Pedestrians face a greater risk of sustaining injuries in car accidents than drivers do. While motorists are protected by airbags, seatbelts, and the vehicle itself, pedestrians are completely vulnerable to their surroundings. This vulnerability puts them at a higher risk of sustaining life-altering and even life-threatening injuries because their bodies receive all the impact. If you or a loved one is the victim of a pedestrian accident, don’t hesitate to contact a San Antonio pedestrian accident lawyer at Steinger, Greene & Feiner.
Our San Antonio pedestrian accident lawyers will fight for your right to justice and financial compensation by holding the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Why Choose a San Antonio Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Different jurisdictions have different traffic laws and regulations. If you’re a pedestrian who gets in an accident in San Antonio, hiring a Dallas attorney isn’t the most effective strategy. A San Antonio attorney will know the laws and regulations specific to San Antonio pedestrian accidents and your rights as a pedestrian. This expertise will increase your chances of having a successful case and securing maximum compensation to cover your accident-related losses.
Our pedestrian accident lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner have the skills and resources required to achieve the results you want. We’ll support you every step of the way and handle the hard stuff so you don’t have to.
Car Accident Statistics
Texas pedestrian accidents have been on the rise in recent years. Between 2017 and 2022, pedestrian traffic deaths increased by 29.6%. 2022 alone saw 5,764 accidents involving pedestrians, which resulted in 1,526 injuries and 829 fatalities.
Looking beyond Texas, distracted driving is a leading cause of pedestrian accidents nationally. 3,522 people died in 2021 due to distracted driving. Other leading causes include speeding, impaired driving, and aggressive driving. An estimated 7,485 pedestrians were killed by Washington, D.C. drivers in 2021, a 12% increase from 2020.
With the number of pedestrian accidents increasing nationwide, it’s more important than ever to have an attorney you can trust if you were to get injured.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in San Antonio
Distracted Driving
Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can have life-threatening consequences for drivers and pedestrians alike. Common examples of distracted driving include texting, talking on the phone, inputting directions into a GPS, and changing songs. Any action that takes your eyes off the road is considered distracted driving. Distracted drivers run the risk of:
- Driving through a stop sign or red light
- Swerving onto a sidewalk
- Failing to recognize possible hazards
Impaired Driving
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in Texas and punishable by fines, jail time, and driver’s license penalties. The penalties increase with repeat violations. Here are the penalties for a DWI (driving while under the influence):
First Offense
- Up to a $2,000 fine
- Up to 180 days in jail upon conviction with three mandatory days
- Loss of driver’s license for up to one year
Second Offense
- Up to a $4,000 fine
- One month to a year in jail upon conviction
- Loss of driver’s license for up to two years
Third Offense
- A $10,000 fine
- Two to 10 years in prison
- Loss of driver’s license for up to two years
Reckless Behavior
Reckless driving can result in severe injuries and even death, especially for nearby pedestrians who are vulnerable to oncoming traffic. Examples of reckless driving include speeding, tailgating, changing lanes quickly without signaling, brake checking, and not yielding to pedestrians in intersections.
Types of Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians can suffer various injuries—ranging from mild to severe—when they’re involved in an accident. The three most common injuries resulting from pedestrian accidents are head injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries. Here’s a breakdown of each injury type, including their effects.
1. Head Injuries
If a vehicle strikes a pedestrian while traveling more than 10 mph, the pedestrian will likely fall and hit their head on the ground. The impact of their head against the pavement causes the brain to hit the side of the skull. This impact can cause an intracranial hemorrhage, which can cause permanent brain damage. Possible physical and psychological effects of brain damage include:
- Trouble with coordination
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Slurred speech
- Sensory issues
- Depression
2. Broken Bones
When the body collides with a vehicle and the ground, bones can break on contact. Broken bones must be surgically reconstructed with metal and other materials.
3. Internal Injuries
Common internal injuries include bleeding and organ damage. Similar to how the brain hits the skull upon impact with the ground, organs can also bump against each other and cause bleeding. Internal bleeding is difficult to detect because it often doesn’t cause pain. Once internal bleeding starts, it’s difficult to stop. If the bleeding isn’t stopped in time, the victim’s organs could shut down.
Other common injuries resulting from pedestrian accidents include the following:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation
- Paralysis
- Crush injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Soft tissue damage
Victims of pedestrian accidents often have long recovery times and require physical and occupational therapy to restore function.
