Why You Should Consult Austin Crosswalk Accident Lawyers
In Austin, crosswalk accidents pose a significant risk to pedestrians. If you or a loved one has been involved in a crosswalk accident, it’s crucial to seek legal assistance from experienced Austin crosswalk accident lawyers. These specialized Austin Crosswalk Accident Lawyers have the knowledge and expertise to navigate the complexities of crosswalk accident cases, ensuring that victims receive the support and compensation they deserve. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Austin crosswalk accident lawyers for dedicated representation in your time of need.
Who Is Responsible For a Crosswalk Accident?
Crosswalks are where an unfortunately high number of car accident-related injuries occur every year in the United States. According to 2019 crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, 18% of the 6,205 pedestrian fatalities in that year occurred at intersections.
Andrew Traub, a veteran personal injury lawyer, knows how best to navigate crosswalk accident cases to secure rightful compensation from the responsible parties, thereby ensuring that victims can receive all necessary treatments for their injuries.
Our Austin crosswalk accident lawyers have been advocating for crosswalk accident victims for over 19 years.
If you have been injured in a crosswalk accident, contact The Traub Law Office today to receive a FREE consultation with a skilled crosswalk accident attorney.
Consequences for Failing to Yield at Crosswalks in Texas
Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks in Texas can face tickets, fines, points on their license, and higher insurance rates. In cases involving injury or repeat offenses, more serious penalties like criminal charges may apply. These laws aim to protect pedestrians and hold drivers accountable.
Common Causes of Crosswalk Accidents
Crosswalk accidents can occur due to negligence on the part of vehicle drivers and pedestrians alike, which is why retaining an attorney seasoned in proving negligence is key to winning a crosswalk accident case.
Some of the most common causes of crosswalk accidents include:
- Driving while distracted by electronics, passengers, food, etc.
- Driving while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs
- Driving while texting
- Speeding
- Drivers failing to look both ways before entering the crosswalk
- Failing to obey traffic laws & signals as a driver or pedestrian
What Are Motorists’ Responsibilities at Texas Crosswalks?
Texas drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, obey walk signals, stop at pedestrian signage, and allow people to cross before turning—even with a green light. Failing to follow these rules can lead to fines and endanger lives.
Why Pedestrians Suffer More Severe Injuries in Crosswalk Accidents
Pedestrians face greater risks because they have no protection like car passengers do. In a crosswalk accident, the vehicle usually hits the lower body first, causing serious injuries. Then the pedestrian often falls to the ground, leading to additional trauma like head injuries. This double impact makes pedestrian injuries often more severe or even fatal compared to those inside vehicles.
What Are the Common Injuries Suffered by Pedestrians in Crosswalk Accidents?
Pedestrians involved in crosswalk accidents often suffer far more severe injuries than those inside vehicles. Unlike drivers and passengers, who benefit from airbags, seatbelts, and the structural protection of a car, pedestrians are completely exposed. Even a low-speed impact can result in life-altering or fatal injuries.
These collisions usually involve two stages of trauma: the initial impact from the vehicle, often striking the lower body, and a secondary impact with the pavement or nearby objects, which can cause further or more serious harm.
Some of the most common injuries sustained in pedestrian crosswalk accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (from concussions to severe brain trauma)
- Fractures, particularly in the legs, hips, or pelvis
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord damage, which may result in partial or full paralysis
- Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, and deep bruising
- Crushing injuries
- Amputations or dismemberment, in severe cases
- Coma or loss of consciousness
- Wrongful death or fatalities
These injuries often require emergency care, multiple surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation. In many cases, the emotional and financial toll can be just as devastating as the physical damage.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, it’s critical to seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries aren’t immediately apparent. Timely diagnosis and treatment can make a significant difference in recovery and may also strengthen your legal case.
Safety Tips to Prevent Crosswalk Accidents
As with any car or truck accident, prevention is key. Follow these safety tips to lower the risk of being involved in a crosswalk accident:
Pedestrians:
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing
- Take caution at night, when most pedestrian accidents occur
- Increase your visibility by using your phone’s flashlight feature
- Obey traffic signals and the walk/wait crosswalk indicator
- Avoid alcohol and drug use when walking
Drivers:
- Slow down — speeding is a major factor in pedestrian deaths
- Stay alert and focused — do not drive distracted or drowsy
- Obey traffic laws and signs
- Look for pedestrians & bicyclists before entering a crosswalk
- Use caution at night, when most pedestrian accidents occur
- Do not drive while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs
What Should You Do After a Crosswalk Accident?
Pedestrians are required to follow traffic laws, just as drivers are. If they fail to do so, they may be held liable in the event of an accident. For example, if a pedestrian is involved in a crosswalk accident, but did not enter the crosswalk when the crosswalk sign was illuminated, they may be held partially liable.
If you are involved in a crosswalk accident, it’s important to collect as much evidence from the scene as possible, so you can defend yourself and establish the liability of the at-fault party. Use this checklist to begin documenting your case:
- Call 911 if anyone is injured at the scene.
- Request a police report for documentation purposes, whether or not anyone is injured.
- Photograph conditions at the scene, such as inclement weather conditions and hazardous road conditions.
- Photograph injuries and property damage, safety permitting.
- Photograph identifying documents from all involved parties, such as driver’s licenses and insurance cards.
