The Dallas-Fort Worth area is infamous for having a high rate of traffic-related pedestrian accidents. Even when you only suffer short-term injuries from this kind of incident, you may have difficulties getting the compensation you deserve, especially when you attempt to pursue a civil claim without legal representation.
Guidance from a pedestrian accident lawyer in DeSoto at The Texas Law Dog can make a significant difference in how effectively you can demand restitution after being struck and injured by a negligent driver. No matter what types of injuries you have sustained or how long they are expected to impact your life, a DeSoto personal injury lawyer who speaks fluent Spanish could work diligently to secure the best resolution for your case.
What Makes Someone Liable for Injuring a Pedestrian
While a pedestrian is far more likely to suffer injuries in a collision than the driver who ran into them, Texas state law does not automatically hold motorists legally liable for the effects of incidents like this. Regardless of the extent of their injuries, the injured pedestrian must establish legal fault on the part of the person who struck them to recover compensation, a process which generally entails proving that the driver was “negligent.”
Every driver in Texas has the same duty to act reasonably and responsibly when traveling on public roads. Any reckless or careless “breach” of that duty that directly leads to a collision resulting in injuries qualifies as legally actionable negligence. A driver who hits a pedestrian because they were distracted behind the wheel is as liable as someone who hits a pedestrian because they were speeding through a red light.
Importantly, though, pedestrians can be found partially liable for causing their own injuries if they, too, were negligent in some way. As a knowledgeable DeSoto catastrophic injury lawyer could explain, any share of fault assigned to the plaintiff in a pedestrian crash case could reduce their available compensation or bar them from recovering any payment.
Pedestrians Face Serious Injuries
Those who are struck by a car face the risk of serious injuries in even slower-moving accidents. With no protection, a person’s body comes into contact with the vehicle and the pavement. Some of the most common types of injuries in these cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries from striking your head on the ground
- Spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis or chronic pain development
- Lacerations and muscle damage from wounds
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Road rash and skin disfigurement
- Loss of limbs due to crushing accidents
- Burns and exposure-related injuries
After an accident with a vehicle, all pedestrians should receive a full medical evaluation from their local emergency room. Many times, the injuries you have may not be immediately noticeable, and some of them may take time to become apparent, putting your life at risk. Do not wait to get medical care immediately after an accident like this. Our DeSoto car accident lawyer is here to fight for you.
DeSoto Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Why Pedestrian Accidents Happen
For those who are hurt by an accident like this, understanding why it happened is often important. Going for a walk should not feel dangerous, but it does in many areas. One of the ways our legal team helps you is to understand the cause of your accident better so we can identify all parties responsible. Common causes include:
- Distracted drivers using their phones or navigation systems
- Drivers who are speeding or otherwise driving recklessly
- Drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs
- Poor lighting at intersections and crosswalks
- Blind spots from overgrown trees or bushes
- Fatigued drivers are unable to stop fast enough to avoid someone who has the right-of-way
- Intersection accidents due to drivers who do not see pedestrians
By understanding these factors, we can determine whether the driver is solely at fault or if the city or other parties should also be held accountable. Our DeSoto pedestrian accident lawyer will investigate all potential routes to understanding why this happened to you. That enables our team to build a robust case that supports your long-term recovery.
Recovering Fairly Within Filing Time Limits
When the injured pedestrian does not share any blame for their injuries and can prove the driver who hit them was negligent, they can recover for all past and future losses their accident will cause them, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost work income or working capacity
- Personal property damage
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Physical pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment or quality of life
While obtaining compensation is an option for injured victims, there may be a limited time to file a civil claim. For example, according to Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003, anyone injured by another person’s negligence has two years, at most, following their initial injury to file suit. Therefore, it is crucial to contact a diligent lawyer as soon as possible following a collision on foot.
Catastrophic Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident
In many of these types of accidents, victims face catastrophic injuries, which are injuries that do not fully improve over time and may create long-term limitations and disabilities. Our DeSoto pedestrian accident lawyer has helped many victims navigate their rights in these far more challenging legal matters, holding those who hurt them accountable to the fullest level of the law. Some of the factors that make these cases more challenging include:
- Determining what your current and future medical losses are likely to be
- Estimating the impact on your ability to work and earn a living
- The need to seek financial compensation that is high enough to continue to meet your needs for years to come
- The emotional and mental health impact of conditions like disability, loss of vision, and chronic pain
- Impact on your quality of life and ability to live your life the way you desire
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact our team for guidance. We will help you build a comprehensive claim against those who hurt you. A DeSoto truck accident lawyer can answer your questions and guide you through a claim.
What to Do if Your Loved One Lost Their Life as a Pedestrian
Victims do not always survive pedestrian accidents, and that means their immediate family members or the estate administrator must be able to seek fair compensation and justice on their behalf. The law enables victim families to seek a wrongful death lawsuit that includes additional losses. Some of the most common losses in these cases include:
- Medical expenses and lost wages from prior to death
- Funeral and burial costs
- End-of-life care provided
- Pain and suffering
- Financial loss to dependents
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
There is no simple way to make this “better,” but our DeSoto pedestrian accident attorney will get justice for your family member. Do not expect criminal charges to be enough to help you fully recover from this devastation. Instead, let us fight to the fullest level allowed under the law.
Why Trust the Texas Law Dog With Your Pedestrian Accident Case
As a victim of a serious injury, you may believe it is simple and straightforward to prove that the car that struck you should pay for your losses. That is not often the case. The insurance companies working for those drivers will work overtime to minimize any compensation paid to you, which is why you need your own pedestrian accident lawyer in DeSoto on your side.
Our legal team brings decades of experience and proven results from serving the region’s victims. We have recovered millions of dollars in losses for innocent victims whose lives have been changed as a result of another person’s negligence, speeding, or other careless behavior. We mean to get you justice, and you can expect us to do just that.
You can also count on our lawyer because we are compassionate professionals who understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these types of accidents can have. We do not simply settle your case, but instead fight for full compensation for you. We fight to get you what you deserve from your case.
Get in Touch With a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in DeSoto Today
Unfortunately, walking near or across an active roadway puts you at risk of getting seriously hurt by a reckless or careless driver. Fortunately, situations like this can allow for substantial civil recovery, provided you can prove to the court that a specific person is responsible for harming you.
A DeSoto pedestrian accident lawyer can be your ally throughout settlement negotiations and, if necessary, at trial. Schedule a meeting with The Texas Law Dog by calling today.
