Houston Pedestrian Crosswalk Accident Lawyers Who Mean Business
Fighting for injured pedestrians across Houston and southeast Texas
Crosswalks are supposed to protect pedestrians, not endanger them. Yet every day, people in Houston are hit while crossing legally at intersections, marked crosswalks, and even school zones. These pedestrian accidents often happen because drivers are impatient, distracted, or careless, not because the pedestrian did anything wrong.
For more than 30 years, Smith & Hassler has fought for injured Texans who were hit while walking. Our Houston pedestrian accident lawyers know how devastating these collisions can be, and we fight to hold negligent drivers fully accountable. Whether the crash happened downtown, in Midtown, near the Galleria, or along Westheimer, we’re ready to demand justice and maximum compensation for you.
If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a Texas crosswalk accident, contact us today for a free consultation. You’ll get answers to your legal questions and learn how to protect your right to maximum compensation.
FAQs about Houston Crosswalk Accidents
- Where do pedestrian crosswalk accidents happen most frequently in Houston?
- Why do crosswalk accidents happen?
- What are the crosswalk laws in Houston and throughout Texas?
- Who is liable for a Houston crosswalk accident?
- What should I do immediately after being hit in a crosswalk?
- What are the most common injuries in pedestrian crosswalk accidents?
- Can I still recover compensation if the driver says I “stepped out suddenly”?
- How do insurance companies try to limit pedestrian accident settlements?
- What damages can I recover after a Houston pedestrian crosswalk accident?
- How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Texas?
- Does Texas law protect pedestrians outside marked crosswalks?
- What evidence helps prove fault in a pedestrian crosswalk accident?
- Are drivers always at fault in Houston crosswalk collisions?
Where do pedestrian crosswalk accidents happen most frequently in Houston?
Houston is one of the most dangerous major cities in America for pedestrians. The majority of crosswalk accidents occur on busy arterials and high-traffic intersections where vehicles move fast and visibility is low. Common danger zones include:
- Downtown and Midtown intersections such as Main Street, Bagby Street, and West Gray Street, where foot and vehicle traffic mix constantly.
- Galleria and Uptown Houston, particularly along Westheimer Road, San Felipe Street, and Post Oak Boulevard.
- Highways and feeder roads, including I-45, U.S. 59, and Beltway 8, where drivers often fail to yield when exiting ramps.
- Neighborhood school zones and residential streets, where speeding and distracted driving put children and families at risk.
- Suburban communities, including Pasadena, Sugar Land, Katy, Spring, and The Woodlands, where expanding development has increased pedestrian traffic without improving safety.
These locations share one common factor: drivers who ignore pedestrian right-of-way laws. When a pedestrian steps into a crosswalk, the driver is legally required to yield every time.
Why do crosswalk accidents happen?
Crosswalk crashes almost always trace back to driver negligence. Even with flashing lights and painted lanes, many motorists fail to slow down, stop, or even look for pedestrians. Some of the most frequent causes include:
- Speeding through intersections or running red lights
- Texting or using a phone while driving
- Failing to yield or stop at marked crosswalks
- Turning without checking for pedestrians
- Impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs
- Poor visibility caused by darkness, rain, or glare
These accidents are entirely preventable. A driver who chooses to rush through a crosswalk or look away from the road is responsible for the harm that follows. Smith & Hassler’s attorneys know how to prove fault through evidence such as intersection cameras, skid-mark analysis, and witness statements, leaving no room for insurers to shift blame onto the victim.
What are the crosswalk laws in Houston and throughout Texas?
Texas Transportation Codes make it clear: drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no traffic signal. The law also requires drivers approaching a pedestrian to exercise due care, slow down, and take any action necessary to avoid a collision.
Houston’s municipal ordinances go further by prohibiting drivers from blocking crosswalks when stopped at red lights or turning into a crosswalk when pedestrians are present. Similar local laws apply in surrounding communities like Pasadena, Baytown, and Sugar Land. Ignoring these rules is not only illegal but considered evidence of negligence in a civil claim.
Pedestrians are never at fault for being hit in a crosswalk. Even if a driver claims the pedestrian “came out of nowhere,” the law still holds motorists responsible for watching the road, obeying signals, and keeping a proper lookout.
Who is liable for a Houston crosswalk accident?
Liability for pedestrian crosswalk crashes usually rests with the driver. However, in some cases, multiple parties share responsibility, including:
- Negligent drivers who failed to yield or were speeding or distracted.
- Employers or commercial vehicle owners if the driver was on duty at the time of the crash.
- Government entities if poor lighting, missing signage, or malfunctioning signals contributed to the collision.
Our legal team investigates every detail of the crash, from traffic signal timing to dash-cam data, to identify every liable party. Holding the correct defendants accountable can significantly increase the available compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care.
What should I do immediately after being hit in a crosswalk?
The moments after a pedestrian accident are chaotic, but the steps you take right away can protect your health and your right to compensation. Even if you feel able to stand or walk, injuries like concussions or internal trauma can worsen quickly. The following steps can help preserve evidence and strengthen your future claim.
- Call 911: Report the accident to Houston police and request medical assistance immediately.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the vehicle, crosswalk, street signs, and any traffic signals at intersections like Westheimer Road, Richmond Avenue, or FM 1960.
- Get driver and witness information: Names, contact details, and insurance information are essential for liability claims.