- Gather contact information of all involved parties, as well as any witnesses who are willing to help.
- Don’t admit liability or offer too much information at the scene.
- Obtain a medical evaluation as soon as possible after the accident.
- Consult a crosswalk accident attorney as quickly as you can after the accident.
Austin crosswalk accident lawyers can use the evidence you gather at the scene to reconstruct the accident and establish the responsible party’s liability, thereby increasing the likelihood you will receive full compensation for your injuries.
What Is a Demand Letter and How Does It Help in Personal Injury Claims?
A demand letter is a formal document sent to the at-fault party’s insurance company outlining the accident details and your damages, like medical bills and lost wages. It states the compensation you’re seeking and starts the settlement negotiation. A clear, well-prepared demand letter can often lead to a quicker settlement, helping avoid court. If negotiations fail, it can also be used as evidence if your case goes to trial.
What Are Exemplary Damages in Crosswalk Accident Cases?
Exemplary damages, also called punitive damages, are meant to punish especially reckless or intentional wrongdoing, not to compensate for losses. They apply when a driver’s behavior shows malice, fraud, or gross negligence, like speeding through a busy school crosswalk. These damages are rare and decided by a judge or jury during the trial. If your case involves such extreme conduct, your attorney can advise whether pursuing exemplary damages is appropriate.
Understanding Economic Damages in Pedestrian Accident Claims
Economic damages are the measurable financial losses caused by the accident. These include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, costs for home care, and travel expenses for treatment. Keeping detailed records of these expenses helps ensure you receive fair compensation.
Understanding Non-Economic Damages in Pedestrian Accident Claims
Non-economic damages cover the emotional and personal impact of an accident, like pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. Though harder to measure, they play a crucial role in fair compensation.
How Does the Settlement Process Work in Pedestrian Accident Cases?
Your attorney negotiates with the at-fault party’s insurer to reach a fair payout for your injuries and losses. The process involves exchanging offers until both sides agree. Once settled, you sign paperwork and receive payment. A skilled attorney helps ensure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
What Happens If You Can’t Reach a Fair Settlement with the Insurance Company?
If a fair settlement isn’t reached, you may need to file a lawsuit. This shifts the case to a judge or jury, who will decide if and how much compensation you deserve. Lawsuits take more time and carry risks, but they can result in higher payouts. Most cases settle before trial, but being ready to go to court shows you’re serious.
Legal Options for Securing Compensation After a Crosswalk Accident
After a crosswalk accident, you can seek compensation through either a personal injury claim or a lawsuit. Most cases are handled by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance, where your attorney helps prove fault and negotiate a fair settlement. If a fair deal isn’t reached, you may file a lawsuit, letting a court decide the outcome. While lawsuits can lead to higher payouts, they also carry more risks. Having a knowledgeable lawyer can help guide you through either path.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations in Texas
If you’re thinking about pursuing legal action after a crosswalk accident in Austin, it’s essential to understand the statute of limitations. In Texas, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from seeking compensation, regardless of how valid your claim may be.
This two-year time limit applies to most pedestrian accident cases and highlights the importance of acting promptly. Initiating the legal process early not only protects your right to file but also helps preserve key evidence and ensures that witness accounts remain accurate and reliable.
If you’re unsure how the statute of limitations applies to your case, don’t wait. Speaking with an experienced crosswalk accident attorney as soon as possible is the best way to protect your rights and build a strong case.
Crosswalk Accidents: Liability, Legal Options, and Safety Concerns
Crosswalk accidents often raise complex questions about liability and recovery. While drivers are frequently at fault for failing to yield or obey traffic laws, responsibility can also extend to vehicle owners, employers, government entities with poorly maintained intersections, or even businesses that overserve intoxicated drivers. If the at-fault party is uninsured or unidentified, victims may turn to their own insurance for coverage. Because identifying every liable party is critical, working with an experienced crosswalk accident attorney can make a major difference.
Attorneys play a vital role by gathering evidence, identifying responsible parties, assessing the full extent of damages, and negotiating with insurers—or taking the case to court if necessary. Parents of children struck while walking to school must act quickly: call 911, obtain a police report, document the scene, seek medical care, and consult a lawyer to protect their child’s rights. In some cases, victims may sue a city or state agency if poor infrastructure or faulty signals contributed to the crash, though strict deadlines and special rules apply.
Safety remains a serious concern, as pedestrian fatalities are on the rise nationwide. Many accidents occur at night or even within designated crosswalks, proving that pedestrians are still vulnerable despite safety measures. Staying alert, following traffic signals, and exercising extra caution in busy areas can help reduce risks, but stronger infrastructure and driver awareness are also essential.
Trust Attorney Andrew Traub and Our Austin Crosswalk Accident Lawyers
Our team of skilled Austin crosswalk accident lawyers can help you navigate your injury case. We have the experience and resources necessary to build the strongest case possible. Our aim is always to fight for the maximum compensation allowable for our clients.
Get in touch with the highly qualified personal injury attorneys at The Traub Law Office today to begin discussing your case. We also help families of wrongful death victims from crosswalk accidents.
The Austin crosswalk accident lawyers at The Traub Law Office proudly serve Texas and beyond, with our primary office in Austin.
Fill out the form for a FREE, no-obligation consultation! You will not pay any legal fees unless we win your case. Contact us today.
