When drivers don’t watch the road carefully, the results can be devastating, especially for pedestrians. Anyone who gets behind the wheel is responsible for looking out for pedestrians and not just other cars. While urban areas have a higher number of pedestrian accidents than rural areas, many collisions occur on country roads. A pedestrian hit by a car can suffer devastating and even fatal injuries, so both drivers and those walking alike must take steps to ensure everyone on and near the roads are protected, especially since pedestrian deaths are on the rise.
You do not have to be out for a walk to be considered a pedestrian; a pedestrian is an injury victim who was not in a motor vehicle at the time of an accident. This includes bicyclists, those waiting at a crosswalk or bus stop, or someone standing on a corner advertising their business. Some of the most common reasons pedestrian accidents occur include distracted driving, speeding, and drunk driving.
Under Texas law, pedestrians have the right-of-way:
- When crossing at a crosswalk and the light facing them is green, unless it is only a green arrow signaling cars to turn
- When the light control signals “Walk”
- At a crosswalk without a signal when they are in the half of the roadway in which the car is traveling or close to it
- When walking on the side of a road without a sidewalk facing traffic if possible
- When on a sidewalk and crossing an alley, driveway, or building entrance
Safety Measures Pedestrians Can Take
Being hit by a car is an extremely traumatic event, no matter how minor or how serious the injuries are. In order to avoid being hit, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends pedestrians take the following safety measures:
- Follow the rules of the road, obeying traffic signs and signals
- Walk on sidewalks when available
- If there is not a sidewalk, walk facing traffic
- Don’t walk while distracted by electronic devices
- Cross in crosswalks and/or at intersections whenever possible
- Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left and right
- Try to make eye contact with drivers and/or otherwise ensure they see you before crossing
- In order to ensure you are visible, wear bright colors during the day and wear reflective clothing and/or use a flashlight at night
- Watch for cars backing out of driveways and backing up in parking lots
- Avoid walking while impaired by drugs or alcohol
Steps To Take After a Pedestrian Accident
Whether you were out walking your dog, taking a trip to the store on foot, or walking your children to school, you might be a pedestrian more often than you think. If you’re hit, the actions you and/or those with you take immediately after the accident can impact your eventual medical recovery, as well as your ability to sue the liable party for damages.
After a collision, a pedestrian hit by a car in Texas should ensure they are in a safe location and call for emergency assistance first. The victim needs a proper medical examination as soon as possible. Police will arrive on the scene to take witness statements and create a report. If you are able to, get the contact and insurance information for the driver who hit you and information about their vehicle, such as the make, model, and license plate number. Take photographs or ask a witness to take photographs of the accident scene including any damage to the vehicle or vehicles involved. You will need to report the accident to your insurance company to ensure they are notified of the incident in a timely manner should you need to make a claim with your own carrier.
The next step – and one of the most important – is to speak with and hire an experienced pedestrian accident attorney. Beginning to work with a lawyer immediately after the crash will give you the best chance of getting the compensation you will need to fully recover.
Auto Pedestrian Injuries
Pedestrians have no protection from injury in a collision with a motor vehicle, and the injuries they suffer are often serious, catastrophic or even fatal. Motor vehicles kill thousands of pedestrians every year. Given the size disparity between a vehicle and a human, pedestrians almost always suffer much more significant injuries than drivers. Common auto pedestrian injuries can include brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bones, amputation, internal injuries, lacerations, and more.
Corpus Christi Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
At Flood Trial Lawyers, we know being hit by a car can have a lasting impact on your emotional and physical health and your family’s well being. If a vehicle hits you, you need an experienced advocate. Let our pedestrian accident attorney help you obtain the best possible recovery for your injuries. Any initial consultation with Flood Trial Lawyers is FREE, and you will owe us nothing unless we win your case, so contact us today.
