Fall and winter bring cooler weather to Texas, but the shorter daylight hours also lead to a sharp rise in pedestrian accidents. In fact, October was the deadliest month for pedestrians last year, with 80 fatalities across the state. Reduced visibility, busy roads, and distracted driving create a perfect storm that puts pedestrians at higher risk — especially in places like crosswalks and intersections.
Recognizing this growing danger, Texas enacted the Lisa Torry Smith Act in 2021. This new law requires drivers to stop and yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Named after Lisa Torry Smith, who tragically lost her life in 2017 while walking her young son to school, the legislation was designed to enhance pedestrian safety and prevent similar tragedies. However, despite the law’s good intentions, pedestrian fatalities have still increased by 22 percent over the past five years. Many drivers remain unaware of their obligation to yield at crosswalks, continuing to put pedestrians at risk.
Be Safe. Drive Smart.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has launched a campaign called "Be Safe. Drive Smart." to address this issue. The campaign emphasizes the importance of driver awareness and includes educational efforts such as TV and radio ads, billboards, and street teams with safety messages.
Despite these efforts, pedestrians remain vulnerable, especially in the fall and winter when daylight is scarce. Many crashes occur in low-light conditions, where drivers may struggle to see people crossing the street. In these cases, victims often face severe, life-altering injuries and need strong legal support to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses.
Safety tips for drivers and pedestrians
TxDOT’s campaign encourages both drivers and pedestrians to take proactive steps to prevent deadly crashes. Here are a few important safety tips:
For drivers
- Always stop and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Be vigilant when turning at intersections; pedestrians may have the right of way.
- Put away your phone and focus on the road, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic.
- Slow down and follow speed limits, especially at night or in poor visibility conditions.
For pedestrians
- Cross at marked intersections and crosswalks. Never assume drivers will stop for you.
- Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the road.
- Stay visible by wearing reflective clothing or carrying a flashlight when walking at night.
- Avoid distractions like using your phone while crossing the street.
These tips can help prevent accidents, but even the most cautious pedestrian can be struck by a careless driver. When that happens, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options by consulting an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.
How a pedestrian accident lawyer can help
If you or a loved one is hit by a car while walking, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma can quickly pile up, making it hard to know where to turn. To make matters worse, insurance companies have a financial incentive to pay accident victims less than what they deserve. That's when having an experienced attorney on your side can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case.
A pedestrian accident lawyer can:
- Investigate the accident, gathering evidence like police reports, witness statements, and video footage.
- Prove liability, showing that the driver was negligent by failing to yield the right of way or driving distracted.
- Handle insurance negotiations, ensuring you’re not pressured into accepting a lowball settlement that doesn't cover the full extent of your damages.
- Pursue fair and full compensation, covering your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
The new crosswalk law and TxDOT’s ongoing safety efforts emphasize the importance of holding drivers accountable when they fail to protect pedestrians. By working with a skilled attorney, you can take the first step toward justice and recovery.
Injured in a Laredo pedestrian accident? Get justice with John.
Pedestrian accidents are more common in Texas than most people realize, often leaving victims with severe, life-changing injuries. If you or a loved one was hit by a car or truck while lawfully crossing the street or walking on a sidewalk, put John R. Solis, Attorney at Law, on your side.
As an experienced pedestrian accident attorney who fights for victims in Laredo and throughout the Rio Grande Valley, John knows the tactics insurance companies use to deny or minimize claims. Our dedicated legal team understands the devastating impact these accidents have, so we take a personalized approach to every case, gathering strong evidence and using the right experts to build a solid claim for maximum compensation.
We provide aggressive, experienced legal representation to English- and Spanish-speaking clients in Laredo, San Antonio, and across Texas. Contact us today for a free consultation.
"Highly recommended! We had a great experience with Mr. Solis, Darrel, and the whole staff!!! Very patient with all our questions and calls. They fought for us and took care of everything. We were more than pleased with the outcome of our case!" - Lorraine P.
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