Hurt in a Pedestrian Accident?
Our personal injury attorneys fight for the compensation you deserve
People go out walking every day, in Houston and throughout Texas, but it only takes one negligent driver to cause a car accident that leaves pedestrians hurt. Injured pedestrians deserve financial compensation, but it can be a complicated process. Smith & Hassler fight for their rights.
Pedestrians struck by cars or trucks face a high potential for serious injury or even death. Pedestrians have the right of way under most conditions. It is important to remember that both the driver and the pedestrian have a responsibility to be cautious around each other, however.
Pedestrian responsibilities include:
- Walking in crosswalks
- Crossing the street only with the walk signal
- Avoiding interrupting the flow of traffic by darting out into the street
Driver responsibilities include:
- Obeying speed limits
- Using turn signals
- Paying attention to road conditions
- Yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks
When children are pedestrians, the motorist carries a greater responsibility. Children’s actions are usually less predictable than an adult's, making it more important for drivers to be more cautious around children.
What should I do if I’m hurt in a pedestrian accident?
Immediately after a pedestrian accident, it’s important to focus on your safety and wellbeing. Call 911 if you need immediate medical help. You should also call the police, so an officer can assess the accident scene and create a police report.
If you’re not severely injured, you can start building your case by taking pictures of the accident scene and gathering witness information. You should also exchange contact and insurance information with the driver who hit you.
Even if you feel fine, get medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries don’t appear immediately, especially whiplash, soft tissue injuries, concussions, and internal injuries. A medical evaluation may reveal an injury that you’re not aware of and a doctor can begin treatment before your condition worsens. Plus, getting a prompt diagnosis creates a link between your injury and your pedestrian accident.
If you have car insurance, you should report your accident to your insurance company. Be cautious about what you say. Don’t admit fault or make statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault. Once you’ve notified your insurance company, speak to an experienced Houston pedestrian accident lawyer at Smith & Hassler. We can inform you of your rights and which steps to take next.
I was hit by a car. How much money will I get for my pedestrian injury claim?
Each injury claim is unique and depends on the specific circumstances of your pedestrian accident. Under most circumstances, pedestrians have the right of way. Both the pedestrian and driver need to be cautious of each other, however.
Because pedestrians have no protection in a crash, their injuries can be serious. They can suffer broken bones and injuries to the head, neck or back. They may need surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and medication. Recovery may take months or even longer. Some are left with a permanent disability.
If a negligent driver hit you while you were walking, you deserve financial compensation. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to your injuries. It includes compensation for lost wages if you missed time from work. We may also seek other compensation for other damages you suffered, such as pain and suffering. Our lawyers will help you determine the value of your claim and fight for fair pedestrian injury compensation.
"I was hit by a car called Smith and Hassler and explained all that had happened to me and that I didn't have insurance and I was a pedestrian they handled everything. This was my first experience with having to seek legal help and it was not an unplesant experience. Thanks to Smith and Hassler and my attorney Brian Stansell all my expenses were taken care of. I don't expect to have need of an attorney for something like this in the future but if a family member, friend or myself need help this is where we will come." — Audrey
How long does it take to settle a pedestrian accident claim?
There is no fixed time you can expect for your pedestrian accident claim to be settled. It often depends on the severity of your injuries, the speed of insurance companies involved, the negotiation process, and whether liability is clear and uncontested.
Settlements often aren’t finalized until injured pedestrians reach maximum medical improvement. This means their condition has stabilized enough to assess total medical costs and other damages.
I was hit by a car. Do I need a lawyer?
A negligent driver may have been speeding, texting, or operating recklessly, but negligent drivers often deny doing anything wrong. Insurance companies will try to limit your compensation because it helps protect their profits.
If you were hit by a car, you have a lot of questions. You may be seriously injured. You may not know what to do. You may not know where to begin. Our experienced legal team can investigate your car accident. We know where to look for evidence of negligence and determine who’s responsible for your accident and your injuries. We build a strong legal case and negotiate with the driver’s insurance company for a settlement that meets your needs. If they won’t negotiate, we’ll be ready to fight for you in court.
Our firm has been helping the injured in Houston and throughout Texas since 1989. We’ve earned a reputation as a successful law firm that gets results. Smith & Hassler was founded with the goal of setting the standard for what a law firm should be. We’ve come a long way but have never stopped fighting for our clients.
Learn more about how we can help you with your pedestrian accident case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Houston car accident lawyers. We’ll review the details of your accident, go over your legal options and answer any questions that you have.