At Kelso Law PLLC, we have represented injured pedestrians and their families across Dallas and the surrounding area since 2012.
If you were struck by a vehicle while walking in Dallas, you may be facing painful injuries, growing medical bills, and questions about who will be held responsible. Pedestrian collisions tend to cause lasting harm because a person on foot has no protection against the weight and speed of a car or truck. Our Dallas, TX pedestrian accident lawyer has represented injured people throughout Texas since 2012, and we handle these cases on a contingency basis, so there is no fee unless we recover compensation. Call us today to schedule your consultation.
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Dallas, TX
Our Dallas pedestrian accident lawyer represents people who were injured while on foot when a driver failed to operate a vehicle safely. These collisions occur at crosswalks and intersections, in parking lots, and along open roadways. Our work involves investigating how the collision happened, determining who was at fault, and pursuing the compensation the injured person needs in order to recover.
Pedestrian cases present challenges that set them apart from an ordinary vehicle collision. A person who is walking has no seatbelt, airbag, or steel frame to absorb impact, so the resulting injuries are frequently serious and the recovery period can be long. Our Dallas pedestrian accident attorney gathers evidence, coordinates with medical providers, and communicates with the insurance company so that the injured client can concentrate on healing.
Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Dallas
Pedestrian injuries arise from many different circumstances, and those circumstances shape how we build each claim. Our Dallas pedestrian accident attorneys represent people who were harmed in the situations described below, among others.
- Car accidents. Most pedestrian injuries involve a passenger vehicle. A driver who speeds, runs a red light, or fails to yield at a crosswalk can cause devastating harm to a person on foot.
- Truck accidents. The size and limited visibility of a commercial truck make pedestrian collisions especially dangerous. These claims may involve the driver, the trucking company, and other responsible parties.
- Motorcycle accidents. Pedestrians and motorcyclists use the same roads, and a collision between them can cause significant injury. We handle the claims that arise from these encounters.
- Crosswalk and intersection collisions. Many pedestrians are struck while crossing with the right of way. Drivers who turn without looking or disregard signals are often responsible for these injuries.
- Hit-and-run accidents. When a driver leaves the scene, we work to identify the responsible party and pursue any available coverage, including uninsured motorist protection.
- Parking lot and backover accidents. Low-speed areas still produce serious injuries, particularly when a driver reverses without checking for people behind the vehicle.
- Distracted and impaired driving. Drivers who use their phones, operate under the influence, or are otherwise inattentive present a constant danger to people on foot.
- Poor road and lighting conditions. Inadequate lighting, missing signals, and unsafe design can contribute to a collision and may add a responsible party beyond the driver.
Why Choose Kelso Law PLLC as my Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Dallas, TX?
Trial Experience in Texas Courts
Our founding attorney, Rhiannon Kelso, has represented injured Texans since 2012 and has tried more than 25 cases to a jury verdict. She earned her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she received the CALI Excellence award for the highest grade in her class, and she is a member of the Dallas Bar Association. While most pedestrian accident claims resolve through settlement, insurers tend to offer more when they know a firm is prepared to take a case to trial.
Results for Injured Clients
Over the past 13 years, we have recovered more than $20 million for the people we represent, including a jury verdict above $8 million in Dallas County. Past results do not guarantee a particular outcome in any future case, but they do reflect the preparation and attention our personal injury lawyers in Dallas bring to the matters we handle.
Understanding Pedestrian Accident Cases
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Cases
When a driver’s negligence causes a pedestrian injury, Texas law allows the injured person to seek compensation for the losses that follow. Because these injuries are frequently severe, a complete claim accounts for costs that continue well beyond the initial hospital visit. Building a case around your full recovery means documenting both present and future needs, which our Dallas pedestrian accident lawyer can help with. Compensation in a pedestrian accident case may include:
- Emergency care, hospitalization, and ongoing medical treatment
- Future medical needs, including surgery and rehabilitation for a spinal cord injury or other lasting harm
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Liability depends on which party failed to act with reasonable care. In many cases the driver is responsible, although a government entity or another party may share fault when road conditions or a third party contributed to the collision.
What Are Important Aspects of a Pedestrian Accident Case?
Several factors affect the strength of a pedestrian accident claim, and addressing them early tends to produce a better result. Evidence from the scene, such as traffic camera footage and witness accounts, can disappear within days, which makes a prompt investigation valuable. Insurance companies also look for ways to limit what they pay, and blaming pedestrians for their own injuries is a common approach. Texas law still permits recovery when the injured person shares some responsibility, provided that share does not exceed the limit set by statute.
- Whether the driver was speeding, distracted, or impaired
- Where the collision occurred and who had the right of way
- The availability of traffic or surveillance footage
- The insurance coverage that applies to the driver and the injured person
An insurer assigns a value to a claim based on its own review, and how insurers value a pedestrian injury often falls short of its true long-term cost.
What Is The Pedestrian Accident Case Timeline?
Every case proceeds at its own pace, though most follow a familiar sequence when you work with our Dallas pedestrian accident attorney.
- We meet with you, review your records, and investigate the cause of the collision
- We identify the liable parties and notify their insurance carriers
- You continue medical treatment while we document the full extent of your losses
- We negotiate with the insurer toward a fair settlement
- If the insurer does not offer a reasonable amount, we file suit and prepare for trial
A serious pedestrian injury can take months or longer to reach the point of maximum medical recovery. We do not encourage a client to settle before the lasting effect of the injury is understood, and our Dallas pedestrian accident attorney can advise you on when a settlement is fair.
What Should You Bring to Your Pedestrian Accident Consultation?
Bringing a few items to the first meeting helps us evaluate your claim more efficiently. If they are available, please gather the following before meeting with our Dallas pedestrian accident lawyer:
- Medical records and bills related to the injury
- Photographs of your injuries and the scene of the collision
- The police or incident report, if one was prepared
- Names and contact information for any witnesses
- Insurance information for the driver and for yourself
If you do not have all of these, that is not a problem, because we can help you obtain the missing records. The initial consultation is free, and it gives us the chance to understand your situation and describe how we can assist.
What Are Important Texas Legal Resources for Pedestrian Accident Cases?
Texas law establishes the rules that govern how and when an injured pedestrian may bring a claim. The resources below are a useful starting point, though they are not a substitute for advice about the specifics of your case.
- The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code sets a two-year deadline for filing most personal injury lawsuits.
- Texas follows a shared fault rule that reduces recovery by the injured person’s percentage of responsibility and bars recovery above fifty percent.
- The NHTSA pedestrian safety program provides data and prevention information for pedestrians and drivers.
- The CDC pedestrian data resource tracks pedestrian injuries and deaths across the country.
Reach Out to Kelso Law PLLC to Schedule a Consultation
If you or a family member was hurt in a pedestrian collision, our Dallas pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to review your claim. We handle these cases on a contingency basis, which means there are no upfront costs and no fee unless we recover compensation for you. The first consultation is free and gives us the opportunity to hear what happened and outline the next steps. We respond to new inquiries promptly. Contact us to schedule your consultation with our team to see how our team can help.