Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable on the roads of Houston, Texas. When involved in an accident, the injuries can be severe and even deadly. That’s why it’s essential to always be aware of your surroundings while sharing a road with drivers. However, even the most vigilant of pedestrians can be involved in an accident through no fault of their own. Consulting with a Houston pedestrian accident lawyer is a critical step to understanding pedestrian rights and options.
If you were injured by a driver, Steinger, Green & Feiner can help. Our personal injury lawyers are well-versed in pedestrian accidents, experts at negotiation, and have the resources to ensure that you receive the maximum financial compensation for your injuries.
Why Choose Steinger, Green & Feiner
Hiring the right personal injury lawyer can make or break your case in Texas. You can count on Steinger, Greene & Feiner to be with you from the very beginning, assisting in everything from gathering evidence to representing you in court. We will fight for you every step of the way, and we will ensure that you receive the very best outcome for your case.
We guarantee:
- Affordable services
- Comprehensive representation
- Convenient communication
- 24/7 availability
- Maximum financial compensation
You can rest easy knowing that you’ll be in the good hands of Steinger, Green, & Feiner.
The Reality of Pedestrian Accidents in Houston
Pedestrian accidents are on the rise in the United States. They’re at the highest they’ve been in 30 years, and Texas is particularly notorious for being a huge part of it. Houston, in particular, has some of the most pedestrian-sharing roadways out of the cities in the United States, which are where many pedestrian accidents occur.
- According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 828 pedestrians were killed and over 4,000 pedestrians were injured in 2022 in Texas alone
- Projections showed that an additional 2,000 additional injuries were likely, but not reported
- Also in 2022, drivers in Texas were involved in a total of 917 fatal crashes with pedestrians and cyclists
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
There are a number of causes behind pedestrian accidents. However, there are recurring causes that are the most common and need to carefully be avoided.
Distracted Driving
One of the biggest distractions while driving is the driver using their cell phone. Even just checking the phone for a couple of seconds can be the difference between safety and an accident, many of which involve pedestrians.
Speeding
Speeding is always unsafe, but it’s an extensive issue in residential areas and parking lots where there are a lot of pedestrians. When going over the speed limit, it’s difficult to make a safe stop or react to environmental changes as quickly as what’s needed. This is a particularly dangerous practice during school and work zones.
Failure to Yield
When a driver is in a hurry, it’s easy to try and ignore yielding signs as they’re not a traffic light or a stop sign. However, yield signs are just as essential to follow to avoid accidents.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is always hazardous. Intoxicated drivers have slower reaction times, less awareness, and a lack of ability to make good judgment calls. Other drivers and pedestrians are not safe with a drunk driver on the road.
Poorly Designed Intersections
Though it’s not in control of the driver or the pedestrian, poorly designed intersections can play a part in pedestrian accidents. If they’re not created with the safety of both pedestrians and drivers in mind, it will be much more likely for an accident to occur.
These intersections in Houston have the highest rates of pedestrian accidents and injuries:
- Bellaire and South Gessner
- Long Point and Gessner
- Shepherd and Allen Parkway and Kirby
- Fondren and West Bellfort
- Bissonnet and Wilcrest
- Hawthorne and Spur 527 and Holman
- Taylor and Spring and MKT Trail
- West and Airline
- Patterson and Washington
- 11th and Nicholson
Injuries Resulting From Pedestrian Accidents
Injuries from pedestrian accidents can be severe and even deadly due to how vulnerable pedestrians are. If a pedestrian does survive the impact of a motor vehicle, they tend to have debilitating injuries and disfigurement.
These are some of the most common injuries from pedestrian accidents:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Lacerations and Contusions
- Fatalities
Understanding Your Rights as a Victim
Texas is a modified comparative negligence state, which means that a person can sue even if they are partially at fault for the accident. However, if they are over 51% to blame for the accident, they can’t recover any damages.
In most pedestrian accident cases, the driver is at fault. However, that’s not always the case. It could be the case that another driver made a mistake that resulted in the other driver hitting the pedestrian. Other outside factors could affect the accident, as well.
An experienced attorney is vital to proving the actual cause of the crash.
Role of Insurance
Because the driver will be responsible for compensating you for your losses, you must go through your driver’s insurance company to receive your compensation. The issue is that all insurance adjusters will do everything in their power to prevent you from being offered the fair compensation that you deserve.