- Seek medical evaluation: Visit a hospital such as Memorial Hermann or Houston Methodist even if your injuries seem minor.
- Contact a lawyer before insurers: Insurance adjusters often contact victims quickly to minimize payouts. Legal representation ensures your statement is protected.
These steps create the foundation for a strong case and help an attorney pursue the full value of your claim.
What are the most common injuries in pedestrian crosswalk accidents?
Pedestrians lack protection against vehicles, so even low-speed crashes can cause severe and lasting harm. Common injuries often require months of recovery and extensive medical care. Recognizing the types of injuries common to crosswalk crashes can help establish the full extent of your damages.
- Head and brain injuries: Concussions, skull fractures, and TBIs are common when victims are thrown to the pavement.
- Spinal cord injuries: Impacts from larger vehicles often cause nerve damage or paralysis.
- Broken bones: Fractures to the legs, hips, or pelvis frequently occur when pedestrians are struck at intersections.
- Internal bleeding: Blunt force trauma can cause life-threatening internal injuries that are not immediately visible.
- Soft tissue injuries: Torn ligaments, whiplash, and deep bruising can cause chronic pain and reduced mobility.
Each injury contributes to medical costs, time off work, and long-term suffering. An attorney can ensure that every aspect of your physical and emotional recovery is reflected in your settlement.
Can I still recover compensation if the driver says I “stepped out suddenly”?
Yes. Drivers in Houston are required under Texas Transportation Codes to exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians, even if the person steps into the road unexpectedly. Insurance companies often use the “stepped out suddenly” excuse to shift blame after crashes near high-traffic areas like Westheimer Road, FM 1960, or Bellaire Boulevard. A lawyer can gather traffic camera footage, witness statements, and vehicle data to prove the driver failed to yield or was speeding, securing the compensation you deserve.
How do insurance companies try to limit pedestrian accident settlements?
Insurers routinely downplay injuries and shift blame to pedestrians to reduce payouts. They may claim you weren’t in a marked crosswalk, were distracted, or contributed to your own injuries. This is common after downtown Houston and Galleria-area crashes where visibility and signage can be disputed. An experienced attorney can push back against these tactics by using medical documentation, expert reconstruction, and local traffic law to prove the driver’s full liability.
What damages can I recover after a Houston pedestrian crosswalk accident?
Compensation after a pedestrian accident should reflect both immediate and future costs. Many victims underestimate the long-term effects of their injuries and accept settlements that do not account for ongoing care or lost quality of life. In Texas, damages may include both economic and non-economic losses such as the following.
- Medical expenses: Hospitalization, surgery, medication, and future treatment needs.
- Lost income: Wages missed during recovery and reduced earning potential if injuries limit work ability.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and trauma from being struck by a vehicle.
- Disfigurement and disability: Compensation for visible scars or permanent impairment.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: The inability to participate in daily activities or hobbies.
Calculating these damages requires detailed documentation and expert input. A lawyer can work with medical and financial professionals to ensure your claim reflects the true impact of the accident.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Texas?
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation, regardless of how strong your case is. This statute of limitations applies whether your crash happened on Main Street in downtown Houston, along Beltway 8, or in nearby suburbs like Pasadena or Sugar Land. An attorney ensures all legal deadlines are met and preserves key evidence before it disappears.
Does Texas law protect pedestrians outside marked crosswalks?
Yes. While drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks, they also have a general duty of care anywhere a pedestrian is lawfully crossing or present on the roadway. Many serious crashes occur near bus stops or parking lots along Westpark Drive and Highway 6, where crosswalks aren’t clearly marked. Even outside designated zones, a lawyer can argue that the driver should have seen and avoided the pedestrian under Texas negligence laws.
What evidence helps prove fault in a pedestrian crosswalk accident?
Proving that a driver was negligent requires strong evidence showing how the crash occurred. In busy Houston intersections where multiple cameras and witnesses may be present, early investigation makes a significant difference. The following evidence types often play a key role in establishing liability.
- Police reports: Official documentation from HPD or Harris County deputies includes details on driver behavior, citations, and statements.
- Traffic camera or dashcam footage: Many intersections like Westheimer at Shepherd or Bissonnet at Chimney Rock have nearby surveillance cameras.
- Witness statements: Neutral third parties can confirm whether the pedestrian had the walk signal or right-of-way.
- Accident reconstruction: Experts can analyze skid marks, impact points, and vehicle damage to determine fault.
- Medical records: Establish a direct link between the accident and your injuries.
Evidence can fade quickly as footage is deleted and witnesses move on. Working with an attorney ensures that all proof is collected, preserved, and used effectively to demand justice and full compensation.
Are drivers always at fault in Houston crosswalk collisions?
In most cases, yes. Texas law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. However, insurance companies may still argue shared fault if they believe the pedestrian crossed improperly or outside the signal. An attorney can review local surveillance footage, traffic light timing, and witness statements to show the driver’s negligence, such as speeding or distraction, was the true cause of the crash.
Your road to recovery starts here
Smith & Hassler has recovered more than $1 billion for injured Texans, including pedestrians who were struck in Houston crosswalks. We know how insurance companies try to downplay these cases, and we have the experience, resources, and determination to make them pay full value.
If you or a loved one was hit while walking in a Houston or Southeast Texas crosswalk, contact Smith & Hassler for a free consultation. You pay no fee unless we win your case. We’ll handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.