Walking should be safe. Whether you’re crossing the street or a parking lot, or simply strolling along a sidewalk, you have the right to move through your community without fear. Yet every year, thousands of pedestrians in Houston and across Texas suffer serious injuries when they are hit by cars, trucks, and other vehicles.
When a pedestrian hit by a car suffers painful injuries, they deserve accountability. At The Patel Firm, our lawyers can help you fight for the compensation you need to recover. With a proven track record throughout the Lone Star State, our team fights for real results so you can focus on healing.
Contact us for your free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing out of pocket for us to begin working on your pedestrian accident claim, and there are no fees unless we successfully resolve your matter.
Why Should I Hire an Attorney for My Houston Pedestrian Accident Claim?
After a pedestrian accident injury, you might wonder if you really need a lawyer. The truth is that having a pedestrian accident attorney in Houston on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your pedestrian accident case.
Insurance companies often attempt to minimize the amount they pay to individuals who have been injured. They might pressure you to accept a quick settlement that doesn’t cover all your expenses. They might even try to blame you for the accident. A skilled attorney can protect your rights and fight for the full amount you deserve.
At The Patel Firm, we deliver big-firm results with small-firm attention. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to take your call, respond to your messages, and answer your emails. We believe in strong yet personalized representation, which means you’ll never be treated like just a case number. We take the time to get to know you and understand your situation so that we can build a strategy that works for your specific needs. Our solid track record of success for accident victims throughout Texas speaks to our commitment to each person we represent.
Contact us today to speak with a qualified pedestrian accident lawyer in Houston. Your case review is free and fully confidential.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
The moments and days following a pedestrian accident can feel confusing and scary. Taking the right steps early on can help protect both your health and your legal rights. You should do the following:
- Get Medical Help Right Away – You might feel OK at first, but some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. A doctor can thoroughly examine you and create a record of your injuries.
- Try to Gather Information at the Scene – Get the driver’s name, phone number, insurance details, and license plate number. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any damage. If anyone saw what happened, ask if you can have their contact information.
- Report the Accident to the Police – A police report provides an official record of what happened and can be valuable evidence for your pedestrian accident lawsuit.
- Contact a Houston Pedestrian Accident Attorney as Soon as Possible – The sooner you bring your case to a pedestrian accident law firm like The Patel Firm, the sooner we can start building a strong case.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?
Determining who is at fault in a pedestrian accident can sometimes be complicated. In many cases, the driver who hit you will be liable. This could include drivers who were speeding, texting, driving drunk, running red lights, or simply not paying attention.
However, other parties may also share responsibility. For example, if a city failed to maintain safe crosswalks or didn’t install proper traffic signals, it could be partly liable. If a business encouraged unsafe practices in its parking lot, it might bear some responsibility. In cases that involve commercial vehicles, the company that owns the vehicle might be liable.
A pedestrian accident attorney can investigate all the facts and identify everyone who should be held accountable. At The Patel Firm, we have the resources and experience to dig deep into what happened and build a compelling case on your behalf. Reach out to us today to schedule your free case review.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?
When you file a claim, you can seek pedestrian accident compensation for many different types of losses, such as the following:
- Your medical expenses
- Lost wages and lost earning ability.
- Physical pain and suffering
- The fear, anxiety, and emotional distress you’ve experienced
- Permanent scars or disfigurement
The amount of compensation you are entitled to depends on the specific facts of your pedestrian accident case. The ultimate goal is to make you as whole as possible after what happened. At The Patel Firm, our attorneys can carefully calculate all your losses so that nothing is overlooked.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law sets a deadline for filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit. In most cases, you have two years from the accident to file your case in court.
Two years might sound like a long time, but it can pass quickly. It takes time to investigate an accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case. If you wait too long, important evidence may disappear, witnesses could forget details, or it may become harder to prove what happened.
Even more importantly, if you miss the two-year deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation entirely. The court will refuse to hear your case, and you’ll be left with no legal options.
That’s why it’s so important to contact a Houston pedestrian accident lawyer soon after the accident happens. At The Patel Firm, we can begin working on your case immediately.
How Many Pedestrians Are Killed in Houston and Texas Each Year?
Pedestrian accidents are a serious problem. How many pedestrians are killed in Houston and throughout Texas annually? One in six traffic deaths is a pedestrian.
In recent years, hundreds of pedestrians have been killed in Texas each year. Houston, as one of the state’s largest cities, sees a significant share of these tragedies. The numbers tend to rise in areas with heavy traffic, poor lighting, and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure. Many of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented if drivers had been more careful or if safer street designs had been in place.
What Are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
Understanding what causes pedestrian accidents can help us see why drivers should be held accountable when they hurt someone. Most pedestrian accidents happen due to driver error or carelessness.
Common causes include the following:
- Distracted Driving – Drivers who text, talk on the phone, eat, or fiddle with the radio often fail to see a pedestrian in time to stop.
- Speeding – When drivers go too fast, they don’t have as much time to react, and stopping becomes much harder.
- Drunk Driving – Alcohol slows reaction times and impairs judgment, making it harder for drivers to see and avoid pedestrians.
- Failing to Yield – Many drivers don’t stop for people in crosswalks or ignore pedestrians’ right of way when turning.
- Running Red Lights or Stop Signs – Disregarding traffic signals puts everyone at risk, especially people crossing the street.
- Poor Visibility at Night – Drivers who don’t use their headlights properly or who drive too fast for conditions may not see pedestrians until it’s too late.
- Reckless Driving in Parking Lots – Some drivers speed through parking lots and parking garages without watching for pedestrians walking to their cars.
Regardless of the cause of the accident, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Houston can investigate the circumstances and build a case to demonstrate that the driver acted carelessly.
What Are Common Injuries Someone Can Sustain in a Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrians have no protection from the force of a crash, often resulting in severe injuries.
Common injuries from pedestrian accidents include the following:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, which can cause paralysis
- Internal injuries to organs
- Road rash and burn injuries
- Cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds
- Soft tissue injuries like sprains and tears
- Permanent scars and disfigurement
- Amputations
- Emotional trauma and psychological injuries
These injuries often require extensive and expensive medical treatment, including surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and long-term care. The physical pain can be severe, and the emotional toll can be just as difficult. Many people struggle to return to work or to the activities they once enjoyed.
A Houston pedestrian accident attorney can account for all these injuries and their long-term effects when seeking compensation on your behalf.
Contact a Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
At The Patel Firm, we understand that being injured in a pedestrian accident can upend your life. Our pedestrian accident law firm has a proven track record of helping injury victims throughout Texas get the justice and compensation they deserve.
We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you. Attorney Minesh Patel is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and he has been recognized as one of the top attorneys in America. These honors reflect our commitment to excellence and results.
When you work with The Patel Firm, you’ll experience the difference that personalized attention makes. Moreover, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means if you don’t get paid, neither do we. You won’t owe us anything unless we win your case and secure a financial award or settlement on your behalf.
If you or someone you love was hurt by a vehicle while on foot, don’t wait. Contact The Patel Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Houston pedestrian accident lawyer who can fight for your rights and your future.