Pedestrian Accidents
Accidents involving pedestrians can result in severe and irreversible injuries. Accidents are inevitable, but you should not have to bear the financial burden on your own, especially when the incident wasn’t your fault.
If you or someone you know was injured while walking to their destination due to another person’s negligence, consider contacting an Austin pedestrian accident lawyer. Our personal injury attorneys have been practicing for decades and aggressively defending the rights of injured pedestrians.
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Pedestrians are usually the most defenseless, and therefore experience the most significant level of injury, of auto accident victims. Every day, people are injured on busy streets, in residential areas, in crosswalks, or at intersections. The injury inflicted on these victims often impacts their daily lives from that point forward.
Without the protection of a vehicle, pedestrians who are hit by a car are likely to suffer serious harm such as head trauma, spinal damage, and, in extreme cases, paralysis, or even wrongful death. In these unfortunate situations, compensation for the victim or their family will be based on the negligence of the driver as well as the harm done to the victim.
In addition to physical injury, pedestrians who are harmed by cars and other vehicles typically incur substantial medical bills, may require future care, suffer lost wages as well as reduced earning capacity, and may see their ability to enjoy life greatly reduced. Injured pedestrians should immediately seek legal representation to assist with their situation.
Everyone using the roadway must follow local traffic laws and exercise reasonable care on the road. Pedestrians become increasingly vulnerable when motor vehicle operators fail to abide by the rules of the road. When someone fails to exercise reasonable care, resulting in another person’s injuries, they can be held legally negligent with the help of a local lawyer.
However, pedestrians must also exercise reasonable care when on or near a road. For example, if a pedestrian is injured in an accident after using a crosswalk without the right of way, the court may determine that they are partially or even totally liable for their own damages.
Texas courts apply comparative negligence to determine fault in pedestrian accident cases. Each party will be assigned a percentage of blame based on their contributions to the accident. Additionally, the court will reduce a claimant’s compensatory award in proportion to their percentage of fault.
This means that if a plaintiff is 10 percent at fault, they may only recover 90 percent of their total damages. However, an injured pedestrian who is 51 percent or more at fault for their own losses may not recover any damages whatsoever. To ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, be sure to work with an attorney who is familiar with Texas’ comparative fault laws and who has experience in establishing damages at trial.
Pedestrians are particularly at risk when motorists fail to exercise care on the roadway and often endure pain and anxiety following an accident. You do not have to go through the process of seeking recovery alone. Our Austin pedestrian accident lawyers may be able to help secure compensation for your injuries.
If you are unsure about whether you have a valid civil claim, ask one of our attorneys. Call us today to get started on your case.
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