Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Have you or a family member been involved in an auto-pedestrian accident in Houston, TX? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical costs, and pain and suffering.
The Houston pedestrian accident lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers will make a Texas-sized effort to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact our Houston, TX law offices at (713) 500-5000 to arrange a free consultation. We’re always prepared to answer your call – so don’t hesitate to reach out today.
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How Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Pedestrian Accident in Houston
If you were hit by a car while crossing the street or when a turning driver failed to yield, you need a lawyer with experience handling cases like yours. That’s why Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers should be your first call
Our experienced personal injury attorneys offer the highest level of representation in each pedestrian accident case we handle.
We have 45+ years of combined experience navigating the challenges that these types of cases present. Led by Brian White, who is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, we’ve helped our clients secure life-changing financial settlements and awards time and time again.
When you hire us after getting hit by a car in Houston, here’s what you can expect:
- We handle all of your legal needs. From dealing with insurance companies to investigating the facts, when we take on pedestrian accidents, we manage all of the legal issues. You only need to focus on your physical rehabilitation and recovery.
- We investigate fault to hold the at-fault party accountable. If your pedestrian injury was caused by a distracted or negligent driver, we will get the evidence needed to prove it. We will use that evidence to hold the at-fault driver accountable for their negligence.
- We work with leading Texas experts. In a pedestrian accident case, we may need to work with accident reconstructionists or medical experts. In any event, we will work with the most respected and reliable experts in Texas to support your case.
- We negotiate on your behalf. When you hire a personal injury attorney, you want one that can negotiate from a place of authority and experience. If you are still in the process of choosing your pedestrian accident lawyer, you should consider the experience level of any attorney you are considering.
When accidents involve pedestrians, disabling and catastrophic injuries can occur. No matter what stage of recovery you are in, it is recommended that you establish an attorney-client relationship as soon as possible.
To get started today with a free consultation, contact Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers in Houston, Texas. We will launch a thorough investigation and reach out to our network of Texas experts to work with us on your case. There’s nothing to lose, so contact us today.
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Houston, Texas?
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 660 pedestrians were killed and over 2,000 pedestrians were injured in 2019 in Texas alone. Projections show that an expected 2,000 additional injuries were likely, but not reported, that same year.
According to statistics, in 2019, drivers in Texas were involved in a total of nearly 8,500 crashes with pedestrians and cyclists. Since pedestrians and cyclists are much more vulnerable than drivers or passengers on the road in a car or truck, any one of those 8,500 crashes could lead to severe injury or even death.
What is My Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
The worth of any personal injury claim, pedestrian accident cases included, depends on the facts of the accident and injury involved in that case. Factors unrelated to the facts and circumstances can sometimes influence the worth of a case or the likelihood of settlement, as well.
Does a More Serious Injury Make My Case More Valuable?
While no one ever wants to suffer a more serious injury, the severity of an injury does influence the value of a pedestrian accident case. Painful “hard” injuries, like broken bones, are more likely to lead to higher settlement offers than “soft” injuries like whiplash.
Similarly, severe outcomes like spinal cord injuries are more valuable when they are expected to be long-term or permanent conditions.
If a patient is expected to fully recover from an injury, they are still entitled to full recovery of medical expenses and lost wages. However, they can expect lower-value offers for pain and suffering or emotional distress.
One benchmark for the severity and worth of injuries is the level of disruption in the injured victim’s life. Significant disruptions to major life activities, like bathing, eating, or getting dressed, are likely to lead to higher settlement or jury verdicts than minor disruptions.
The nature of the injured pedestrian’s treatment and the length of recovery can impact the value of a pedestrian accident case as well. Obviously, victims who are required to undertake more aggressive treatment, attend more doctor’s appointments, or spend more time in physical rehabilitation are likely to rack up significant medical bills.
What Outside Factors Can Influence a Pedestrian Accident Case?
It’s no secret that scandalous accidents involving influential politicians or socialites, especially if drunk driving is involved, are often settled quickly and quietly. Since many of those cases include confidentiality agreements, it’s not as obvious that these cases can be more valuable. When someone wants to keep down the risk of controversy, they may be willing to pay more.
When an insurance company is involved, as anyone who has dealt with an insurance company will know, the value of a settlement offer may take into account business decisions. While an insurance company is highly unlikely to admit liability in settlement stages, if the certainty of liability is higher, from a business standpoint, they are more likely to agree to settle.
Similarly, insurance companies will consider the potential litigation costs involved. This is one area in which Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers can bring the strength of an advantage to your case. Insurance companies across Texas know we have the financial security to take our cases to trial if needed. When an insurance company figures they will spend lots of money in litigation fighting a valid claim, they are more likely to offer higher settlement values.
What Types of Compensation Can Houston Pedestrian Accident Victims Recover?
In Texas, injured pedestrians can be compensated for two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Damages are awarded in an attempt to make the victim “whole,” or put them back in the position they were in before the accident occurred.
Economic damages can be counted and their values can be easily assigned. Non-economic damages are not as easy to value, but they can be worth just as much.
What Are Economic Damages?
Economic damages are intended to compensate a pedestrian accident victim for actual dollars lost as a result of their injury.
Economic damages are attributable to:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Prescription medication
Damages of this type can be demonstrated by payroll and tax documents as well as medical records.
What Are Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are not so easily quantified.
Some categories of non-economic damages 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 damages must be established, as well.
What Are Punitive Damages?
In some extenuating circumstances, punitive damages may be available. Unlike regular damages, punitive damages are not meant to make a person whole but to punish the person who injured them. In cases involving gross negligence, punitive damages may be awarded.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I’m Getting Blamed For My Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Texas?
If you are being blamed by the at-fault driver in your car-pedestrian accident, you may still be able to recover compensation for your injuries, even if you are found to be partially at-fault.
Texas follows the law of “comparative fault.” If a person is less than 51% at fault for the accident that caused their injuries, comparative fault allows them to recover compensation from another at-fault party.
If you are more than 51% at-fault, you cannot recover compensation from the other at-fault parties. The experienced and knowledgeable team at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers knows the importance of minimizing our client’s fault in pedestrian accident cases. Even if you think you may be partly at fault for the accident that caused your injuries, contact our office today to discuss your options.
We Will Fight to Recover Full Compensation for All of Your Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Cars weigh several thousand pounds and pedestrians, at most, weigh a couple of hundred pounds. While drivers are protected by steel cages and sheet metal, windshields, and bumpers, pedestrians are vulnerable. When you have suffered a pedestrian accident, we fight our hardest to get you the full compensation you deserve.
Some unfortunate injuries common to auto-pedestrian accidents include:
When a car strikes a pedestrian, the severity of injuries can be significant. Concussions are not uncommon and serious traumatic brain injury can result, as well.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Following an accident with injury in Texas, an injured person has up to two (2) years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. After the expiration of this two-year statute of limitations, an injured pedestrian may forever lose their right to recover compensation.
Contact Our Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one was injured after being hit by a car while walking as a pedestrian, contact the experienced Houston pedestrian accident attorneys at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers. We offer free consultations and there’s no obligation. Reach out to our office today.
