Pedestrians are “vulnerable road users.” They face a higher risk of severe injury or death if involved in a roadway accident. They are also harder for drivers to see and, therefore, easier to hit. Victims of pedestrian accidents often need extensive and expensive medical care and significant time away from work to recover. Sometimes, a full recovery is impossible, and going back to work is not an option.
Connecting with a Frisco personal injury lawyer from the Texas Law Dog is the best first step for recovering damages from a pedestrian accident. Our firm has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and a Frisco pedestrian accident lawyer from our team is ready to put that A+ energy, work ethic, and experience to work for you.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians have no protection when hit by vehicles, so after an accident, your only option may be to stay still until an ambulance arrives. If moving will not compromise your safety, there are steps to take after a pedestrian accident to support your health and your potential accident claim.
Call Emergency Personnel and Exchange Contact Information
Call law enforcement to come to the scene and make an official report. Get contact information from those involved in the accident and from witnesses. Ask witnesses to text or email you a description of what happened while their memories are still vivid. When you exchange information with the other involved parties, be sure not to say anything that could be taken as an admission of fault.
Document the Scene
Then, take pictures. Photograph the entire scene, including traffic patterns, signals, road conditions, the vehicles, your injuries, and other important details. Note the locations of traffic or surveillance cameras. The information and photos you collect can help your Frisco pedestrian accident attorney build your case.
Seek Medical Attention
You must get medical care within hours or a day of the accident. Never dismiss injuries or pain as “minor,” and do not assume that a lack of immediate pain means you are uninjured. The adrenaline rush following the trauma of an accident can hide pain and other symptoms. Fast care is critical for preventing injuries from worsening and for promoting full healing.
Prompt medical attention also supports your accident claim. It removes the at-fault party’s opportunity to blame further debilitation on your choice to delay care. It also stops them from claiming your injuries could not be as serious as you say if they did not demand medical attention right away.
How Pedestrian Accidents Can Happen in Frisco
Pedestrians need to walk attentively as they share roads with drivers, taking care to avoid being hit. But drivers share the responsibility of keeping roads safe for foot travelers. They must stay alert to their driving environments and take proactive measures to uphold pedestrian safety. Your pedestrian accident lawyer in Frisco will investigate the specifics of your accident to discover its cause.
Crosswalks, traffic signals, and other traffic controls offer some protection for vulnerable road users. However, many pedestrian accident scenarios remain. Unfortunately, some pedestrians still get hit in crosswalks. Parking lots are another common site for accidents. Sometimes, drivers in the process of backing up do not see pedestrians walking by.
Drivers making right turns are often so intent on looking for oncoming traffic that they do not see pedestrians crossing in front of them from the right. Other common causes of pedestrian accidents include unfamiliar driving patterns that prompt drivers to make wrong or unexpected moves, or lack of visibility caused by rain, fog, or poor street lighting.
Frisco Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Injuries and Impact of Pedestrian Accidents
Statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) show that for a recent five-year period, Texas saw a 22% increase in pedestrian deaths. Though only represented in 1% of traffic crashes, pedestrians account for 19% of traffic fatalities. For the last year of the period observed, the State experienced 5,924 pedestrian-involved traffic crashes, producing 808 deaths and 1,457 injury victims.
Pedestrians have no protection when hit by a vehicle, so common pedestrian accident injuries can be serious. They include:
- Brain trauma
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Road burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Damage to the neck or back
- Soft tissue damage
The damage these injuries cause extends beyond physical pain. Victims often experience emotional distress, becoming depressed or anxious and grieving their lost abilities and independence. They also suffer financially. Their medical bills pile up while they lose wages during recovery time or permanently if they cannot return to employment. The Texas Law Dog will fight for compensation for those losses.
A Frisco Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Fight for Damages
Connect with a pedestrian accident attorney in Frisco as soon as possible after your accident. Texas follows a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, per Chapter 16 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Missing this filing deadline can lead to a case dismissal. Still, do not assume you have missed your opportunity without speaking to us. Some cases have circumstances warranting extensions.
Your attorney will also fight for recoverable damages after a pedestrian accident. Victims less than 51% responsible for the accident causing their injuries can seek compensation, according to Chapter 33 of the Texas Code. They can see their compensation reduced by whatever smaller percentage of fault they bear.
Our team will defend you against false accusations to keep your compensation intact.
We are also strategic negotiators, prepared to hold insurance companies accountable for paying you a fair settlement. We will come to every discussion armed with convincing evidence and a plan for success. If the other side refuses to negotiate in good faith, we will present you with your options, explain the potential outcomes of settling vs. going to court, and help you find the best way forward.
At The Texas Law Dog, We Get Results
Pedestrian accidents bring serious consequences and demand substantial compensation. The Texas Law Dog knows how to get results. Reach out for a free case review and start moving toward justice. We will fight to recover your monetary losses, get acknowledgment for your emotional suffering, and put you back on secure financial ground.
