Houston Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you have sustained injuries after being hit by a car or other vehicle in Houston, it is important to contact an experienced pedestrian injury lawyer at Ben Bronston & Associates. If the negligent driver was traveling even 10 miles per hour, they can cause serious injuries that can result in a lifetime of medical bills. Under the statute of limitations, you only have two years to file a claim, so it’s critical to learn about your legal options as soon as possible.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Texas
Motor vehicle drivers who are not paying attention or being negligent cause most pedestrian accidents. As technology becomes more and more prevalent, drivers who are talking on their cell phones are the most common group to get in an accident with a pedestrian. Inattentive driving can also happen when someone is programming a GPS or maps system, applying makeup, or a variety of other things. Accidents can also happen when a driver does not know an area and gets confused while trying to navigate the roads.
In urban areas, aggressive driving is one of the largest causes of pedestrian accidents. City drivers tend to be more likely to run red lights or ignore road signs. Due to impatience, some drivers also exhibit signs of road rage, making them more likely to disregard road rules and endanger others. Drivers may fail to stop at a crosswalk or fail to properly check if people are coming, putting anyone trying to cross the road at risk of a car striking them.
Specific driving actions can also be more hazardous for pedestrians. Pedestrian accidents often occur when a driver is turning, making swift U-turns, or backing up and does not see the pedestrian. If this has happened to you, reach out to one of our accomplished Houston pedestrian accident attorneys for fair representation.
Another large factor in pedestrian accidents is alcohol. Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol are less likely to drive safely or pay attention to traffic laws. They may make irresponsible and dangerous choices that will put nearby pedestrians at risk.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Many pedestrian accidents go unreported, so it is difficult to know the true number of pedestrian accidents. There are, however, approximations. In 2013, 4,735 pedestrians died in United States in traffic accidents, and 66,000 suffered injuries. On average, an injury happened every eight minutes. This number increased in 2015 when 5,376 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in America. This would equate to one pedestrian killed by a crash every 1.6 hours. Pedestrian deaths made up 14% of all traffic fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.
Of infants and children up to 14 years old, 21% died in traffic accidents as pedestrians. Males account for 69% of pedestrians who died in traffic crashes in 2013. One-fifth of the pedestrian fatalities in 2013 were due to hit-and-run drivers.
Each time a pedestrian goes out walking, he or she is 1.5 times more likely to die in a car crash than a motor vehicle occupant. Pedestrian fatalities are more likely to happen in urban areas, locations without intersections, and at night.
Distracted Pedestrians
Pedestrian distraction can also play a role in accidents with cars. Drivers are not the only people who need to put down their phones. Having your eyes glued to your phone while you are walking on a street is extremely dangerous. It lowers your chances of seeing if something potentially dangerous is happening in front of you and slows your reaction time if there is an impending threat. Looking at your phone instead of the road also makes you more likely to wander off the crosswalk and into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
It is not only while on the street that you should put down your phone. In any situation with moving vehicles, you need to be paying attention to the scene around you. Parking lots, for example, can be extremely dangerous places because cars are pulling out and in all around, and many drivers forget to signal when they are turning into a parking spot. If you are looking at your phone, you could accidentally walk behind a car that is backing out, a situation in which it is unlikely that the driver can see you. If you were injured as a distracted pedestrian, one of our Houston pedestrian accident attorneys may be able to answer any questions you have regarding your case.
Crosswalks
It is also important to pay attention to crosswalks while you are walking. In 2006, 21% of pedestrian fatalities occurred when there was a crosswalk available but the pedestrian was not using it. Crosswalks provide safety for you and a guideline for motor vehicle drivers about where to expect pedestrians to be. Failing to use a crosswalk could be a fatal mistake.
How to Stay Safe While Walking in Houston
Pedestrians can take certain steps to try to prevent being involved in an accident. Here are some safety tips from our Houston pedestrian accident lawyers.
Nighttime is an especially dangerous time for pedestrians. Make sure that drivers can easily see you if you are walking around at night. Wear bright or reflective gear so that headlights can quickly spot you and drivers can know where you are. You should also carry a flashlight with you, especially if you are not wearing any bright or reflective clothing. Try to stay in well-lit areas of the street to increase your visibility to any oncoming drivers.
If a road provides a sidewalk, always use it. Sidewalks will keep you safely away from motor vehicles and greatly reduce the chances of an accident, even if the driver is driving recklessly. If the street you are on does not have a sidewalk, always walk facing traffic so you can be aware of any vehicle that is coming toward you.
Do not assume that cars will stop when they should. Distracted or impaired drivers may ignore or not notice stop signals and continue driving through the area. Try to make contact with cars coming your direction so that they are aware of you and will stop once they reach your area. If you just look at the vehicle, the driver may not see that you are planning to cross the street and may continue driving. Even if there is a pedestrian signal, look for oncoming cars and ensure that everyone is stopping for you.
Similar to drivers stopping at the correct times, do not assume that a driver is going to follow the rules of the road. It is impossible to know what condition the driver is in or how he or she drives so it is important to be extremely cautious as a pedestrian.
When you are walking through a parking lot, be extremely aware of engine noise or backup lights. Pay attention to all of the cars around you because they may begin backing up without realizing that you are there. Listening for engine noises and watching for lights will help you be able to avoid any cars that are coming toward you. Paying attention is especially important if you are in a busy parking lot and there are multiple cars coming toward you.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
After being involved in a pedestrian accident, the first thing to do is focus on staying calm, which can be difficult during such a frightening situation. If someone you were with was seriously injured, try not to move him or her in case the damage is severe. Call the police as soon as you can, especially if there is an injury. Collect contact information from any witnesses so that you can get statements if you decide to file a claim. Try to obtain the model, make, and license plate number of the car that hit you. Finally, be sure to seek medical attention even if it does not seem like you suffered any physical damage.
In the moments after the accident, do not admit fault. You may be eligible to file a case and admitting liability could compromise your claim. If you decide to file a claim, contact an experienced Houston pedestrian accident attorney to help you through the process.
If you were involved in a pedestrian accident in Texas, contact Ben Bronston & Associates today. We’ll help answer any questions or concerns you may have about your case.