Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian Accidents

Were you in a pedestrian accident in Texas?

Pedestrian accidents can be devastating. When walking, people are generally not wearing protective gear that can lessen the impact in the event they are hit by a car. Therefore, when a car hits a pedestrian, the pedestrian injuries can be catastrophic. Broken bones, spinal injuries, and even brain injuries can be the result of a serious pedestrian accident. The injured person may need extensive medical care and treatment that lasts a lifetime.

Depending on the severity of the injuries, the injured pedestrian may be unable to work and may require lifelong medical treatment. These costs pile up and may impose a tremendous financial burden on the injured person and his or her family members. Although insurance may help offset some of the costs, the settlement may not be sufficient to cover the necessary treatment and help the family keep a roof over their heads.

There was over 3,000 pedestrian crashes in Dallas County alone from 2010 through 2014, according to the North Central Texas Council of Governments. During the same period, there were 247 deaths in Dallas as the result of pedestrian accidents.

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Texas, it may be necessary to file a car accident lawsuit to seek compensation for lost income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages. Although a car accident lawsuit won’t be able to heal the injured party, a financial award can help ease the stress and suffering experienced after the pedestrian accident.

Should I Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

If you or a loved one was hit by a car in Texas, it’s a good idea to schedule a consultation with a Texas pedestrian accident attorney, even if you don’t think you’ll file a lawsuit.

Pedestrian accident lawyers have experience investigating and litigating cases involving pedestrians hit by cars and can explain your legal rights and options. They can also help you determine the best steps you can take to protect your rights, including whether filing a car accident lawsuit would be appropriate under the circumstances.

Before you meet with a Texas pedestrian accident attorney, you should gather as much information about the pedestrian accident as you can. You should write down everything you can about the accident, including the time of day, weather conditions, road hazards, what the visibility was like, and any other factors that may have contributed to the pedestrian accident. If possible, bring a copy of the police report and any medical records, which document the injuries sustained in the pedestrian accident.

It is not always necessary to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit. In some cases, the driver’s insurance company will offer a reasonable settlement that is adequate to compensate you for the injuries you sustained. However, if the insurer fails to offer a fair settlement, a pedestrian accident lawyer can fight on your behalf to get the insurer to offer compensation that is adequate to cover your expenses and any other losses you suffered.

Should I File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Texas?

Just as automobile drivers are responsible for taking measures to keep themselves and others safe, pedestrians also are responsible for taking reasonable steps to stay safe. A p
edestrian whose carelessness or recklessness contributed to (or caused) the auto-pedestrian accident may be unable to recover damages from a car accident lawsuit.

If a car hits a pedestrian who stepped out into traffic without looking, attempted to cross a busy highway, or who was intoxicated at the time of the accident, it may be determined that the automobile driver was not entirely at fault and therefore is not responsible for paying much (if any) compensation for the pedestrian’s injuries.

However, if the driver is at fault for the pedestrian accident, the injured party may be able to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit to seek compensation for their losses, including their medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, physical therapy costs, and other expenses they incurred because of the injuries they suffered in the pedestrian car accident.

In a fatal pedestrian accident, the surviving family members may be able to seek compensation from the driver by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Any damages obtained through a wrongful death lawsuit will help the family pay for any medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost earnings, loss of consortium, and other financial and emotional losses they suffered due to the death of their loved one.

Contact a Texas Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

The Emma Law Firm, located in the Dallas, area has experience representing clients and their family members who have been seriously injured in a pedestrian-car accident.

If a loved one has been killed in a fatal pedestrian accident, Attorney Michael Anthony Emma can discuss the possibility of filing a wrongful death lawsuit to help you seek compensation for your loved one’s medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of consortium and other losses you experienced due to your loved one’s untimely death. Contact The Emma Law Firm today to find out how he can help.

The Emma Law Firm offers a FREE consultation in this type of legal matter. Fill out the form below for more information.