Trust Guss

Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

When drivers act negligently, they risk hurting others, including pedestrians. When thinking about traffic accidents, we often consider vehicle collisions, but we should never discount the dangers of a negligent driver crashing into someone walking. Pedestrians can suffer multiple traumatic and life-changing injuries in these accidents, and if this happens to you, always learn about your legal rights.

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Overview of the Stewart J. Guss Firm

Were You Injured in a Pedestrian Accident in Houston?

At the law firm of Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, we represent injured pedestrians and see firsthand the devastating injuries and losses they suffer. If you have injuries because a driver hit you, reach out to our Houston pedestrian accident attorneys today to discuss your options for compensation. We fight for the rights of accident victims every day, and we want to help you.

We are a national law firm based in Texas with multiple offices around the country. We also work with affiliate law firms in most states that share our focus and dedication to excellence. No matter where you are located, we may be able to help you, so call or contact us now. We receive calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week or you may contact us online by clicking here to submit your case for review.

Why Choose Our Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyers?

Stewart Guss and his team believe in respect, integrity, and family values
Our attorneys and staff will always be there for you!
With decades of combined experience, Stewart and his team will work tirelessly to recover as much as possible on your claim. Auto and pedestrian cases can be complex and involve serious injuries, so you need an experienced Houston attorney on your side
You won't pay us anything unless we win your case!

Choose a Houston Pedestrian Accident Attorney with Strength and Experience

If you sustain pedestrian accident injuries because you are hit by a car or other vehicle while walking on a street, sidewalk, or parking lot, you have important legal rights. It is important, however, that you take certain steps to preserve your rights and assert your claims for injury.

For these reasons, if you are ever injured when struck by a car, it is particularly important that you hire an effective and experienced Houston auto-pedestrian attorney to protect your rights. Stewart Guss has the experience, skills, and dedication to vigorously pursue your rights in the unfortunate event of an accident involving pedestrian accident injuries.

If you've been injured in an auto-pedestrian accident, call Attorney Guss and talk about it. Do not sign anything until you speak with us because you risk losing some or all of the compensation that is due to you.

How a Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help

While you are recovering from your injuries, the last thing you want to do is battle with the insurance companies about the compensation you know you deserve. The insurance companies should not force you to jump through hoops to receive compensation for an accident their policyholder caused.

Before you put yourself in the line of fire with insurance companies, speak with a Houston pedestrian accident lawyer. Our pedestrian accident lawyers can assist you with every step of your case and prevent many of the insurance companies' tricks before they can implement them.

Offering you a client-first approach

Unlike many other pedestrian accident lawyers, our lawyers always prioritize your needs. We ensure that we openly communicate with you and make it easy for you to stay in contact with us. We can guarantee that someone will respond promptly if you reach out to us with a question. We also pledge not to make any decisions about your case without your blessing and will keep you updated on all changes throughout the process.

Evaluating the worth of your claim

Another benefit our Houston pedestrian accident lawyers bring to your case is the ability to assess your claim correctly. One of the mistakes that you want to avoid is asking the insurance companies what the worth of your claim will be. Chances are they are lowballing you or not calculating every cost of your damages correctly. Our pedestrian accident attorneys ensure we evaluate all of the damages in your claim properly, including the non-economic damages that are difficult to quantify.

Protecting your legal rights from insurance companies

Having the legal guidance of a pedestrian accident lawyer is similar to a forcefield that repels the tactics of the insurance companies. There are questionable practices that insurance companies will use to receive specific information from you.

For example, many insurance companies request that you release copies of your complete medical history — not just the records from the accident. Insurance adjusters will make this request to use your medical information against you. They often search for any pre-existing conditions you may have and insinuate that your physical injuries result from your prior conditions instead of your accident.

Your pedestrian accident lawyer will ensure you do not need to communicate with insurance adjusters. Instead of explaining yourself to insurance companies or offering information they can use against you, your pedestrian accident lawyer will speak to adjusters and address any inquiries they may have about your accident.

Providing Legal Guidance

We can also advise on what to do or not to do during your claim. Whether or not you know it, insurance adjusters will watch your every move until your case is over. Your pedestrian accident lawyer can advise you on what not to post on your social media platforms or what activities you might limit during your pedestrian accident lawsuit.

Negotiating for more compensation

The insurance company may offer you a quick settlement. In general, never take the first settlement offer by the insurance company and never accept anything without legal advice. The insurance company will always look for a way to lowball you. When an organization that never wants to pay claims wants to offer you a quick settlement, that is always a red flag.

Instead of accepting pennies for your compensation, your pedestrian accident lawyer can negotiate for a more significant settlement on your behalf. Many claimants may not know they can deny the settlement offer the insurance company puts on the table, even when they threaten to walk away. Insurance companies do not want to go to court almost as much as you might not want to. A pedestrian accident knows that and will negotiate from that standpoint against the insurance adjusters.

Providing high-quality legal representation for you

Should your pedestrian accident case progress to litigation or trial, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney is ready to represent you. We are familiar with all procedures and requirements for litigation and can prepare you for each step. By being ready to go to court, we provide additional leverage for you against the insurance companies.

Holding Drivers Liable for Pedestrian Accidents

Because auto-pedestrian accidents are avoidable incidents that can cause significant damage, you have the right to hold negligent drivers responsible for your accident. When each driver obtains their license, they agree to operate their vehicle reasonably and safely. Hurting you or a family member is a violation of that responsibility. In personal injury law, that breach of duty will be grounds for negligence.

Negligence is a legal principle that injured plaintiffs must prove against the defendant in a personal injury case.

