From walking to and from work, school, or the grocery store, hundreds of people take to the streets on a regular basis. Many don’t think twice about doing so, either. Yet, being involved in a pedestrian accident can change the course of a person’s life. How can a victim get the compensation they need for their injuries and get their life back on track?
Falcon Law Group, PLLC fights for pedestrian accident victims. We vigorously represent our clients, both to insurance company and in court to ensure that they get the compensation they need and deserve. Schedule your consultation now. Se Habla Español.
What Rights Do Pedestrians Have?
While both pedestrians and drivers have responsibilities under Texas law, we believe it’s important to briefly mention a few of the rights pedestrians do have. Although pedestrians do not always have the right of way, the responsibility to avoid an accident is placed primarily on drivers. Examples of this may include the driver using their horn, or taking special precautions when driving in a highly-populated area.
Drivers may also need to yield to pedestrians, as in a crosswalk or other walkway. This may be true even if a driver has the green light to turn or if they are backing out of their own driveway.
With that said, pedestrians should exercise proper caution. They should also not step out in front of a vehicle that is not yielding the right of way to them. It is better to remain safe.
How Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
The majority of pedestrian accidents happen when:
- A pedestrian attempts to cross the street without a designated crosswalk
- A driver is distracted in some way
- A driver is speeding
- A driver fails to yield the right of way to the pedestrian
- A driver does not check their mirrors or look over their shoulder before placing their vehicle in reverse to leave a parking spot, drive way, alley, or other spot
- A driver turns across a crosswalk without first looking for pedestrians
- A driver does not obey traffic lights or signs
It’s crucial for both drivers and pedestrians to pay attention to their surroundings to minimize the risk of these dangerous accidents.
How Is Fault Determined in a Pedestrian Accident?
As with other types of personal injury claims, a successful McAllen pedestrian accident relies on proving liability (or fault). So, how is fault determined? The truth is that proving fault isn’t always easy. It may need to be proven whether you, as the pedestrian, had the right of way or, at the very least, were less than 51% responsible for the accident. It may need to be proven that the driver was speeding, distracted, or somehow did not fulfill their legal obligation.
What Are the Most Common Injuries Seen in Pedestrian Accidents?
Of course, if you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, we hope it’s minor and that you’re not hurt. That’s the best possible outcome. However, that’s often not what happens because pedestrians aren’t well protected when a vehicle rams into them. Then, they’re often thrown onto the ground. Because of this, the injuries can be serious or even catastrophic in nature. The most common injuries seen in pedestrian accidents are:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Injuries to the head, neck, or back that may cause paralysis
- Simple or complex bone fractures
- Crushing injuries that may result in amputations
- Lacerations and cuts
- Road rash
- Severe burns
- Damage to internal organs
- Internal bleeding
- Disgurement
Compensation May Be Available
The injuries sustained because of a pedestrian accident can cause a lifetime of debt, or cause permanent disability. In short, your entire life can change physically, emotionally, and financially in a blink of an eye. To say that this is stressful is an absolute understatement. The good news is that compensation may be available for pedestrian accident victims.
Common forms of compensation may include:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, medical equipment, rehabilitation, and long-term healthcare
- Lost wages, including temporary and permanent disability along with vocational training and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
- Punitive damages
Falcon Law Group - Experienced McAllen Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Pedestrian accidents are dangerous. They can destroy your entire life. Let us help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Schedule your consultation now.
