Temple Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Understanding Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can result in devastating injuries and even fatalities due to the vulnerability of individuals on foot when colliding with motor vehicles. These accidents can occur in various settings, including crosswalks, intersections, sidewalks, parking lots, and residential streets. 

Victims of pedestrian accidents often suffer from severe injuries such as fractures, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, and emotional trauma. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of these accidents can be overwhelming for victims and their families, requiring comprehensive legal support to pursue justice and compensation.

At the Law Offices of Vic Feazell, P.C., we understand the challenges faced by pedestrian accident victims, and we are dedicated to providing personalized legal services tailored to your unique needs and circumstances. Here's why you should choose us to represent you:

• Experience: With decades of experience handling personal injury cases, including pedestrian accidents, our legal team has the knowledge and expertise to effectively advocate for your rights and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
• Track Record of Success: We have a proven track record of securing favorable outcomes for our clients, including substantial settlements and verdicts in pedestrian accident cases. Our results speak for themselves, demonstrating our commitment to achieving justice for those we represent.
• Compassionate Representation: We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll of pedestrian accidents, and we provide compassionate support to our clients throughout the legal process. We are dedicated to alleviating your burden and guiding you every step of the way.
• Thorough Investigation: We conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding your pedestrian accident to gather evidence, identify liable parties, and build a strong case on your behalf. We leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of justice.
• Aggressive Advocacy: We are relentless advocates for our clients' rights and interests, and we are not afraid to take on insurance companies and negligent parties to secure the compensation you deserve. We will fight tirelessly to hold responsible parties accountable for their actions.

To schedule a free consultation, call (254) 938-6885 or contact us online today!

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

A pedestrian accident occurs when a person on foot is involved in a collision with a motor vehicle, such as a car, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle. Common causes of pedestrian accidents involving motor vehicles include:

• Distracted Driving: One of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents is distracted driving, which occurs when a driver's attention is diverted from the road due to activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio, or using navigation systems.
• Speeding: Driving at excessive speeds reduces a driver's ability to react to pedestrians in their path, increasing the likelihood of accidents and the severity of resulting injuries. Speeding is a common contributing factor in pedestrian accidents, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic.
• Failure to Yield: Drivers have a legal obligation to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections. Accidents can occur when drivers fail to yield or disregard traffic signals or signs, leading to collisions with pedestrians lawfully crossing the street.
• Drunk or Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs a driver's judgment, reaction time, and motor skills, increasing the risk of pedestrian accidents. Intoxicated drivers may fail to see pedestrians, veer off the road, or lose control of their vehicles, resulting in tragic consequences.
• Reckless Driving: Reckless driving behaviors such as aggressive driving, running red lights, making illegal turns, and weaving in and out of traffic can endanger pedestrians and lead to serious accidents. Drivers who engage in reckless driving behaviors put themselves and others at risk of harm.
• Poor Visibility: Low visibility conditions, such as darkness, fog, rain, or glare from sunlight, can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians, especially at night or during inclement weather. Poorly lit streets or inadequate signage can also contribute to visibility-related accidents.
• Backing Accidents: Pedestrians are vulnerable to accidents when vehicles are backing out of driveways, parking spaces, or alleys without checking for pedestrians behind them. Drivers must exercise caution when reversing to avoid colliding with pedestrians in their path.
• Failure to Signal: Drivers who fail to use turn signals or properly indicate their intentions when turning or changing lanes can catch pedestrians off guard, leading to collisions or near misses.
• Driver Inattention: Inattentive driving, characterized by daydreaming, fatigue, or simply not paying attention to the road, can result in drivers failing to notice pedestrians in their vicinity or reacting slowly to potential hazards.
• Inadequate Infrastructure: Poorly designed roadways, lack of pedestrian crossings, absence of sidewalks or pedestrian pathways, and inadequate signage or lighting can contribute to unsafe conditions for pedestrians and increase the risk of accidents involving motor vehicles.

Who is Liable?

Determining liability in a pedestrian accident involving a motor vehicle requires a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Liability refers to legal responsibility for the accident and the resulting injuries and damages. Several parties may be held liable for a pedestrian accident, depending on the specific facts of the case. Here are some potential parties who can be held liable:

• Driver of the Motor Vehicle: The most common party held liable in pedestrian accidents is the driver of the motor vehicle involved. If the driver acted negligently, recklessly, or unlawfully and their actions directly caused the pedestrian accident, they can be held responsible for the injuries and damages suffered by the pedestrian. Examples of negligent behavior include speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to yield, and failure to obey traffic laws.
• Vehicle Owner: In cases where the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle owned by someone else, such as a rental car or company vehicle, the vehicle owner may also be held liable for the accident under the legal principle of vicarious liability. Vicarious liability holds vehicle owners responsible for the actions of those driving their vehicles with their permission, such as employees driving company cars.
• Employer of the Driver: If the at-fault driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident, their employer may be held vicariously liable for the accident and resulting injuries. This is often the case in commercial vehicle accidents or when employees are conducting work-related activities while driving.
• Government Entity: In some cases, a pedestrian accident may be caused by dangerous road conditions or defects in roadway design or maintenance, such as poorly marked crosswalks, malfunctioning traffic signals, inadequate lighting, or uneven sidewalks. If the accident was the result of negligence on the part of a government entity responsible for roadway maintenance or design, such as a city or state government, the government entity may be held liable for the accident under a theory of premises liability or negligent maintenance.
• Pedestrian: Although less common, pedestrians can also be held partially liable for accidents if their actions contributed to the collision. For example, if a pedestrian darted into traffic without warning or crossed the street against a signal, they may be found partially at fault for the accident. However, even if the pedestrian shares some responsibility for the accident, they may still be entitled to compensation for their injuries under the legal principle of comparative negligence, which allows for recovery of damages proportionate to each party's degree of fault.

Determining liability in a pedestrian accident requires a careful examination of the facts and evidence surrounding the incident, including witness statements, police reports, surveillance footage, and expert analysis. Our Temple pedestrian accident attorney can help investigate the accident, identify all potentially liable parties, and pursue compensation on behalf of the injured pedestrian.

Contact us today at (254) 938-6885 to request a free case evaluation.