You must provide this legal principle through four elements, which include:

Duty - The driver had a duty to abide by traffic laws and drive safely around pedestrians
Breach - The driver failed to meet their duty of care
Causation - The driver’s breach caused your accident and injuries
Damages - You incurred losses due to your accident-related injuries

Our attorneys regularly provide sufficient evidence to prove negligence and liability for pedestrian accidents. We can advise if there is evidence of negligence in your case and will perform a thorough investigation of your injuries, the accident scene, and more to build a robust case for you.

Damages Stemming From Pedestrian Accidents

You can obtain economic or non-economic damages from a pedestrian accident. Economic damages have monetary value, like bills, while non-economic damages are damages that do not have an inherent financial value.

Common damages include:

Medical expenses for past and future care
Past and future lost income
Pain and suffering
Permanent disability or disfigurement

We seek compensation for all the damages you deserve in your pedestrian accident claim.

Battling Insurance Companies

Because the other driver will be responsible for compensating you for your losses, you must go through the driver's insurance company to retrieve your compensation. Many insurance policies cover compensation for all types of Houston car accidents, including accidents with pedestrians.

The issue is that all insurance adjusters will do whatever they can to prevent you from recovering your fair compensation. This activity includes outright blaming you for your accident or attempting to undermine your injuries.

You need a legal representative who will serve as your advocate against stubborn insurance companies that try to deny you the compensation you need.

Houston Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Reports indicate increased pedestrian injuries in Houston and throughout Texas, and one in five traffic accident victims is a pedestrian. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports that 5,366 car accidents involved pedestrians last year. These accidents killed 841 pedestrians and represented a 15 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities. There were also an additional 1,470 pedestrians who received severe injuries in these accidents.

The Most Dangerous Areas for Houston Pedestrian Accidents

Many areas of Houston have dangerous intersections that have higher rates of pedestrian accidents and injuries, including:

Bellaire and South Gessner
Long Point and Gessner
Shepherd and Allen Parkway and Kirby
Fondren and West Bellfort
Bissonnet and Wilcrest
Hawthorne and Spur 527 and Holman
Taylor and Spring and MKT Trail
West and Airline
Patterson and Washington
11th and Nicholson

Whether your accident happens at one of these intersections, in a parking lot, on a sidewalk, or anywhere else, the most important thing is to protect your legal rights and future. First, get the medical attention you need for your injuries. Then, reach out to our legal team for more information about how we might help.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Houston

Driver negligence is the primary cause of pedestrian accidents in Houston. Whether drivers are impatient with someone crossing the street or simply not paying attention, their negligence regularly leads to severe pedestrian injuries.

Speeding

Many drivers speed in residential areas or parking lots where pedestrians are present and on the move. Speeding can still prevent a driver from making a safe stop or reacting to environmental changes, which is particularly risky in school or work zones where people are walking.

Distracted driving

Another common cause of pedestrian accidents is distracted driving, and the most common distraction is using a cell phone. When drivers check their cell phones, even for one second, they can accidentally hit a pedestrian.

Driving while intoxicated

Intoxicated drivers have slower reaction times, less awareness, and fail to make good judgment calls. It is often only a matter before an intoxicated driver hits a pedestrian.

Failing to obey traffic signs

Many drivers are irritated when pedestrians cross busy intersections and streets. Being in a hurry is no excuse to ignore walk signals or right-of-way rules that might lead a driver to hit a pedestrian. These are far from the only causes of pedestrian accidents, as driver negligence can take many forms. Allow our experienced personal injury lawyers to examine what caused your accident and who should be liable for your injuries and losses.

Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Because it is only the pedestrian's body against a vehicle, the pedestrian will likely suffer severe injuries from the accident. Some pedestrians hit a car, the pavement, and other objects, resulting in multiple traumatic injuries.

The most common injuries pedestrian accident victims can sustain are:

Broken bones
Lacerations
Road rash
Traumatic brain injuries
Paralysis from spinal cord injuries
Neck and back injuries
Joint injuries
Crush injuries
Amputations

Many pedestrians require extensive medical treatment for their injuries following a collision. It might take weeks, months, or years to fully recover from your condition, with medical bills constantly piling up. You may never properly recover from your injuries and feel their effects for the rest of your life.

Houston Pedestrian Accident FAQs

Is the driver always at fault for a pedestrian accident?

Not necessarily. While it may seem obvious that the driver who hit you is to blame, other factors might have led them to collide with you. Another driver might make a mistake and cause a chain reaction, leading to your accident. The driver might hit a road defect and lose control, causing them to hit you. Engineers might have improperly timed a traffic signal, confusing drivers about the right-of-way. You always need a lawyer to determine the actual cause of the crash, which may or may not be a single driver.

In Texas, do pedestrians always have the right of way?

It depends on where the pedestrian is traveling and when. Drivers must yield to pedestrians who have a walk signal or use a marked or unmarked crosswalk and travel in the direction of a green light. Drivers should always pay attention to pedestrians, and they cannot simply crash into someone walking even if they might not have the right of way under the circumstances.

Got a Question? Contact the Trust Guss Team

Steward J. Guss - an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Consult a Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

After suffering an injury in a pedestrian accident, you deserve to focus on healing and leave the legal issues in the hands of someone you can trust. At Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, you can trust our Houston pedestrian accident lawyers to handle your claim with care and dedication. Remember that you have just two years from the date of the pedestrian accident to file a claim. This rule gives you a small window to prepare a case in the hopes of acquiring compensation for your injuries. Never delay in seeking legal services for your pedestrian accident claim.

The personal injury lawyers at Trust Guss Injury Lawyers, is nationally recognized for protecting the rights of injured victims for more than 30 years. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, call our office right now for a free consultation! Because we take all of our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a dime unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so call us today or contact us online by clicking here.