Because Houston is very spread out, it is not a friendly city for walking. Since there are few pedestrians, many drivers do not watch for them at crosswalks unless they are in downtown. Unfortunately, when drivers ignore pedestrians and bicyclists it usually results in an increased number of pedestrian accidents. If you or someone you love has been hurt call The Texas Bulldog for a free case evaluation.
Drivers must legally give the right of way. They should either stop or slow down for pedestrians in a crosswalk. However, Houston drivers do not always exercise caution or yield the right of way. Between 2010 and 2018, over 10,600 pedestrians were struck on Houston roads and of those, 587 were killed. When a pedestrian accident occurs, inevitably the finger pointing begins. The Texas Bulldog will research your case and take steps to prove the driver was at fault for your accident. Injured pedestrians can get compensation for their past and future damages. This includes medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys will always hold negligent and reckless drivers accountable for their actions.
How Pedestrian Accidents Happen
Pedestrian accidents typically occur because of a combination of dangerous driving behaviors, environmental hazards, and design flaws. Below are primary causes we often investigate:
1. Failure to Yield / Right-of-Way Violations
Even when a pedestrian is lawfully crossing — in a crosswalk, at an intersection, or on a sidewalk entering the street — drivers are legally required to yield. Too often, drivers ignore or misjudge whether they must stop.
At unsignalized crosswalks, pedestrians in the half of the roadway where the driver is traveling are protected by right-of-way laws. Miller Law Firm
Drivers turning right or left sometimes fail to see pedestrians crossing in their path.
2. Speeding & Inability to Stop in Time
Higher speeds reduce the reaction time available and increase stopping distance. A driver going above speed limit may not be able to brake or swerve in time to avoid hitting a person.
3. Distracted / Texting / Cell Phone Use
A driver glancing at a phone, adjusting music, or talking to passengers can miss pedestrians crossing mid-block or at obscure points. These lagging reactions lead to catastrophic impact.
4. Impaired Driving (Alcohol / Drugs / Fatigue)
Driving under the influence or while fatigued impairs vision, judgment, reaction time, and expectancy of hazards. Pedestrians are especially vulnerable victims when drivers operate under impairment.
5. Dark / Low Visibility Conditions
At night, dusk, heavy rain, fog, or glare from streetlights/headlights, a pedestrian may be hard to see, especially if wearing dark clothing or in unlit zones. Drivers may misjudge distance or fail to see someone stepping off the sidewalk.
6. Vehicle Equipment Failures
Brake failure, tire blowouts, defective headlights, or malfunctioning steering can result in driver losing control and striking pedestrians. In such cases, the vehicle’s manufacturer or maintenance provider may share liability.
7. Turning and Right-of-Way Confusion
Pedestrians can be struck when drivers turn across crosswalks without careful scanning, especially at multi-lane intersections. Some drivers focus on oncoming traffic and neglect checking for pedestrians.
8. Jaywalking or Mid-Block Crossing
Though pedestrians sometimes cross outside designated crosswalks, Texas law allows recovery under comparative fault if the pedestrian’s fault is less than 51%. Even when crossing illegally, a pedestrian may have a claim.
9. Road Design or Infrastructure Defects
Faulty crosswalk placement, insufficient signage, missing sidewalks, poor lighting, overly wide crossing distances, or lack of pedestrian islands all increase danger. Cities or municipalities may bear responsibility when design or maintenance is negligent.
10. Secondary Collisions / Multiple Vehicles
A pedestrian may be initially struck or clipped, and then a second vehicle (or more) collides with them after the initial impact. Or debris sent flying by one crash hits a pedestrian nearby.
In investigating your case, we reconstruct the accident scene, interview witnesses, analyze traffic camera or surveillance footage, study skid marks and impact dynamics, and consult accident reconstruction experts to determine fault.
Houston pedestrian crash snapshot
Walking in Houston can be risky. Statewide, pedestrians now make up roughly 1 in 5 traffic deaths. In 2024, Texas recorded 6,095 pedestrian crashes leading to 773 pedestrian deaths and 1,454 serious injuries. Crashes and fatalities often spike in October as daylight drops and more travel happens in the dark. At the local level, recent Vision Zero work continues to target “high-injury” corridors such as Bissonnet and Airline, where crash clusters persist. Our team uses this data when we investigate your case and when we argue for full compensation.
Texas right-of-way
Do drivers have to stop for people in crosswalks?
Yes. Texas Transportation Code § 552.003 requires drivers to stop and yield to a person in a crosswalk when no signal is operating and the pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the road or close enough to be in danger. The law also protects “sidewalk users” (like people on mobility devices) crossing at crosswalks. If the driver fails to yield, they can be held liable.
Do pedestrians ever have to yield?
