Carrollton Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Consult Kelso Law PLLC for a free consultation with a Carrollton, TX pedestrian accident lawyer.

If you have been struck by a vehicle while walking in Carrollton, your injuries are likely serious. Pedestrians have no barrier between themselves and the vehicle, which means the full force of the collision is absorbed by the human body. Broken bones, head trauma, and spinal damage are common, and the medical costs that follow can be significant.

Kelso Law PLLC has 13 years of experience representing injured plaintiffs. Our Carrollton, TX pedestrian accident lawyer holds negligent drivers accountable and pursues compensation that reflects the full impact of your injuries. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Carrollton, TX

A pedestrian accident case arises when a driver’s negligence causes injury to a person on foot. Under Texas law, drivers owe pedestrians a duty to operate safely and yield the right of way in crosswalks. When a driver breaches that duty by speeding, running a red light, or driving distracted, they can be held liable for the injuries that result.

A pedestrian accident attorney in Carrollton, TX investigates the collision, collects evidence, works with medical professionals to document injuries, and pursues a claim against the at-fault driver. These cases are a subset of car accident claims but involve more severe injuries because the pedestrian has no protection from the impact.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Carrollton

Pedestrian accidents in Carrollton happen in a range of settings, and the circumstances of the crash determine who is at fault and what evidence is needed. Below are the most common types of pedestrian accident cases our firm handles.

• Crosswalk accidents. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. When a driver fails to stop or accelerates through a crosswalk while a pedestrian is crossing, the resulting injuries are often catastrophic.
• Intersection crashes. Pedestrians crossing at intersections are vulnerable to drivers making left or right turns. These drivers frequently focus on oncoming traffic and fail to see the pedestrian in the crosswalk until it is too late.
• Parking lot accidents. Retail parking lots, shopping centers, and restaurant areas in Carrollton see heavy foot traffic alongside vehicle movement. Drivers backing out of spaces, cutting through lanes, or driving too fast through parking areas cause a significant number of pedestrian injuries.
• Hit-and-run pedestrian crashes. When a driver strikes a pedestrian and flees the scene, the injured person faces both a serious medical situation and additional legal complexity. Identifying the driver through surveillance footage, witness accounts, and law enforcement investigation is critical to recovering compensation.
• Distracted driver crashes. Texting and phone use behind the wheel remain leading factors in pedestrian accidents. A distracted driver may not see a pedestrian until the moment of impact, leaving no time to brake or swerve.
• Impaired driver crashes. Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have reduced reaction time and impaired judgment. Pedestrians struck by impaired drivers may pursue both a civil claim for damages and, in some cases, punitive damages if the driver’s conduct was particularly reckless.
• Backing-up accidents. Vehicles reversing out of driveways, parking spaces, and loading zones strike pedestrians more often than most people realize. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable because they may be outside the driver’s line of sight.
• Rideshare accidents. Uber and Lyft drivers stopping abruptly to pick up or drop off passengers in travel lanes or near busy intersections create hazards for pedestrians in the surrounding area. These claims involve additional insurance layers.

Why Choose Kelso Law PLLC as My Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Carrollton, TX?

Experienced Advocacy for Pedestrian Injury Victims

Founding attorney Rhiannon Kelso has tried more than 25 cases to jury verdict during her 13-year career representing plaintiffs. She is a member of the Dallas Bar Association and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and is admitted to practice in all Texas state and federal courts.

Kelso Law PLLC has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients in personal injury and premises liability matters. Rhiannon earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona. She became a lawyer to protect the right of every person to a civil jury trial under the Seventh Amendment. That commitment is particularly important in pedestrian accident cases, where insurance companies routinely attempt to shift blame onto the injured person.

As a personal injury lawyer in Carrollton, TX, Rhiannon handles pedestrian accident claims on a contingency-fee basis. You owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our firm represents plaintiffs only and serves clients in English and Spanish.

What Is Important to Understand About a Pedestrian Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Cases

To recover compensation after a pedestrian accident in Texas, you must prove that the driver was negligent. That means demonstrating the driver owed a duty to operate safely, breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused your injuries. In most pedestrian cases, the driver’s duty includes yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, obeying traffic signals, and maintaining a lookout for people on foot.

Because pedestrians lack any form of physical protection, the injuries in these cases tend to be severe. Recoverable damages may include:

• Emergency medical care, surgery, and hospitalization
• Ongoing rehabilitation, physical therapy, and follow-up treatment
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress
• Permanent impairment or disfigurement

Texas applies a modified comparative fault rule. If you are found partially at fault for the accident, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If your share exceeds 50 percent, you cannot recover. Insurance companies regularly argue that the pedestrian was distracted, jaywalking, or wearing dark clothing at night in order to shift blame.

What Are Important Aspects of a Pedestrian Accident Case?

Several factors affect the strength and value of a pedestrian accident claim. Understanding them early helps your Carrollton pedestrian accident attorney build the most effective case.

• Scene evidence. Photos of the crosswalk, traffic signals, skid marks, and the point of impact are critical. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras can establish exactly what happened. This evidence disappears quickly if not preserved.
• Medical documentation. Prompt evaluation after the accident documents the connection between the crash and your injuries. Because pedestrian injuries are often severe, ongoing treatment records are equally important in showing the long-term impact.
• Witness testimony. Bystander accounts of the driver’s speed, behavior, and whether the pedestrian had the right of way can be decisive. Collecting witness contact information at the scene is important.
• Insurance tactics. The driver’s insurer will look for any way to reduce or deny the claim. Adjusters may press for statements early in the process that are later used against you.

What Is the Pedestrian Accident Case Timeline?

Pedestrian accident cases in Texas follow a general progression, though the timeline varies based on the severity of injuries and the complexity of liability.

• Consultation and case evaluation, usually within days of the accident
• Medical treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation, which may continue for months
• Investigation, including evidence collection, witness interviews, and review of traffic camera or surveillance footage
• Demand letter and negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurer
• Filing a lawsuit if the insurer will not offer a fair settlement. Texas imposes a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident for most pedestrian injury claims.
• Pretrial preparation, depositions, and trial or settlement resolution

What Should You Bring to Your Pedestrian Accident Consultation?

Collecting available records before your first meeting helps your Carrollton pedestrian accident attorney begin evaluating the claim immediately.

• The police report or crash report number
• Photos of the accident scene, crosswalk, traffic signals, and your injuries
• Medical records and bills from treatment after the accident
• Names and contact information for any witnesses
• Your health insurance information and any correspondence from the driver’s insurer

At Kelso Law PLLC, pedestrian accident consultations are free and confidential. We review the circumstances, identify the responsible parties, and give you a direct assessment of the claim.

What Are Important Texas Legal Resources for Pedestrian Accident Cases?

Texas law governs pedestrian accident claims through negligence statutes, filing deadlines, and damages rules. The following resources can help Carrollton, TX residents understand the legal standards that apply.

• The NHTSA road safety page publishes nationwide crash data, including pedestrian-specific safety information and collision statistics.
• The CDC transportation safety page provides motor vehicle crash injury data relevant to understanding pedestrian accident harm.
• The Texas Legislature hosts the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, including the two-year statute of limitations and proportionate responsibility provisions.
• The Texas court system provides information on court structure, civil filing procedures, and jurisdiction for personal injury cases.

Reach Out to Kelso Law PLLC to Schedule a Consultation

If you or a family member has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Carrollton, TX, Kelso Law PLLC can evaluate your case at no cost. We handle pedestrian injury claims on a contingency-fee basis, so you owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. Our office responds to inquiries promptly.