Some of the most dangerous places in Austin are where pedestrians and vehicles intersect. Crosswalks and intersections are the settings of dozens of serious pedestrian-vehicle collisions each year. In 2019, 2 out of every 5 people killed on Austin roads were on foot. Many of these accidents trace back to driver negligence, such as texting and driving.
If you have injuries from a car accident as a pedestrian, call the Austin pedestrian accident lawyers at Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS for a free consultation. A driver or another negligent party may owe you compensation. Our personal injury attorneys in Austin may be able to help you bring a cause of action.
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At the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, we support pedestrian safety in our community. We work hard to secure justice for injured pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users in Austin. We understand how physically and emotionally devastating a pedestrian-vehicle collision can be for the pedestrian. These collisions often cause catastrophic injuries.
A claim against the at-fault driver or another responsible party could lead to compensation to make up for serious personal injuries. According to the CDC, pedestrians aged 65 and older accounted for 20% of all pedestrian deaths, and while a settlement or verdict cannot reverse your injuries or losses, it can help you pay your bills and move forward. A compensatory award could pay for your health care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Although preventing pedestrian accidents would be ideal, sometimes that is not possible for you to achieve. That is when it is important to take the right steps after an accident occurs.
Many pedestrian accident claims point to the liability of the driver. A driver may have to pay you for damages if the driver was negligent, reckless or wanton in causing or contributing to the crash. If a driver collided with you while you were walking or jogging in Austin, take certain steps to improve your chances of a successful case against that party:
Next, contact the attorneys at the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS for a free pedestrian accident case review. We can take action immediately to improve your chances of successfully securing compensation, including collecting police reports and medical records. We can help you identify the defendant, collect any evidence as to fault or negligence, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
When you’re hurt by a careless driver in or around Austin, TX, you’re facing a difficult journey. There are a thousand things to worry about while you’re injured and seeking compensation — hospital bills, physical therapy, time off work, making sure your family is taken care of, etc. If you don’t hire an experienced attorney, you may find yourself crushed by a legal system that is known for being exhausting and stressful.
That’s where we come in. We are committed to winning maximum settlements and verdicts for our clients as quickly as possible. When you work with our team, you’ll sleep better at night knowing we’re committed to providing exemplary client care and transparent communication.
Insurance companies know that they are legally obligated to pay for expenses caused by their insured drivers, but they are still businesses and mainly concerned about their bottom line. When a pedestrian accident occurs, you are likely to be stressed and confused, which gives an insurer multiple opportunities to avoid covering the expenses they are obligated to cover. They may make you an offer that won’t cover all your needs, but you may not know it at the time.
An Austin pedestrian accident lawyer at the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, will protect your right to compensation by assigning a fair and accurate value to your claim and sticking to it during settlement negotiations. If the insurer refuses to pay it, we will use our years of trial experience to fight for a verdict in your favor. We are diligent and determined, and that’s why so many injured clients have trusted us. To find our office, Google ‘Austin car accident attorney near me’ or call (512) 800-0000.
In Texas, you generally have up to two years to file a pedestrian accident claim. If you don’t meet this deadline, your right to recover compensation is usually barred unless one of the few exceptions apply to your case. For example:
If the deadline for filing your personal injury case is approaching — or has already passed — it may be time to consult with an experienced Austin pedestrian accident attorney.
Pedestrian accident victims in Texas are entitled to compensation equal to the value of their damages. As a result, there is no ‘average’ or ‘standard’ settlement amount. Below are some examples of compensation you may receive after being injured as a pedestrian:
You must thoroughly document your losses in order to maximize your settlement. It is the insurance company’s goal to reduce the value of your award in any way that they can. In the absence of evidence and documentation to support your claim, you will not receive the full compensation you deserve. Here are some examples of documentation that can be used as evidence:
Texas is a comparative negligence state when it comes to accident claims, so if you were in any way responsible for your injuries, your settlement or award will usually be reduced accordingly.
For example, let’s assume that you were injured by a distracted motorist and sustained $40,000 in total damages, including medical bills, time away from work, and a considerable amount of pain and suffering. However, traffic camera footage shows that you were struck as you dashed across the street, ignoring the ‘Do Not Cross’ light, so you are assigned 40% of the blame. Instead of the full $40,000, you would receive $24,000, which represents the driver’s share of fault.
This state’s comparative fault law becomes especially significant when you are over 50% at fault for your accident. In this situation, you can’t pursue compensation at all, so it’s critical that you retain an Austin pedestrian accident lawyer to protect your rights.
Most pedestrian-vehicle collisions are preventable. Distracted, reckless, aggressive and negligent drivers may fail to see and/or yield to pedestrians. At the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, our pedestrian and car accident attorneys in Austin help pedestrians seek justice and maximum compensation after accidents. Find out how the Texas Law Guns can help you today. Call (512) 800-0000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
