Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Houston, TX

In a big city like Houston, cars are king, putting pedestrians at risk of injury and death when drivers are negligent. Even when those on foot use crosswalks and obey traffic signals, a motorist who fails to drive safely can leave you or a loved one with serious harm that takes a lifetime to overcome. You need a Houston pedestrian accident lawyer who understands how to fight for the financial compensation you need to cover your bills.

At Farah Law, we work hard for pedestrian accident victims, identifying all at-fault parties and holding them accountable. From bad drivers to poor road designers whose crosswalks are not safe, we find the evidence needed to show how their negligence led to your injuries. If you or a family member has been hurt while walking, contact us for a free consultation with a Houston pedestrian accident attorney today.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

After you have been hit by a negligent driver, you are likely in pain and confused. Your first step should be to get medical treatment by calling 911 or asking someone else to do so. Try to remain calm and follow these recommendations at the accident scene and afterward:

  • Speak to police officers and tell them what happened.
  • Get medical attention from paramedics.
  • Take photos of the vehicle, your injuries, traffic signals, and anything else that might show what happened.
  • Get the driver’s contact and insurance details.
  • Ask witnesses for their contact information.
  • Contact a pedestrian accident attorney to discuss your options for holding the at-fault party accountable.
  • See your doctor to evaluate the full severity of your injuries.
  • File a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
  • Have your attorney conduct negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf.

Your lawyer can investigate the accident scene and provide legal representation for you as you build your case. They can help you gather evidence to support your personal injury case, such as witness statements, cell phone records, and police reports. Your pedestrian attorney can help you account for all the economic costs of your injuries, as well as seek financial acknowledgment of your pain and suffering.

It is vital that you get seen by a doctor right away after your accident to ensure all your injuries are accurately diagnosed. Not only can your physician find potential ā€œsilentā€ injuries that may not appear until hours or days later, but this medical care establishes a link between your injuries and the pedestrian accident.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Accidents involving pedestrians are common in intersections and parking lots. Drivers may be distracted by traffic, their GPS device, their cell phone, or by looking for a parking space. Pedestrians can be severely injured when a negligent motorist fails to obey red lights or stop signs, hurting pedestrians using crosswalks.

Some of the most common causes of vehicle and pedestrian accidents are:

  • Speeding
  • Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol
  • Distracted driving
  • Disregarding road signs and signals
  • Not yielding the right-of-way
  • Unsafe driving behaviors

Another more recent cause of pedestrian accidents is the increase in car and truck sizes in the United States. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), vehicles with a hood height of more than 40 inches may be as much as 45% more likely to hurt pedestrians. Large pickup trucks can put the average 6-year-old child with a height between 42 and 49 inches out of sight.

Type of Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Even when a vehicle is traveling at low speeds when it hits a person, the victim can suffer severe injuries. Being knocked to the ground, into stationary objects, or thrown into oncoming traffic means injured pedestrians may suffer catastrophic injuries or fatalities.

Some of the most common conditions our Houston pedestrian accident attorneys see include:

Head Injuries

Pedestrians hit by cars may be thrown onto the hood or into the windshield of the vehicle, suffering superficial damage to their heads and faces. They may also experience eye, jaw, ear, and mouth injuries, which could result in permanent blindness or other issues. When the victim’s head impacts any object, the person may suffer skull fractures or lacerations to the large blood vessels in the neck.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Beyond injury to the skin and facial structures, a pedestrian may suffer traumatic brain injury such as a concussion, brain bleeds, or coup-contrecoup damage. These conditions may lead to temporary or permanent brain damage, affecting the person’s cognitive functions. Victims may also lose their sensation and control of various parts of their bodies, be unable to speak or understand others or experience extreme pain.

Victims who suffer traumatic brain injuries from a pedestrian accident may be unable to care for themselves or others for extended periods of time. They may have substantial medical bills on top of their regular expenses, all of which require full compensation from the at-fault party.

