Crossing Into Crisis: The Harsh Realities of Catastrophic Pedestrian Accidents and Their Legal Implications

Pedestrian safety should always be a top priority in Texas. When collisions happen, the consequences can be catastrophic. Unfortunately, too many drivers fail to watch out for pedestrians. According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 6,095 pedestrian crashes reported statewide in 2024 alone. At Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, our Houston pedestrian accident attorney puts pedestrian safety first. 

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Texas

Unfortunately, pedestrian collisions happen every day in Texas. These crashes can occur for a wide range of different reasons. With that being said, they tend to share a common key factor: Most pedestrian crashes could have been avoided if only all parties had taken the proper safety precautions. Some of the leading causes of pedestrian crashes in Texas include: 

• Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is dangerous driving. It puts pedestrians at risk. Drivers who text, scroll, or adjust in-vehicle systems often fail to see pedestrians in crosswalks or along road shoulders. Even a moment of inattention can prevent a timely stop.
• Failure to Yield (Especially at Crosswalks): Texas law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. Many serious crashes occur when drivers rush turns or ignore crossing signals. Drivers must obey crosswalks. 
• Speeding/Aggressive Driving: Speeding and aggressive driving are factors in many pedestrian crashes. Higher speeds drastically increase injury severity. A pedestrian struck at highway speed has little chance of avoiding catastrophic trauma.
• Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drug impairment reduce reaction time and depth perception. Nighttime pedestrian fatalities frequently involve intoxicated drivers. Not only is intoxicated driving a crime in Texas, but it can also lead to civil liability in a pedestrian accident claim. 
• Poor Visibility: Low lighting, rain, and construction zones increase risk when drivers fail to slow down or maintain a proper lookout. There may be parties other than the driver that bear legal responsibility for this type of pedestrian crash in Texas. 

Harsh Reality: Pedestrian Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

Pedestrians are vulnerable. Even a relatively low-speed crash could cause a serious pedestrian accident injury. Indeed, pedestrian accidents can lead to life-altering trauma. Some of the most common serious pedestrian accident injuries in Texas include: 

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Head impact with a vehicle or pavement can cause permanent cognitive impairment, memory loss, or personality changes. When they are at their most severe, TBIs may require lifelong care.
• Spinal Cord Damage: Damage to the spinal column may result in partial or complete paralysis. The medical and economic consequences extend far beyond initial hospitalization. All spinal cord injuries are catastrophic injuries. 
• Crush Injuries and Internal Organ Damage: Vehicles frequently pin pedestrians against other objects. Internal bleeding and organ failure may not appear immediately, but can prove fatal. Immediate emergency medical attention is a must. 
• Complex Fractures: Multiple fractures often require surgical fixation and prolonged rehabilitation. Many injured victims never regain full mobility.
• Amputations (Loss of Limb): Severe lower-extremity trauma can require surgical amputation. Permanent scarring and disfigurement also carry a significant psychological impact. Pedestrians who require amputation need all available support services. 

Texas Is a Fault-Based Pedestrian Accident State

In Texas, car accident liability is based on fault. Notably, that applies to all types of motor vehicle accident claims, including pedestrian collisions. A driver is not automatically at fault for a crash with a pedestrian. Other parties, potentially even the injured pedestrian himself or herself, could bear full or partial liability. Every pedestrian crash should be thoroughly investigated by a lawyer. 

Notably, Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. An injured pedestrian may recover damages only if their percentage of fault does not exceed 50 percent. Any assigned fault reduces the recoverable compensation proportionally. Insurance companies aggressively use this rule to shift blame onto pedestrians by alleging jaywalking, inattentiveness, or improper crossing.

Here is an example of how the system works: Imagine that you were hit by a car in Houston. Your total damages are $30,000. If you are found to be 0 percent liable for your crash, you can pursue the full $30,000 in damages. However, if you are found 20 percent responsible for your own accident due to jaywalking, you would be liable for 20 percent of your own damages ($6,000). 

Injured Pedestrians Deserve the Maximum Financial Compensation

Did you or your loved one suffer a serious injury in a pedestrian accident in Houston or elsewhere in Southeast Texas? You have the right to seek compensation for the full and complete value of your damages. Do not rely on any insurance company to willingly step up and offer a settlement that covers all of your damages. They want to pay out less. Our Houston, TX pedestrian accident lawyer can help. Along with other damages, we are here to help you seek financial compensation for: 

• Ambulance costs; 
• Emergency room care;
• Hospital bills; 
• Other medical expenses; 
• Physical therapy; 
• Mental health support; 
• Lost wages; 
• Loss of future earnings; 
• Pain and suffering; 
• Disability; 
• Reduced quality of life; and
• Wrongful death. 

We Help Injured Pedestrians Get Justice and the Maximum Compensation

A pedestrian collision can leave a victim with severe, even life-altering injuries. That is a harsh reality that must be addressed. Injured pedestrians need justice, accountability, and the absolute maximum possible financial compensation after a serious crash. At Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, we are a results-driven law firm that puts victims and families first. It is our mission to help pedestrians navigate the claims process and hold insurance companies accountable. Your initial consultation with our Houston pedestrian accident attorney is free and fully confidential. 

Contact Our Houston Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

At Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, our Houston pedestrian accident attorney is an aggressive, experienced advocate for victims and their families. If you or your loved one was hurt in a pedestrian crash, we are here to help you seek the maximum financial compensation. Call us at (888) 378-1784 or contact us online for a free, no obligation initial consultation with a top attorney. We represent pedestrian accident victims in Houston and throughout all of Texas.