Corpus Christi, TX Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Walking is the most basic form of transportation. At some point during the day, nearly all of us are pedestrians. While vehicles are getting safer, people on foot remain just as vulnerable to serious or fatal injuries if struck by a car or truck. Unfortunately, pedestrians represent an increasing portion of the total traffic accident injuries and deaths.

Corpus Christi Roads Prove Dangerous for Pedestrians

No one expects to get hit by a car while walking. We learn while very young to look both ways and to cross the street with the lights. But highways in Corpus Christi have grown wider and intersections busier.

Half of the fatal traffic accidents that occurred in Corpus Christi in 2018 involved a person trying to cross a roadway or intersection on foot, according to Corpus Christi Police Department data published by the Caller Times.

Across Texas, 621 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2018, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) says.

The problem of pedestrian accidents continues, with a 36-year-old pedestrian left in critical condition in May 2019, a man in his 30s struck and killed by an intoxicated driver in November, and a 60-year-old man found dead on the side of the road after a hit-and-run on January 15, 2020, to cite a few incidents.

At Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our compassionate Corpus Christi injury attorneys help pedestrians who have been hurt in automobile accidents and the families of pedestrians who have been killed. We have seen the trauma that negligent drivers cause the people they hit and the grieving families of those killed.

As experienced Corpus Christi personal injury lawyers, we help victims of pedestrian accidents hold negligent drivers accountable and pursue compensation for their losses.

What Are the Most Dangerous Corpus Christi Roads for Pedestrians?

The Caller Times used Corpus Christi Police Department data to identify the Corpus Christi roads that were the scenes of the most pedestrian crashes in 2016-2018. The newspaper said more people were hit by cars on South Padre Island Drive than any other road in Corpus Christi during those three years.

Police reports indicate that 26 pedestrians were hit by motor vehicles on South Padre Island Drive, the access road to TX Highway 358. Two pedestrians were killed.

Other dangerous roads in Corpus Christi listed in the report were:

TX Highway 358. 15 pedestrian crashes with 5 deaths
Ayers Street. 24 pedestrian crashes with 2 deaths
Staples Street. 24 pedestrian crashes with 2 deaths
Leopard Street. 21 pedestrian crashes with 2 deaths.

Corpus Christi Police Capt. Russell Sherman said pedestrians are least likely to survive being hit by a motor vehicle on a high-speed roadway. Speed limits on TX 358 reach up to 65 mph, for example. Sherman said people on foot should never try to cross a freeway because it is hard to judge the speed of a vehicle travelling at high speed.

In one of the fatal pedestrian collisions in 2018, the person was using a crosswalk. The others were attempting to cross the road without using a crosswalk.

Texas Law and Pedestrians

Corpus Christi does not have a local ordinance barring jaywalking; city ordinance §53-15 addresses how motorists should pass pedestrians and bicyclists using local roads.

Texas law requires vehicles to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Pedestrians are to obey “walk,” “don’t walk” and “wait” signals if present or cross only when there is a green traffic signal for their direction if at a controlled intersection.

The law says, “A pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle on the highway if crossing a roadway at a place other than in a marked crosswalk or in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”

The law also says a pedestrian may not suddenly enter a crosswalk when a vehicle is approaching and is so close that it is impossible for the vehicle operator to yield.

However, the law also admonishes drivers to:

Exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian on a roadway
Give warning by sounding the horn when necessary
Exercise proper precaution upon observing a child or an obviously confused or incapacitated person on a roadway.

In the end, it is up to everyone on the road to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents in Corpus Christi and throughout Texas.

Tips for Pedestrian Safety To Avoid Being Hit by a Car

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers 10 tips for staying safe along and while crossing roads and highways:

Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
Walk on sidewalks when they are available.
If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
Keep alert at all times. Don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure they see you.
Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials or carry a flashlight at night.
Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots. Assume that they do not see you.
Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.

Contact a Corpus Christi Pedestrian Accident Law Firm

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident in Corpus Christi or anywhere in South Texas, you should seek the help of an experienced pedestrian injury lawyer. A pedestrian accident that is not fatal can result in a lengthy recovery during which the individual is unable to work while medical bills and other expenses continue to mount.

A pedestrian accident lawyer at Herrman & Herrman can provide a free, no-obligation review of the facts of your case and explain your legal rights. If you have a valid pedestrian accident claim, we can seek full compensation for your injuries and other losses. We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency basis, so you do not have any upfront costs. Contact us now for aggressive legal representation.

At Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our compassionate attorneys help pedestrians who have been hurt in automobile accidents caused by motor vehicle drivers. Our pedestrian injury attorneys will review the details of the accident and discuss your legal options during a free consultation.

Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. is a highly regarded local law firm with more than 100 years of combined legal experience.

We have served thousands of people in Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston, Ft. Worth and across the Rio Grande Valley. If we accept your pedestrian accident case, we will handle it on a contingency fee arrangement so that you will not owe any upfront costs.

Whether your pedestrian accident was caused by a drunk driver, a distracted driver, a driver who was speeding or breaking traffic laws, or someone who simply failed to exercise caution, you can count on our experienced pedestrian accident lawyer to be dedicated to advocates for you. Call Herrman & Herrman P.L.L.C. to obtain a free review of your case.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can happen at any time and anywhere. They represented nearly one of every five traffic fatalities in Texas in 2016. A total of 678 pedestrians died in traffic accidents in Texas in 2016. That represents a 21.5% increase compared to the previous year.