Outside a crosswalk, pedestrians must yield to vehicles (§ 552.005). Insurance companies love to twist this rule. We counter with roadway design, lighting, and driver behavior evidence to show the driver (not the walker) caused the crash.
Which Laws Protect Pedestrians?
Texas laws state that drivers must yield right-of-way to pedestrians in cross walks if there is no traffic control signal, the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway in which the driver is traveling, and if the pedestrian is approaching from the opposite side of the road but close enough to be in danger of hitting them. Drivers must be careful to avoid hitting pedestrians on the road. They should honk their horn when needed. They also need to be cautious when they see a child or a confused or disabled person on the road
How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Texas Pedestrian Accident Attorney
The Texas Bulldog will never charge anything unless he wins your case. We have a contingency fee contract, which means The Miller Law Firm will not get paid unless you recover money. Additionally, our firm will cover all the costs associated with researching your case, prosecuting and litigation. We will also cover the costs of doctor visits, court visits, loans for living expenses and if we need to hire an expert for trial. If The Texas Bulldog wins your case, we’re reimbursed those costs. If we’re not successful, then we lose those costs.
Typical Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Because pedestrians are unprotected, injuries tend to be severe. Some common injuries include:
Fractures (legs, arms, ribs, pelvis)
Head injuries, concussions, traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Spinal cord damage or paralysis
Internal bleeding or organ damage
Soft tissue injuries (ligaments, tendons)
Broken bones in the skull or face, dental injuries
Amputations or severe crush injuries
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, emotional trauma
Long-term disability or disfigurement
These injuries often require months or years of medical care, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, assistive devices, and ongoing support.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Are Common in Texas
Low walkability, high speed roads: Many Houston suburbs and Texas cities were built around car travel — pedestrian infrastructure (sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting) is often inadequate.
Driver negligence: Many drivers underestimate pedestrian presence, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions.
Distracted driving & impairment: Using phones, texting, drunk or drowsy driving increases the chance a driver won’t see a pedestrian until it’s too late.
Crosswalk misuse / jaywalking: Some pedestrians must cross in unprotected locations; some drivers don’t yield even when law requires.
Poor infrastructure & maintenance: Absence or malfunction of traffic signals, broken crosswalk signage, obstructed sightlines, or failing streetlights increase risk.
Between 2010 and 2018, over 10,600 pedestrians were struck on Houston roads; of those, 587 were killed.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Pedestrian Crash
Liability in pedestrian accidents may not only lie with the driver who struck you. Possible responsible parties include:
The at-fault driver / vehicle owner
Commercial fleets or employer of the driver (vicarious liability)
Vehicle manufacturers / parts suppliers (if defective brakes, steering, lighting)
Government entities / municipalities (for poorly designed roads, missing crosswalks, malfunctioning signals)
Property owners or businesses (if their property design or signage forced dangerous crossing conditions)
Maintenance contractors (if lighting, sidewalks, or signals were negligently maintained)
We explore all possible defendants to maximize your recovery.
What Compensation Can You Seek?
If you prevail in a pedestrian accident claim, you may recover the following categories of damages:
Past & future medical expenses (hospital stays, surgeries, rehab, prosthetics)
Lost wages & lost earning capacity
Pain & suffering, emotional distress
Permanent disability or disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium (for spouses/family)
Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence, e.g. DUI, reckless behavior)
Wrongful death damages (in fatal pedestrian accidents)
We also often pursue pre-judgment interest and hold negligent parties accountable for all past and projected costs.
Proof We Gather
Evidence we move fast to secure
Vehicle data, cell-phone use, and telematics
Intersection timing and lighting studies
Vision Zero “High Injury Network” overlays for dangerous corridors
Business/residential camera footage (often overwritten in days)
Night-time visibility and headlight compliance
Driver history, impairment, and speed evidence
Houston invests in safety upgrades, but high-injury corridors still produce severe pedestrian harm. We use those facts to show juries why full compensation is justified.
Damages We Fight For
Your potential compensation
ER bills, surgery, rehab, prosthetics
Future medical and life-care plans
Lost income and reduced earning capacity
Pain, suffering, impairment, and disfigurement
Household help and mobility aids
UM/UIM and hit-and-run options when the driver flees or lacks coverage
We also pursue wrongful death damages for families after fatal pedestrian crashes.
Contact Our Law Firm
At The Miller Law Firm, we focus on helping injured victims and their families get the most they deserve of their financial recovery. We know that the success of your case depends on our hard work and dedication. Our attorneys will always go the extra mile from the initial investigation through all facets of the legal process to help you get the best outcome possible. The Texas Bulldog will fight aggressively to ensure that you receive a favorable outcome for your case, whether negotiating with an insurance company or taking a case to trial. Contact Us today by calling 713-572-3333 to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys are available to discuss how we can help you favorably resolve your case.
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