Pedestrian Accident and How the Laws Apply

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Approximately 5,000 pedestrians are killed, while another 78,000 are injured every year. Nearly fifty percent of the pedestrian accidents that result in death occur between the hours of 3pm-4pm. That may be a little puzzling, why that time? Unfortunately that is the time when most schools are letting their students out, and pedestrian accident rates are high when involving children. Children between the ages of five and nine have the greatest risk to be struck by a vehicle. This is because children are smaller, less visible, and have unpredictable actions; they are much more likely to dart out in front of a car. Houston is a huge city and pedestrians are hit on a regular basis. If you or a loved one is a victim of a pedestrian accident in the state of Texas, contact a Houston pedestrian accident lawyer who will explain your legal options for recovery.

In most cases with a pedestrian accident it is the driver’s fault. Common sense would tell us that as well; that the person at fault is the one who is not injured. There can be many causes of pedestrian accidents where the driver is at fault such as: disregarding a stop walk, disregarding traffic signs, speeding, driving while under the influence, being distracted, and passing a school bus. In some states it is even a state law that one must yield to cross walks, however as you can imagine that is a law which is often broken. We are usually quick to blame the driver, but that might not always be the case. There are some circumstances where the pedestrian is at fault such as: ignoring traffic controls, jay walking, darting out in front of a vehicle, or walking on limited highways access. The human body doesn’t stand a chance against several thousands of pounds of metal and glass traveling at high speeds. Due to the very serious nature of injuries involved in these types of accidents, the insurance company for the defendant will most likely immediately dispatch a team of lawyers, insurance agents, investigators etc. to limit their pay out. Level the playing field by working with an experienced Houston pedestrian accident lawyer.

It is a must for pedestrians to be careful around traffic, however they may not be at fault at all. Pedestrian injuries can include: broken or fractured bones, permanent disability, temporary incapacitation, head injuries, brain damage, mental distress or damage, and even death. Most pedestrian accident victims can seek legal claims and be very successful.

The numbers of pedestrian injuries are higher in urban areas, simply because there is a higher concentration of people. There are higher ratios of pedestrian death to injuries in rural areas due to higher posted speeds. Most accidents do not occur at intersections, they occur when a driver is not expecting a pedestrian and do not anticipate stopping. Drivers need to take extra caution when in highly populated areas, or school zones, because the potential for pedestrian accidents are much higher.