Unlike drivers of cars who are protected by steel, airbags, and other safety features if they are involved in a crash, pedestrians in Dallas are not. People have almost no protection when a car hits them. These accidents can result in the pedestrian being seriously injured and suffering broken bones, lacerations, or worse. Our experienced Dallas personal injury lawyers at our firm recognize the stress this situation puts on victims and their families. Third parties can be difficult to deal with alone when trying to make things right. The negligent driver that caused the accident might not want to cooperate with you, and their insurance provider may be unwilling to pay out what you deserve to cover your medical expenses. We are here to advocate and ensure you receive the legal justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your pedestrian accident today.
Why Work With Shamieh Law’s Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Dallas?
Securing legal representation is essential when pursuing compensation after a pedestrian accident. Our experienced Dallas pedestrian accident attorneys at Shamieh Law are familiar with the consequences of these accidents and strive to provide high-quality, compassionate legal counsel and representation.
We’ve developed a strong track record of success and dedication to high-quality service, treating every client like family. We prioritize work ethic and communication, using our extensive experience to help clients fight for the compensation they deserve.
We take pride in “Winning With Awareness.” We champion our clients’ interests, helping them through every step of their claim, whether they need assistance getting medical care or navigating their settlement. If you’ve been injured in a Dallas pedestrian accident, we are here for you.
How Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Dallas Can Help
Navigating Texas’s legal system can be overwhelming, especially when you’re focusing on healing from your accident. This is where a skilled Dallas pedestrian accident lawyer comes in. While you focus on your recovery, our knowledgeable, compassionate lawyers will:
- Listen to your story and experience in a free consultation.
- Conduct an in-depth investigation to uncover essential evidence, including dashcam footage, surveillance footage, police reports, and witness statements.
- Offer legal guidance to make sure you know your full legal rights and options so you can make an informed decision.
- Negotiate a fair out-of-court settlement with the at-fault party and their insurer.
- Argue your case in court if the at-fault party and their insurers refuse to compensate you fairly.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Consult with our experienced Dallas pedestrian accident lawyers for help navigating your case.
Possible Damages You Can Recover in a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit
Victims injured in Dallas pedestrian accidents are entitled to multiple types of compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. The amount of compensation you can recover through your claim varies based on factors specific to your case, including the extent of your injuries and the likelihood of a full recovery.
Three types of compensation are available: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover monetary expenses associated with your accident, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover the subjective aspects of your injuries and losses, including:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
Punitive Damages
The courts award punitive damages, sometimes known as exemplary damages, to punish the defendant for their actions. Though rarely awarded, punitive damages can significantly boost the value of your claim when available. Our knowledgeable Dallas pedestrian accident attorneys will push for this form of damages when possible.
Understanding Contributory Negligence
Texas is a modified contributory negligence state, which means you can recover damages so long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault for an accident. If you are 50 percent or less to blame for the accident, the damages awarded to you will be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault.
For example, if your damages total $1 million and you are 40 percent to blame for the accident, your compensable damages are reduced to $600,000. Determining who is at fault for an accident is a complex process that requires careful evaluation of all evidence, so having help from a skilled Dallas pedestrian accident lawyer is essential.
Pedestrian Accident Are Common in Dallas
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are all too common in Dallas. Victims suffer severe injuries and are even killed as a result of the collision. Over the past few years, pedestrian accidents have increased 27% nationally, according to a Texas A&M Transportation Institute study. Shockingly, Dallas County was the fourth-highest county in the nation for pedestrian fatalities.
These pedestrian collisions happen in Dallas’s thriving art-centric neighborhoods, such as Deep Ellum, where many people are out enjoying leisure activities and crossing the road often. Also, it isn’t uncommon for pedestrians to be hit on major interstates such as I-30 that feed into the downtown area.
In some pedestrian accidents, the driver chooses to flee the scene after injuring or killing a pedestrian, as we saw just recently in North East Dallas.
Types of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can look very different depending on the circumstances. For example, a multiple-threat accident can occur when a pedestrian is crossing multiple lanes of traffic and needs several drivers to stop to let them cross.
Pedestrians may also sustain injuries when they pass behind a car backing out of a driveway or parking spot if the driver doesn’t see them or if the driver fails to yield to them as they pass through a crosswalk.
Distracted driver accidents occur when the driver diverts their attention, even just for a few seconds. Pedestrian bus accidents, particularly school bus accidents, are another type that occurs when people are getting off a stopped bus and drivers attempt to pass or don’t pay attention.