Having an excellent personal injury attorney at your side is essential to negotiation with insurance companies who will try and blame the pedestrian for the accident or undermine their injuries.
How Our Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help
Being involved in a pedestrian accident in Texas is tough enough. That’s why you deserve to have an expert Houston pedestrian accident lawyer from Steinger, Greene & Feiner to assist you every step of the way. Not only will they ensure that the process is stress-free, they will earn you the compensation that you deserve.
Our knowledgeable team will:
- Investigate the accident
- Gather evidence
- Determine fault
- Calculate damages
- Interview witnesses
- Build a strong case
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- File and submit paperwork
- Meet key deadlines
- Handle your settlement
- Represent you in court
Proving Negligence
Our Houston pedestrian accident lawyers will help prove that the driver in question was negligent in order to receive damages for the case.
To do this, they will need to meet four criteria:
- Duty: The driver had a duty to abide by traffic laws and drive safely around pedestrians
- Breach: The driver failed to meet this duty
- Causation: The driver’s breach caused the accident and the pedestrian’s injuries
- Damages: The pedestrian suffered a form of identifiable harm, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional, as a result of their injuries
Compensation You Can Expect
Economic Damages
Economic damages are intended to compensate a pedestrian accident victim for money lost as a result of their injury.
These can include:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Prescription medications
These types of damages can be demonstrated by payroll and tax documents.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages can be harder to quantify.
These damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
None of these damages are automatically granted to injured pedestrians. Each type of damage must be proven and the value of each type of damage must be established, as well.
Punitive Damages
In extenuating circumstances, punitive damages may be available. Unlike regular damages, punitive damages are meant to punish the person who injured them, as opposed to helping the victim recover the money they lost. Punitive damages are usually involved in cases of gross negligence.
Testimonials
We have a track record of success in our cases that lead to happy, satisfied clients.
“From beginning to end, my attorney Alison Davis was so attentive and on top of every detail of the process. It isn’t something that you can do on your own, making Steinger, Greene, and Feiner a great option. I hope I don’t need to, but I would definitely use them again. Very happy with my settlement, and as they say, I love my attorney!” – Ross Lappin
“They have been professional, courteous, and right on time. I am very satisfied. I’m in so much pain and they have been comforting and reassuring. There are not enough stars. Five is not enough.” -Isaiah Wilson
“This is one of the best attorneys I have ever used. They take care of you. They kept me informed on what they were doing and how they did it. To all who are looking for a good attorney, this is the one to use. He will be my attorney whenever I need him.” -Rodney Shuemake
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident?
There are four vital steps that need to be taken after a pedestrian accident.
First, seek emergency medical care. Call 911 if you’re seriously injured and wait for the first responders to arrive.
Second, you will need to call the police. They will arrive to investigate the accident, gather statements from everyone involved, and file an official police report. Make sure to ask for a copy of this report as it will be utilized by both your attorney and the insurance company.
Third, gather evidence to build your personal injury case. You will need to prove that the driver was negligent and caused your accident, as well as your injuries. This evidence can include photos, videos, witness statements, and the driver’s insurance details.
Finally, seek primary or urgent medical care. Even if you don’t have any visible injuries from the accident, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have any. You could have suffered internal injuries that only medical scans can detect. When you’re there, secure copies of your bill and any scans or notes taken to help prove the driver’s negligence.
How Soon After the Accident Should I Contact a Lawyer?
When contacting a lawyer about your accident, it’s essential that you call a lawyer as soon as you are comfortable doing so. That way, they can offer their assistance from the very beginning.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Pedestrian Accident Case?
How long it takes to settle a pedestrian accident case will depend greatly on the severity of your injuries. Cases involving minor injuries can be settled in as little as a couple of months. Cases with more severe injuries can take years to settle.
What if the Driver Who Hit Me Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance, it’s possible that your insurance will cover the costs, depending on the plans you have. Otherwise, you may file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Houston?
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we work on a contingency basis; you will not need to pay anything until after we’ve won your case.
What if the Accident Resulted in a Fatality?
If a pedestrian accident resulted in fatality in Texas, close family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
Secure the Compensation You Deserve With Our Expertise
If you’re in the Houston area and are involved in an accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert team at Steinger, Greene & Feiner. Our lawyers will be there for you every step of the way and fight for you to receive the financial compensation that you deserve. You won’t even have to pay until we win your case.
Contact us for a free case evaluation.