Spinal Cord Injuries

When a person is hit by a car, they may suffer muscle damage to their limbs and back, leaving them with significant pain and recovery needs. In addition, their spine and spinal cord can be damaged, leading to paralysis or a loss of feeling. If the injury is severe enough, the victim may never recover full use of their body and could be left unable to support themselves or their family financially.

Loss of Limb or Amputations

A pedestrian who is hit at high speed or thrown into other danger can experience crushed limbs or sudden amputations. If hands, feet, legs, or arms are damaged seriously enough, attending physicians may need to amputate a limb to save the person. These catastrophic injuries can limit the victim’s ability to return to their jobs, causing economic loss.

Broken Bones

Some of the most common injuries in pedestrian accidents are broken bones, especially in the arms and legs. However, victims may suffer broken ribs, cracked pelvises, and cervical dislocation, requiring emergency medical care. Even though these broken bones may heal in a few weeks, patients can be left with mobility issues and ongoing pain.

Wrongful Death

When a pedestrian is killed by a negligent driver, their surviving spouse, children, and parents have the right to bring a wrongful death claim under Texas Statutes section 71.001. At Farah Law, we stand ready to identify all liable parties, build the strongest case possible, and tirelessly seek the maximum compensation all pedestrian accident victims deserve. We do not rest until you secure justice for yourself or your wrongfully deceased loved one.

Our Houston Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Will Fight for Maximum Compensation

When you have been hurt by a negligent driver, you have the right to seek compensation by filing an insurance claim or proceeding to a personal injury lawsuit. If you are severely hurt, managing a pedestrian accident case on your own while trying to focus on your medical care may seem overwhelming since you need to focus on getting better. Fortunately, you can rely on a personal injury attorney at Farah Law to take these worries off your shoulders.

Some of the damages your attorney may recommend to include in your personal injury claim are:

  • Lost income while you recover
  • Lost benefits or earning capacity if you become disabled
  • All your medical bills
  • Travel expenses for medical treatment
  • Property damage, such as clothes, computers, cell phones, or jewelry
  • In-home or nursing facility costs
  • Rehabilitation and therapy expenses

Your lawyer will collect evidence and craft a case that demonstrates how the at-fault party owed you a duty of care to drive safely, how they failed in that duty, and how their failure resulted in your injuries. Your attorney will also present your medical records and other bills to show the full value of your damages, demanding fair compensation for those losses. If the insurance company does not meet these demands, we may advise you to go to court.

What if the Insurance Company Does Not Want to Pay for All My Injuries?

Insurance companies often agree to pay only medical expenses and lost income, yet you may experience substantial pain and suffering from the accident. Because it may take a long time to fully diagnose your injuries, you need an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer working with medical specialists to provide a projection of your future costs. We can estimate how much you will need to pay for additional surgeries, physical therapy, and other expenses.

At Farah Law, we also work to secure financial relief for chronic pain or disability that may prevent you from working or caring for your personal needs. When your damages exceed the policy limits, or you are permanently disabled, you may need to pursue a trial to secure the full compensation you deserve. In Texas, you must file your lawsuit within the two-year statute of limitations or risk losing your chance to hold the negligent driver accountable in court.

We help you manage the paperwork and filing deadlines to ensure you do not lose your right to file your case. We also offer a contingency fee basis for our work, meaning you do not pay our attorney’s fees unless we obtain a settlement for you. This gives you the freedom to acquire superior legal representation without adding to your financial concerns.

Contact the Houston Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Farah Law Today for a Free Consultation Today

When you need help managing your pedestrian accident claim, you can turn to the experienced legal team at Farah Law. We are dedicated to helping you recover emotionally, physically, and financially so you can get back to your family and what matters most. We pursue the liable party so you get the compensation you deserve.

We offer over 60 years of combined experience and are fierce litigators in the courtroom and over the negotiating table. Our professionals are committed to protecting your interests against those who try to escape accountability. Schedule a free consultation with the Houston pedestrian accident attorneys at our firm to begin getting justice for your pedestrian accident today.