Texas Pedestrian Accident Laws

Since most people in Texas rely on motor vehicle transportation to get around in major cities and from town to town, many areas are not pedestrian-friendly. This makes it challenging to get around on foot, yet many people opt to do just that because of the warm weather and stunning scenery. Pedestrian deaths occur in one out of every five traffic fatalities, rising each year. If you’ve been in a pedestrian accident in Texas, you need a team on which you can rely to look out for your best interests.

Sutliff & Stout believes in your right to make a full recovery without worrying about the financial implications of your accident. As skilled Texas pedestrian accident lawyers, we are knowledgeable about Texas pedestrian accident laws and can apprise you of your options after an accident.

Texas Pedestrian Accident Laws

Texas pedestrian accident laws have been created to ensure that those injured while walking in properly designated areas of the roadway have protections that allow them to hold irresponsible parties accountable for any incidents.

The Lisa Torry Smith Act (SB 1055)

This law was passed after a mother and her young son were seriously injured in a crosswalk pedestrian accident. The driver who hit the two was not charged with a crime at the time because the law did not allow such a charge. This new law now allows those who cause bodily harm to pedestrians to be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. Drivers can also face a felony charge if the pedestrian is seriously injured.

Section 552.001 of the Texas Statutes

Traffic control signals of green, yellow and red lights and lighted arrows apply to pedestrians unless there is a pedestrian control signal indicating otherwise. Pedestrians may also proceed in a marked or unmarked crosswalk when facing a green signal unless the only green signal available is a turn arrow. Pedestrians facing a steady red signal or steady yellow signal may not enter the roadway.

Section 552.002 of the Texas Statutes

If there is a pedestrian control signal indicating “Walk,” vehicles must stop and yield the right of way to the pedestrian. Vehicles may not proceed into a pedestrian crossing while the pedestrian is present in the roadway, even if the signal changes from “Walk” to “Don’t Walk” or “Wait.”

Section 552.003 of the Texas Statutes

Vehicles are lawfully required to stop and yield to pedestrians if there is no traffic control signal on the roadway. The pedestrian is already on half of the roadway in which the vehicle is traveling. However, pedestrians may not suddenly leave the curb or sidewalk to proceed into a walkway if the vehicle is so close that it would be impossible to stop and yield safely. Vehicles are also prohibited from passing those vehicles stopped for pedestrians in the process of crossing.

What to Do If You’ve Been in a Texas Pedestrian Accident?

If you have been involved in a Texas pedestrian accident, the first thing you should do after filing a police report is to seek medical attention. Often, injuries from these types of accidents may be masked by the rush of adrenaline you may experience in the moments after a collision or fall. The next step is to contact a Texas pedestrian accident lawyer like Sutliff & Stout to protect your rights in the situation.

Typically, aggressive insurance companies will try to persuade you not to take action after an accident of this magnitude. However, a pedestrian accident with a vehicle or even one in which you suffered an injury due to poorly maintained sidewalk or crosswalk areas is serious. You deserve all the help you can get in the healing process, which means compensation to ensure that you are not liable financially. An experienced attorney will ensure that everything you do in the moments after the accident sets you up for success when you are ready to file a claim.

How Can Compensation Help Following a Texas Pedestrian Accident?

Pedestrian accidents can impact just about every area of your life, which means that addressing these impacts can quickly get expensive. Compensation can help blunt some of the financial fallout from pedestrian accidents, shielding you from overwhelming expenses that can break the bank. Compensation can help with:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Acute and ongoing medical expenses
• Lost wages and loss of future earnings potential
• Lifestyle changes due to the accident
• Ongoing therapy/rehabilitation

Essentially, any expense that you have incurred due to your pedestrian accident can be addressed with the right compensation package.

Look to a Texas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for Assistance With Your Claim

Pedestrian accidents can be frightening, especially if you were injured by a vehicle. However, these accidents are often preventable and are caused by sheer negligence. As such, compensation can be helpful to deal with any injuries or residual pain and suffering you may have incurred as a result of such an incident. Sutliff & Stout is a premier Texas pedestrian accident lawyer with a proven record of success where these types of claims are concerned.

We will fight for the compensation you deserve after being injured in a Texas pedestrian accident. Learn more with a free case review. Call us at (713) 987-7111 or contact us online today.