Dallas Pedestrian Accident Lawyers With a Track Record of Success
A motor vehicle accident can cause personal injuries and damages, but if you are involved in one as a pedestrian, your injuries might be particularly serious and significant, sometimes causing life-changing circumstances. You could be facing costly and extensive medical treatment and be unable to work due to your injuries.
If you've been harmed in a Dallas pedestrian accident, you may be offered a settlement from the insurance company to cover your medical bills and lost wages or income if your injuries kept you from working at your job. They may even offer a small amount of pain and suffering damages. But you should never accept a settlement without consulting a pedestrian accident lawyer.
You shouldn't attempt to explore a personal injury claim on your own. Pedestrian accident cases can be complex, time-consuming, and difficult to manage. We can help you recover the compensation you need and deserve. An experienced Dallas pedestrian accident lawyer from The Francis Firm can review your pedestrian accident case in a free consultation and tell you what your case is really worth.
What Types of Pedestrian Accidents Occur in Dallas?
According to the Texas Department of Transportation: “Pedestrian deaths are continuing to rise in Texas and now account for nearly one in five of all traffic fatalities." The most recent pedestrian accident statistics show there were 4,852 crashes involving pedestrians in our state, resulting in 1,211 serious injuries and 731 deaths, a nine percent increase in pedestrian fatalities over the previous year.
The Texas DOT reports that pedestrians “are among the most vulnerable road users because they aren't equipped with protective equipment such as airbags, seat belts, and bumpers.” According to the DOT, most pedestrian accidents involve driver negligence, such as :
- Driver inattention
- Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Negligent drivers contribute to thousands of pedestrian and bicycle accidents each year. The Texas DOT reported 5,370 motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians in Texas in 2021, resulting in 843 deaths—a 15 percent increase in pedestrian accident fatalities over the previous year.
What Injuries Do Pedestrian Accident Victims Suffer?
As one would think, pedestrian accidents can result in serious and catastrophic injuries. The following are some examples of pedestrian injuries:
- Concussions, head and skull injuries, and traumatic brain injuries
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries, in some cases involving paralysis
- Disabling and permanent injuries
- Injuries or damage to internal organs
- Breaks, Fractures, abrasions, and bruising
- Various soft tissue injuries
- Fatal injuries
The trauma injured pedestrians experience from a pedestrian accident can also result in emotional injuries, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
What Compensation Can Pedestrian Accident Victims Recover Compensation For?
There are several types of damages for which injured parties may recover compensation in a pedestrian injury claim. First, there are your out-of-pocket costs, also known as economic damages. These include medical expenses, such as:
- Hospital bills
- Doctor's visits
- Prescription drug costs
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Medical testing, imaging, and treatments
- Future medical expenses
- Special equipment for mobility or prosthetics
- Modifications to your home or vehicle
Economic damages also include any damage to your personal property, as well as lost income or wages if you are unable to go to work as a result of your accident. They also include potential recovery for any future wages you may lose as a result of being unable to work your current job in the future.
You may also recover general, or non-economic damages. These tend to be harder to quantify and can take more effort to prove, with the insurance company or jury valuing them based on various factors. These types of damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Psychological trauma
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
Noneconomic damages in personal injury claims may also include the general decline in the quality of your life, including the loss of enjoyment of hobbies that you are not able to do any longer. Your spouse may also claim loss of consortium if your pedestrian accident injuries affect your ability to participate in the marital relationship.
How Can a Dallas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help Me?
An experienced Dallas pedestrian accident lawyer can be invaluable in your pedestrian accident claim. They can accurately value your damages, investigate the facts of your case, and preserve important evidence that will prove your claim. They will negotiate with the insurance company or the other party, striving to get you fair compensation.
Insurance companies work to maximize profits and minimize payouts—their aim is to offer the smallest amount possible to settle your case. A good attorney will negotiate with the insurer, standing up to them in order to hold parties responsible for their reckless or negligent behavior. If those negotiations do not lead to a settlement, they will fight for your right to maximum compensation through a personal injury lawsuit, putting together a solid claim on your behalf, based on the evidence at hand.
Being injured in a pedestrian accident leads to serious injuries, significant financial costs, and often, changes to the quality of your life. Don't try to go it alone: to protect your legal rights, discuss your options and potential next steps in a free consultation with a skilled pedestrian accident lawyer in Dallas, Texas.
Contact the Dallas Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Francis Firm Today
We will hold a no-fee, in-depth review of your case and fully investigate your pedestrian accident in Texas, obtaining all evidence we need to build a winning legal claim. We will also help you get the right medical care you may need, answer your questions, and help you understand your rights and options.
At the Francis Firm, every Dallas personal injury lawyer is an experienced, strong advocate for injured victims. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you need a lawyer who will fight for your legal rights and protect your financial interests. Please reach out to us today for a fee, no obligation initial legal consultation online or by calling 817-329-9001. With our office in Southlake, we serve communities throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Tarrant County, Dallas County, and other counties in Texas.