When a car or truck hits a pedestrian, the results can be catastrophic. Because of the serious risks for people who use the roads while on foot, the Texas Transportation Code requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians on a roadway. Drivers must also give adequate warning to pedestrians by sounding their horns. Safety is everyone's responsibility, but drivers have a special responsibility to look out for pedestrians.
A collision between a motor vehicle and a cyclist can likewise cause serious injuries and even wrongful death. Many drivers forget that Texas law grants cyclists the right to operate in the roadway. Drivers will sometimes refuse to share the road with bicycles, and they will often attempt to place blame on the cyclist when an accident happens. This often leaves innocent Texans with severe injuries and a pile of medical bills facing off against powerful insurance companies that will do almost anything to deny their claims.
As cyclists themselves, the team at Alford Law PLLC have seen how drivers regularly fail to share the road and needlessly put cyclists in unnecessary danger. We work to ensure that those who have been injured by negligent drivers do not fall victim for a second time when filing insurance claims or pursuing compensation for their injuries. We are prepared to fight against insurance companies on behalf of injured pedestrians and cyclists.
Pursuing Compensation for Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, pedestrian accidents have increased significantly in recent years. In 2020, there were 4,852 accidents involving pedestrians, resulting in 1,211 serious injuries and 731 fatalities — a 9 percent increase from the previous year. Pedestrians now account for one out of every five deaths in traffic accidents in Texas. Bicycle accidents also account for many injuries, with 2,173 accidents occurring in 2020 and more than 300 fatalities over a five-year period.
Despite claims that cyclists or people on foot may have acted unsafely, driver negligence is usually the primary factor that leads to bicycle or pedestrian accidents. Drivers who violate the law by exceeding speed limits, disobeying traffic signals, or failing to yield the right of way may be unable to avoid colliding with pedestrians or bicyclists. Distracted driving is a common factor in these types of accidents, and drunk or intoxicated driving will also drastically affect a driver's ability to drive safely and avoid collisions.
Why Texas Victims Choose Alford Law
If you or a member of your family have been struck by a vehicle while on foot or while riding a bicycle, you need a strong legal advocate on your side. Alford Law PLLC can help you make sure you will not be taken advantage of by insurance companies. By establishing the full value of your claim, we can help negotiate a settlement that will allow you to make a full recovery. With offices in San Marcos, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Corpus Christi, we are available 24/7 and never charge a fee unless we win your case.