.
What Are the Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
Pedestrian accidents happen for many preventable reasons. Drivers who fail to pay attention to their surroundings put people on foot at serious risk. Common causes are as follows:
- Distracted driving (texting, phone use, eating)
- Speeding through residential or commercial areas
- Failing to yield at crosswalks or intersections
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Impaired or drunk driving
- Making turns without checking for pedestrians
- Backing out of driveways or parking spaces
- Poor visibility due to weather or inadequate lighting
Many of these accidents happen in areas where drivers should be most alert, including school zones, shopping centers, and residential neighborhoods. Taking note of the circumstances surrounding a collision is one of the first steps toward building a strong accident claim.
Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Occur in Houston, Texas?
According to TxDOT crash statistics, pedestrian deaths account for roughly 1 in 6 traffic fatalities across the state, and Houston’s expansive road network and heavy traffic volume put local pedestrians at particular risk.
Accidents most often occur at busy intersections, in parking lots, near schools, and along roads without sidewalks or adequate lighting, including high-activity areas near the Texas Medical Center and along major roads like Westheimer Road.
Who Is Liable in a Pedestrian Accident?
Liability depends on the facts of the collision and who failed to act responsibly. More than one party can share fault in a single accident. Potentially liable parties include:
- Negligent drivers
- Trucking or delivery companies
- Rideshare drivers and their employers
- Government entities responsible for road design or maintenance
- Construction companies working near roadways
- Property owners who create hazards for foot traffic
Drivers who fail to stop and yield to pedestrians crossing within a crosswalk, as required under Texas Transportation Code § 552.003, can be held financially responsible for the injuries they cause.
Proving Fault in a Pedestrian Accident
Proving fault requires showing that another party acted negligently and that their negligence directly caused your injuries. Strong evidence makes a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case. Key evidence used to establish fault includes the following:
- Police accident reports
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Eyewitness statements
- Photographs of the scene and your injuries
- Medical records linking your injuries to the accident
- Cell phone records showing driver distraction
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Pedestrian Accident in Houston?
Texas law allows pedestrian accident victims to pursue compensation for all losses connected to their injuries. Damages cover both the financial burden and the personal toll the accident has taken on your life. Recoverable compensation may include the following damages:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages, overtime, bonuses, and benefits
- Reduced earning capacity
- Future medical care expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Emotional distress
- Household service costs
- Loss of enjoyment or diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Wrongful death benefits for families
Catastrophic cases involving traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord damage, or loss of limb typically result in higher compensation. These cases involve greater long-term medical costs, permanent lifestyle changes, and a significant reduction in the victim’s quality of life, all of which increase the overall value of the claim.
FAQ: Answers for Houston Pedestrian Accident Victims
Can a Pedestrian Be at Fault in Texas?
Yes. Texas law recognizes that pedestrians can share fault for an accident. If a pedestrian crosses outside a marked crosswalk, ignores a traffic signal, or darts into traffic unexpectedly, they may be assigned a percentage of responsibility. However, drivers still have a legal duty to exercise due care at all times.
Texas law also gives pedestrians the right of way in marked crosswalks and at intersections where no signal is present. Outside of those situations, pedestrians generally must yield to oncoming traffic. Understanding where you had the right of way at the time of the accident is an important part of determining how fault is assigned.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident?
If you are physically able, take these steps as soon as possible after the accident:
- Call 911 and wait for police and emergency medical responders to arrive
- Accept medical attention at the scene, even if you feel okay
- Photograph the location, any visible injuries, the vehicle, and road conditions
- Get the driver’s name, insurance information, and license plate number
- Collect contact information from any witnesses nearby
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney
Symptoms from serious injuries like TBIs and internal damage do not always appear immediately. Getting checked out right away protects both your health and your ability to pursue a claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Houston?
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit. If a loved one was killed, the same two-year window applies to wrongful death claims. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from seeking compensation, so taking action early protects your options.
Should I Accept a Settlement Right After My Pedestrian Accident?
No. Never accept an early settlement offer without discussing it with your attorney. Insurance companies often present quick offers designed to close your case before you fully understand the extent of your injuries. Some conditions take weeks or months to fully develop. Accepting too soon could leave you without enough money to cover future treatment and lost income.
How Much Will Hiring a Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Cost Me?
Many Houston pedestrian accident attorneys handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees to get started. Fee structures and litigation cost arrangements vary by firm, so it is important to ask about this during your initial consultation. We are happy to walk you through what to expect when you call.
Have You Been Injured? Contact Our Houston Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Now
Time is limited after a pedestrian accident. The statute of limitations does not pause, and important evidence from the accident scene can become harder to access with each passing week.
At Sharma Injury Law, our commitment to injury victims runs deeper than a single case. Bash Sharma built this firm on the belief that injured people deserve the same quality of representation as anyone else, and his daughters carry that same commitment forward today. When you work with our family, you are not a file number. You are the reason we show up.
Call us at 281-893-8644 to schedule your consultation or reach out online today.
Being hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian is one of the most frightening things a person can go through. Without the protection of a car around you, even a low-speed collision can cause severe injuries that change the way you live, work, and move through your day. The medical bills start piling up, the pain makes it hard to focus, and the insurance company on the other side may already be working to minimize what they owe you.
Pedestrian accidents happen for many preventable reasons. Drivers who fail to pay attention to their surroundings put people on foot at serious risk. Common causes are as follows:
