Being hit by a vehicle can leave you dealing with injuries, time away from work, and expenses you did not expect. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Leander can look at how the collision happened, who may be responsible, and what losses can be included in a claim.
At The Texas Law Dog, our Leander personal injury lawyers represent people injured because of someone else’s negligence. Founder Matthew Aulsbrook previously worked in the insurance industry and owned insurance agencies before becoming a lawyer.
We can deal with the insurance claim, gather information about the crash, and keep you updated while you focus on your treatment and recovery.
How a Leander Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help
A pedestrian accident claim usually starts with figuring out exactly what happened. We can review the police report, photographs, video, witness accounts, and what the driver says happened before the collision.
Your injuries need attention, too. Medical records can show what was diagnosed after the crash, what treatment you have received, and whether further care may be needed.
The Texas Law Dog can also handle communication with insurers and review any settlement offer with you before you decide whether to accept it.
When Can a Driver Be Responsible for Hitting a Pedestrian?
Drivers can cause pedestrian accidents in many ordinary ways. Someone may fail to notice a person in a crosswalk, turn without checking the path ahead, drive too quickly for the conditions, or become distracted behind the wheel.
The important question is what the driver did before the impact and whether that conduct contributed to the collision. A traffic citation can be relevant, but it does not decide a civil injury claim by itself.
A Leander pedestrian injury lawyer can compare the driver’s account with the physical evidence and statements from people who saw what happened.
Leander Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Who Has the Right of Way in Texas?
Pedestrians do not have the right of way in every situation. Under Texas Transportation Code § 552.003, a driver must stop and yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk in specified circumstances when no traffic signal is operating.
The same law also says a pedestrian cannot suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and enter the path of a vehicle that is too close to stop. Other rules apply when someone crosses away from a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
Where you were walking, what signals were present, and how the driver approached the area can therefore matter when fault is disputed.
What Happens if You are Accused of Sharing Fault?
Texas uses a proportionate responsibility system. If you are found partly responsible for an accident, the amount you can recover may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
If your share of responsibility is greater than 50%, Texas law generally prevents you from recovering damages under the proportionate responsibility rules.
That means an allegation that you crossed outside a crosswalk or entered the road unexpectedly needs to be checked against what actually happened. It does not automatically settle the question of fault.
What Compensation Can a Pedestrian Injury Claim Include?
Medical expenses are often a large part of a pedestrian accident claim. Depending on the injury, this may include emergency care, hospital treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and treatment expected in the future.
You may also have lost income if the injuries kept you from working. If they leave you with lasting restrictions that affect the work you can do, reduced earning ability may become relevant.
Pain, scarring, disfigurement, and changes to your daily activities can also be considered where supported by the evidence. A pedestrian crash lawyer in Leander can look at these losses together rather than judging the claim from the first set of medical bills.
What Evidence Can Help After a Pedestrian Accident?
Photos taken after the collision may show where the impact happened, damage to the vehicle, road markings, traffic signs, or other details that are difficult to remember later.
Video can also be useful when it exists. Depending on where the crash happened, footage could come from a dashcam, nearby business, home security system, or traffic camera.
Keep any paperwork you receive and make a note of anything you still remember about the collision. The Texas Law Dog can determine what other information needs to be requested as the claim develops.
How Long Do You Have to File a Pedestrian Injury Claim?
Texas generally gives you two years to file a lawsuit for personal injury. The period usually runs from when the claim accrues, although the particular facts can affect the deadline.
It is worth checking the date before that period gets close. Records can become harder to locate over time, and people who witnessed the accident may remember fewer details later.
What if the Driver’s Insurance Company Contacts You?
An insurer may contact you for information about the collision, your injuries, or your treatment. You can take time to understand what is being requested before deciding how to respond.
Be particularly careful with settlement paperwork. Once a claim is settled and a release is signed, you may not be able to return for additional compensation if your injuries turn out to be more serious than you initially realized.
If we represent you, The Texas Law Dog can deal with those communications and explain what an offer would resolve before you make a decision.
Talk to a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Leander
You do not need to know exactly who was at fault or what your claim may be worth before asking for legal advice. Start with what happened, the treatment you have received, and whatever accident paperwork or photographs you already have.
The Texas Law Dog can review the collision and explain what options may be available. We offer free consultations and handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no upfront legal fee to begin representation.
Contact us to speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Leander about what happened and what comes next.