The Importance of Timely Action
The statute of limitations in Texas for all personal injury claims is two years. This means you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim against the defendant. Once the statute of limitations has expired, you cannot file a claim for the accident, and you lose out on any financial compensation you could have received. Hire a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer to make sure your claim is filed within the statute of limitations, and all other paperwork is filed on time to maximize your compensation.
The Role of a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
These are the three main functions a pedestrian accident lawyer serves during the claims process.
- Gather and present evidence: Your lawyer will gather photos and videos of the accident scene, a police or accident report, eyewitness statements, video surveillance, medical records, medical bills, and all other evidence relevant to your case.
- Negotiate a settlement: After calculating your losses, your lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies to settle. Unfortunately, insurance companies often employ bad faith tactics like providing lowball offers and delaying claims. Your lawyer will fight back for the compensation you deserve.
- Prepare for trial: If a settlement can’t be reached, your lawyer will take your case to court where a judge and jury will determine fault and award compensation.
Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims
Victims of pedestrian accidents can seek two types of compensation: economic and non-economic.
- Economic damages cover monetary losses like medical bills, rehabilitative care, prescription medication, lost wages, and reduced earning potential.
- Non-economic damages cover non-monetary losses like pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, loss of companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Depending on the details of your case, you may also be able to seek punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded when the driver acted egregiously or with gross negligence. While economic and non-economic damages are designed to compensate the victim for their losses, punitive damages are designed solely to punish the driver for their actions. They’re not compensatory. Examples of cases that warrant punitive damages include drunk driving, drugged driving, and road rage. Punitive damages aren’t awarded often and are much less common than economic and non-economic damages.
Hear From Satisfied Clients
“I had the best experience with my attorney. He was always available to answer any questions I had. He is kind and thoughtful, and has the best personality, even if a question I had was silly. He always reassured me everything was going to be alright, and it was. I will be referring him and your law firm to anyone who needs an excellent personal injury attorney.” – Denise Morales
“Our case was handled very professionally. Everything was completed in a timely manner, and this company’s business relationships helped tremendously in the long run. No regrets and would definitely recommend.” – Marlene DeSouza
“From beginning to end, my attorney was so attentive and on top of every detail of the process. It isn’t something that you can do on your own, and Steinger, Greene, and Feiner is 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
“This law firm is absolutely outstanding! They take time to speak to you nearly every week with updates and explain the process in ways that even a child could understand, great communication! In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I had a case, I spoke with this law firm and they made this an outstanding experience, it was so easy to work with them, and life-changing results. Thank you, Steinger, Greene, & Feiner!” — Shannon Jones
“My experience has been very satisfying. They contacted me immediately, were extremely professional, listened to me, which is important, and began the same day working on my behalf. It doesn’t get better than that.” — Melissa Williams
“Steinger, Greene, and Feiner took my case when others refused. I feel that they really care, and want to help people, unlike all the others who only care about the money. If you want to be cared for, have your best interests looked after at all times, and also get the largest settlement possible, I definitely recommend SG&F. They are a different kind of law firm.” — Janis Kowalczyk
Choosing the Right Lawyer for Your Case
What to Look For in a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Experience
Hiring any personal injury lawyer isn’t good enough. You need a personal injury lawyer with experience handling pedestrian accidents. A pedestrian accident lawyer will know the ins and outs of your case and how to overcome various roadblocks along the way.
Track Record of Success
Your pedestrian accident lawyer should have not only experience handling pedestrian accident cases but also experience winning them for previous clients. If they’ve had success with past cases, they’ll be more likely to have success with yours.
24/7 Support
Pedestrian accident cases can be unpredictable. Questions might arise in the middle of the night when most lawyers wouldn’t be available to answer them. But at Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we’re always here to support you. We have team members available 24/7 to assist you.
Easy Communication
Whether you prefer to communicate virtually or in person, we’ve got you covered. Feel free to drop by our office or fill out our online form with your information. We’ll be there when and where you need us for your convenience.
Payment Structure
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you only pay when we win your case. That way, you can focus solely on your recovery while we focus on securing your rightful compensation.
Take the Next Step With a San Antonio Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Don’t risk losing out on financial compensation for your injuries. Contact Steinger, Greene & Feiner today to file a claim. We’ll start by conducting a free, no-obligation case evaluation to discuss the details of your pedestrian accident case and devise a legal strategy that will maximize your chances of winning. We’re ready to fight for your rights. Take the first step by contacting us today.