Drivers have a legal duty to watch for people on foot. When they fail—because they are distracted, speeding, or simply not paying attention—pedestrians pay the price. The injuries are often serious and life-altering, and the insurance company is already working to limit what it pays out before you even know the full extent of what you are facing.
A pedestrian accident lawyer in Richardson from The Texas Law Dog knows how that game is played. Our founder spent years in the insurance industry before becoming a lawyer; he has seen firsthand how carriers evaluate these claims and what they do to minimize them.
As a Richardson personal injury lawyer who has fought for injured victims across this community, he built this firm to level the playing field. We don’t just bark. We bite.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Richardson
Shock, pain, and confusion make it hard to think clearly after a pedestrian accident. But what happens in the hours immediately following the crash can shape your entire claim.
The most important thing you can do is get medical attention right away, not just for your health, but because a documented medical timeline is one of the most powerful tools in a personal injury case. A gap between the crash and your first medical visit gives insurers room to argue your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else.
Beyond medical care, if you are physically able:
- Call 911 and make sure a police report is filed
- Do not move if you are seriously injured, wait for emergency services
- Ask someone nearby to photograph the scene, the vehicle, and your injuries if you cannot do it yourself
- Get the driver’s information: name, license plate, insurance, and contact details
- Identify witnesses and get their contact information before they leave
What Drivers Are Required to Do Under Texas Law
Texas law places clear obligations on drivers when it comes to pedestrians. Under Texas Transportation Code § 552.003, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. Additionally, under § 552.004, drivers must also exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian, regardless of where they are crossing.
That second point is key here. Even if you were not in a marked crosswalk, a driver still has a legal duty to watch for people on foot and take reasonable steps to avoid them. Insurance companies often try to use crosswalk location as a reason to reduce or deny a claim, but that argument has limits under Texas law. A Richardson pedestrian accident attorney will help you push back.
Richardson Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
How Fault Works in a Texas Pedestrian Accident Case
Texas’s modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001 applies to pedestrian cases just as it does to car accidents. If you are found more than 50 percent responsible for the crash, you cannot recover damages.
Insurers know this, and they use it. Common tactics include arguing that you:
- Crossed outside a marked crosswalk
- Entered the road unexpectedly or without looking
- Were wearing dark clothing at night
- Were distracted by a phone
These arguments are not automatically valid. Texas law requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians, regardless of where they are crossing. We build the factual record, collecting evidence such as traffic signal data, surveillance footage, witness accounts, vehicle speed estimates, and driver phone records, to counter these claims with evidence.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Pedestrian Collision in Richardson
The driver who hit you is the most obvious liable party, but they are not always the only one. Depending on the circumstances, your claim may also involve:
- An employer if the driver was working at the time of the crash
- A rideshare company, such as Uber or Lyft, if their driver caused the collision
- A delivery company, if a commercial driver was on duty
- A vehicle owner, if someone other than the owner was driving
- A government entity, if dangerous road design, missing signage, or poor lighting contributed to the crash
- A property owner, if unsafe conditions near the crash site played a role
Identifying every responsible party directly affects how much compensation may be available and which insurance policies apply. A pedestrian accident attorney in Richardson will help you pinpoint all liable parties to maximize what you recover for your case.
What Your Pedestrian Accident Claim May Be Worth
No two pedestrian accident cases are the same, but damages typically fall into two categories: economic losses and non-economic losses.
Economic Losses
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Non-economic Losses
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If the crash was fatal, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim under Texas law, which can include funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. Grief is hard enough without the added weight of a legal battle. A Richardson pedestrian accident lawyer can take the legal burden off your plate entirely.
Why The Texas Law Dog
Our founder came to law from the insurance industry. He spent years on the other side of these claims: evaluating them, managing them, and watching how carriers minimize payouts. He became a lawyer because he wanted to use that knowledge to help victims, not insurers.
When you work with The Texas Law Dog, you are working with someone who knows exactly what the other side is doing and why. We are a hometown firm with real relationships in this community with the defense lawyers, the judges, and the local roads where these crashes happen.
Case evaluations are free. We are available 24/7. Hablamos español.
Speak With a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Richardson Today
A driver’s careless moment can cost you months of recovery, thousands of dollars in medical bills, and a quality of life you may never fully get back. You deserve a lawyer who understands what is at stake and fights accordingly.
Contact The Texas Law Dog today for a free case evaluation. We don’t just bark. We bite.