Motorists should always be on the lookout for people on foot. Many accidents occur because drivers are not looking for pedestrians and fail to see them crossing the street, entering an intersection crosswalk, or walking along the road. The common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

Speeding—There is a strong relation between vehicle impact speed and the severity of pedestrian injuries. An estimated 5 percent of pedestrians will sustain fatal injuries when struck by vehicles traveling 20 miles per hour or less. By comparison, 40 percent of pedestrians will be killed if hit by a car traveling 30 miles per hour and 80 percent will be fatally injured by a vehicle traveling 40 miles per hour, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Failure to Yield— Drivers in Texas are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in a number of situations. Drivers must give the right-of-way to pedestrians at an intersection that does not have traffic signs or signals. Drivers must yield if the pedestrian has a WALK signal or on a green light if there is not a pedestrian crossing signal. Drivers pulling out of driveways, alleys or private roads should yield to pedestrians on sidewalks.

Drivers should look out for yellow signs indicating areas where large numbers of pedestrians cross the street and slow down. Motorists should be alert for any blind or partially blind pedestrians guided by a service dog or using a white cane. When a driver fails to yield, a pedestrian may be seriously or fatally injured.

Distraction—Distraction is a factor in many pedestrian accidents. A driver who is preoccupied with a cell phone, food, cigarettes, the radio, a navigation system or talking with passengers poses a danger to pedestrians and other motorists. A distracted driver is more likely to fail to see a pedestrian and cause an accident.

icon of alcohol to represent drinking and driving

Alcohol—Texas has among the highest number of drunk driving accidents in the nation, and alcohol is a contributing factor to many pedestrian accidents. Fifteen percent of pedestrians struck and fatally injured are hit by drunk drivers, according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Commission, while a third of pedestrians who are killed are legally intoxicated. Some pedestrians under the influence of alcohol walk in the road or even sit or lie down in the road.

icon of a moon to represent lack of visibility while driving

Lack of Visibility—About three fourths of fatal pedestrian accidents occurred in the dark, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Pedestrians are more difficult for drivers to see at night, particularly if the person on foot is wearing dark clothing.

Common Injuries in Pedestrian Crashes

pedestrian accidents A pedestrian accident is more likely to involve severe injuries. The impact of being struck by a vehicle can cause trauma to the head, legs, pelvis, and torn ligaments in the knee. The seriousness of the pedestrian’s injuries depends on a number of factors including the vehicle speed, the angle of impact, and the body part first struck.

In pedestrian crashes involving adults, the vehicle will typically hit the legs of the individual on foot, causing the person’s legs to be pushed forward and the upper body and head to hit the car windshield or hood. At higher speeds, the pedestrian may be tossed into the air onto the car hood or thrown onto the ground, causing secondary impacts.

The most common injuries in pedestrian accidents involving children are traumatic brain injuries and musculoskeletal injuries frequently involving muscles and ligaments in the upper and lower legs, which can cause long-term disabilities.

A pedestrian accident can involve a lengthy recovery and leave a person unable to work for months and facing sizable medical bills. Serious injuries may leave an accident victim unable to return to work.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident in Corpus Christi or anywhere in Texas, you should seek the help of an experienced injury lawyer.

What to Do If You Are Hit by a Car While on Foot

The following steps are important to take to protect your rights after a pedestrian accident caused by a motorist:

Medical Treatment—If you did not need emergency medical care after being injured in a pedestrian accident, you should still see a doctor and have a medical evaluation. If you were struck by a car traveling at low speed, you may not feel injured immediately afterward. But you may be very sore the next day. It’s important to be evaluated by a doctor to be screened for injuries. Some potentially serious injuries such as concussions may not be readily apparent. A doctor’s evaluation describing your injuries will be useful if you need to pursue a pedestrian accident injury claim.

Call Police—If you were struck by a car, summon the police to the scene of the accident if you are able or have someone else report the accident to police. Do not let a driver talk you out of calling the police, even if the driver promises to pay your damages out of pocket. A police accident report describes how the pedestrian accident occurred and offers an official record. The law enforcement officer may make a determination of fault in the accident and cite the driver for failure to yield or another traffic violation. A police accident report can serve as a starting point for an attorney’s investigation of your pedestrian accident. Without a police report, it will be your word against the driver’s word.

Obtain Motorist’s Insurance Information—Obtain the insurance and registration information of the driver who hit you or have someone else do so. The insurance company representing the at-fault driver may try to contact you. You should not give any statements to the other driver’s insurance company or discuss your injuries with the insurance adjuster until you have sought the guidance of a personal injury lawyer. An insurance company may twist any statements you make to minimize or deny your claim for compensation.

Consider Your Legal Options—You should schedule a free consultation with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney at Herrman & Herrman. If you have serious injuries, it is very important to have an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer review your accident and discuss your legal options. You may face significant medical debt as a result of your injuries. Our aggressive attorneys will fight for your rights to be compensated fully for your hospital bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, pain and suffering resulting from a driver’s negligence.

Contact Our Corpus Christi, TX Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Call Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. to schedule an appointment with an experienced personal injury lawyer and receive an explanation of your legal options after a spinal cord injury caused by another person’s negligence. There is no charge for the consultation.

Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth , TX.

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