Common Injuries Pedestrians Sustain in an Accident
Pedestrians don’t have a steel chassis, airbags, or a seatbelt to protect them in an accident, so injuries can be severe. Common injuries pedestrians sustain in these accidents include:
- Head and neck injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Sprains, strains, tears, and bruises
- Burns and road rash
- Cuts and puncture wounds
- Spinal cord injuries, including full or partial paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Psychological trauma
How To Stay Safe as a Pedestrian in Dallas
The streets of Dallas are often buzzing with activity. With thousands of cars, trucks, bikes, and pedestrians traversing the city every day, it’s important to stay alert. As you walk through Dallas, there are a few things you can do to stay safe:
- Always use crosswalks. If there isn’t one nearby, check for a crosswalk down the street.
- Always check both ways before walking. Drivers don’t always see people trying to cross the street, especially when parallel-parked cars are on the roads, so ensure you look both ways before crossing.
- Stick to the sidewalks. If the street you’re on doesn’t have one, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
- Don’t assume traffic will stop for you and yield to vehicles. While yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks is the law, some drivers may not stop.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing. This helps ensure they see you and are aware you’re crossing.
- Look both ways before exiting a bus, as passing traffic may not notice people are stepping off.
- Exit your car on the curbside of the street if you can. If not, check for oncoming traffic before opening your door and climbing out.
- Obey crosswalk and traffic signs.
Pedestrian Rights in Dallas, Texas
Texas law outlines various pedestrian rights and responsibilities regarding crosswalks and traffic signals:
- Crosswalks – Pedestrians have the right-of-way. Drivers must stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway if there is no traffic control signal and the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway the vehicle is traveling on or is about to cross onto that half.
- Traffic control signals – At functioning control signals, pedestrians have the right-of-way when the “walk” signal is displayed. If the “wait” or “don’t walk” signals are displayed, pedestrians don’t have the right-of-way and may not enter the crosswalk.
In these pedestrian statutes, Texas also outlines various requirements for drivers:
- Exercise care to avoid colliding with pedestrians on a roadway.
- Provide a warning to the pedestrian by sounding the horn when necessary.
- Use proper precautions when an obviously confused or incapacitated person or a child is on the roadway.
What Should You Do If You Are Hit By a Vehicle?
The immediate aftermath of being struck by a vehicle can be disorienting and chaotic. If possible, follow these steps:
- Get medical attention – Seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t think your injuries are severe, as some injuries may not be visible externally. If you’re unable to call 911 for help, ask a bystander to do it for you.
- Document the accident – If possible and when safe, collect as much evidence about the accident as possible. Take photos of your injuries and the accident scene, gather witness statements and contact information, and get the driver’s contact and insurance information.
- Watch what you say – Be careful of what you say to witnesses, drivers, and other people on the accident scene. Some statements can be taken out of context or used against you later.
- Talk to an attorney – Contact a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer in Dallas as soon as possible for help determining your legal options. Your lawyer can offer insight based on factors specific to your situation and outline the next steps toward pursuing compensation.
What Evidence Might Help My Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit?
Evidence will play a critical role in your pedestrian accident lawsuit. Important evidence may include things like:
- Photos and videos – Pictures and videos of your injuries, weather conditions, vehicle damage, and road conditions. It’s essential to take these photos and videos as soon as possible, as conditions can change quickly.
- Witness testimonies – Statements of witnesses who watched the entire scene unfold can prove essential in a lawsuit to pursue compensation. It’s best to get these statements immediately, as memories can fade over time.
- Police reports – The official police report offers a detailed description of the accident and the events that occurred. These reports can sometimes play a key role in supporting your case.
- Footage – Footage from nearby surveillance cameras may have captured the accident and could help establish fault. However, it may not be available in all cases, as not all stretches of road will have traffic or surveillance cameras installed nearby.
- Medical records – Your medical records will help demonstrate the severity of your injuries and the full extent of your treatments. Hang onto any related medical bills you receive in the days, weeks, and months following your accident.
If your injuries prevent you from collecting this evidence on the scene of the accident, don’t stress. Your lawyer can help track down vital information to build your case while you focus on healing.
Contact Our Top-Rated Dallas Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident due to another person’s carelessness, our experienced Dallas pedestrian accidents can help. Our Dallas team at Shamieh Law is well-versed in laws governing pedestrian accidents and knows how to handle the legal aftermath of accidents that occur on Texas roadways. Call us at (469) 813-7332 or complete our online contact form to start with a free case review.
- Dallas Car Accidents
- Dallas Truck Accidents
- Dallas Motorcycle Accidents
- Dallas Pedestrian Accidents
- Dallas Bus Accidents
- Dallas Train Accidents
- Dallas Slip and Fall Accidents
- Dallas Dog Bite Lawyer
- Dallas Workplace Accidents
- Dallas Construction Accidents
- Dallas Industrial Accidents
- Dallas Product Liability
- Dallas Wrongful Death Accidents
