Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Dallas

Collisions between motor vehicles and pedestrians are all too common around Dallas. Unfortunately, these crashes commonly result in life-altering injuries for those on foot. Even worse, pursuing fair financial compensation over an incident like this can be difficult if you cannot establish why a driver hit you and how their negligence caused your injuries.

Understanding some of the common causes of pedestrian accidents in Dallas can go a long way toward protecting you from becoming a victim yourself. When you are injured by a negligent driver while walking or running, a seasoned pedestrian accident lawyer could be your ally from beginning to end of civil proceedings over your losses.

Distracted and Impaired Driving

Anyone operating a motor vehicle on public roads in Texas has a legal duty to focus on what is ahead of them, remaining cautious of pedestrians and other drivers they may encounter. Unfortunately, far too many motorists in Dallas operate their vehicles while distracted by their phones, radios, or passengers in the car with them, leading to severe on-foot collisions.

These incidents also commonly occur when drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, especially in urban or suburban areas where pedestrians are likely to cross the streets regularly. Anyone who strikes a pedestrian because they are drunk, high, or not paying attention, has breached the duty they owe everyone around them to be responsible behind the wheel. That “negligence” could be the basis for civil litigation against them.

Failure to Yield Right of Way

In addition to generally irresponsible actions, negligence leading to pedestrian crashes commonly takes the form of traffic violations and other expressly illegal acts. For example, pedestrians in Dallas who have a “Walk” signal in a crosswalk have the right of way over all motor vehicles, so when a driver ignores the right of way and strikes a pedestrian in a crosswalk, the driver would is civilly liable for ensuing injuries.

Excessive Speed

Of course, someone who exceeds the speed limit through an intersection does not just violate state law but also dramatically increases the risk that they might be unable to stop in time to avoid striking a pedestrian in a crosswalk or even veering off the road and hitting someone on the sidewalk. However, there are some situations where a driver in Dallas could be liable for hitting a pedestrian based on their excessive speed, even if they were technically obeying the speed limit.

For instance, drivers are expected to slow down and account for slick road conditions when it is raining heavily, when there is ice buildup on the surface of the road, and when visibility is low due to fog or other inclement weather. Someone who drives too fast for the conditions and hits a pedestrian because of their speed is just as negligent as someone who speeds on a clear and sunny day.

Contact an Attorney in Dallas to Discuss Pedestrian Accident Litigation

The examples listed above are just a few common causes of pedestrian accidents in Dallas. No matter how rare, any negligent act that is the direct and primary cause of a pedestrian collision could be the basis for civil litigation and substantial financial recovery.

A knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyer could discuss your filing options during a private consultation. Call today to schedule yours.