Pedestrian Accident Attorney for Pedestrian Accident Victims
Walking is part of our daily routine a stroll through Trinity Park, a quick trip to the grocery store, or part of our daily commute. While fresh air and Texas sunshine can be rewarding and healthy, pedestrians face many dangers on a daily basis that can leave you injured and struggling to pay your medical bills, provide for your loved ones, and earn an income.
If a negligent driver or an avoidable danger injured you or someone you care about, there’s help. You deserve to know about your opportunities for financial compensation. A Fort Worth pedestrian accident attorney at The Francis Firm can help you seek justice and obtain restitution for your losses. Contact our firm today to get started.
Why The Francis Firm is Texas’s Premiere Personal Injury Law Firm?
For over 25 years, The Francis Firm has paved the way for personal injury victims to recover the compensation they deserve. We believe in setting high standards and abiding by them faithfully. We’re proud to serve Fort Worth, recovering six and even seven-digit settlements and verdicts for those who were unjustly victimized and offered paltry payouts from their insurance companies.
As one of the mere 2 percent of Texas lawyers who are board-certified in personal injury trial law, Michael Francis stands above the rest as a skilled trial lawyer and fierce advocate for injured victims inside and outside the courtroom. Our skilled legal team is prepared to seek you the results you deserve.
Pedestrian Accidents in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth relies heavily on motor vehicles for transportation, meaning that in large swaths of the city, limited infrastructure supports a favorable pedestrian experience. Longer blocks with fewer places to cross and limited bike lanes and walking paths mean that pedestrians must often cross more dangerous intersections if they wish to avoid walking further to arrive at a safer one.
Additionally, those who are mobility-impaired face additional challenges in areas where the city has not installed ADA-compliant curb ramps. Those who use assistive devices, such as wheelchairs and walkers, may also find that uneven pavement and poor sidewalk conditions present additional dangers which, when coupled with a distracted or reckless driver, can create disastrous conditions for pedestrians.
Pedestrian Fatalities Are on the Rise
In Texas, pedestrian accidents and fatalities are increasing. Over the past decade, these incidents have steadily increased, from 488 reported pedestrian fatalities to 815 over the last 10 years. Overall, pedestrians account for one in five of all traffic-related fatalities in the state.
In Fort Worth, many car accidents resulting in pedestrian fatalities occur on major roads and intersections, including:
- South Freeway
- Chisholm Trail Parkway
- East Belknap Street
- South Riverside Drive
- Tom Landry Freeway
The Texas Department of Transportation registered a total of 5,665 pedestrian accidents throughout the state in just one year, 1,373 of which involved serious injury. Of these, 486 pedestrian accidents took place in Fort Worth, leading to 123 serious injuries.
The department’s data revealed that most of these accidents occurred in urban areas, with about a third taking place at night. Nearly 40 percent of the injured were older than 50, increasing concern about the safety and well-being of older adults, who may also be more prone to certain types of injuries, such as fractures.
It is our sincere hope that Fort Worth continues to provide better infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists and that our drivers increase their education and awareness to promote safety on the road. Meanwhile, in the face of driver negligence and roadway hazards, we strive diligently to protect the rights of injured Texans and provide legal assistance to help them move forward after unforeseen accidents.
Pedestrian Accidents Can Cause Serious Injury
Pedestrian safety is a serious concern in Texas and across the United States. In our car-dependent society, many drivers fail to notice pedestrians and cyclists in their path. Additionally, intoxicated and distracted drivers can pose grave safety hazards to others, especially pedestrians at intersections, parking lots, and crosswalks.
Lacking protection and sometimes visibility, pedestrians often sustain severe or even catastrophic injuries when motor vehicles hit them. Our personal injury lawyers know the host of complications that can result from such incidents and the long process of recovery that survivors and their families must endure.
Some of the injuries frequently sustained in pedestrian traffic accidents include:
Broken Bones
Collisions frequently cause these injuries. Fractures might range in severity from broken arms and legs to cheek, tooth, and jaw fractures. Those who experience facial trauma may require extensive dental work or reconstruction. These injuries, along with their severe pain, also require lengthy healing processes.
Cuts, Lacerations, and Bruises
Trauma to the skin, the body’s largest organ, can include road rash and lacerations that require emergency medical intervention or reconstructive surgery.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Head injuries, including concussions and severe brain injuries, are among the most distressing consequences of an accident. Those with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may experience confusion, emotional side effects, balance issues, and chronic headaches, dramatic cognitive impairments, and even permanent disabilities.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can affect various parts of the body and the nervous system, leading to impairments and consequences that can affect an individual for the rest of their life. Such injuries often require multiple surgeries, and patients may need assistive devices, mobility aids, or home modifications to perform daily tasks.
Our Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyers Can Fight for the Assistance You Need
Medical expenses are, no doubt, among the most costly elements in many personal injury cases. However, we recognize that in addition to your current and ongoing treatment costs, you will need to reckon with many other profound changes that an accident brings.
You will undoubtedly make finding support from your family and loved ones during this time your chief concern. Meanwhile, our legal team will get to work to ensure that you have the resources you need to accommodate all your financial needs.
Our Lawyers Work Hard to Recover Every Last Dollar
Many injured claimants don’t realize the true cost of their injuries until it’s too late. After a pedestrian accident, you may receive a settlement offer from the insurance company.
At first glance, this initial number may seem like more than enough to satisfy you. Or, perhaps you’ll recognize right away that your suffering is worth much more than what the company is prepared to give you.
In either case, you won’t know the true value of your claim until you consult a skilled Fort Worth pedestrian accident lawyer.
Our lawyers can file a personal injury claim after we assess the extent of your compensable damages, which may include:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, and long-term healthcare costs
- Property damage, if your accident resulted in the loss of personal property
- Lost income, including loss of future earning potential
- Non-economic losses, including emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment
- After the loss of a loved one, loss of consortium, loss of companionship, funeral and burial expenses, and other end-of-life costs
Filing a Wrongful Death Action After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident
Tragically, many Texans lose their lives to pedestrian accidents every year. If you suffered the unexpected loss of a family member or spouse to a negligent driver, you may seek compensation for wrongful death through the legal system.
Our attorneys are well-versed in this area of Texas personal injury law and can help you recover both financial and non-economic losses due to your loved one’s passing. In addition to the aforementioned damages, a surviving spouse, parent, or child may recover compensation for many other associated values with the help of a wrongful death attorney in Fort Worth, TX area.
How Our Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help Your Case?
Our attorneys will take the approach best suited to your unique needs and situation to begin the legal process. Generally, this starts with a free consultation, in which you can meet your prospective lawyer and discuss your accident in detail. You may ask questions about the claims process and what you can expect regarding your lawyer’s fee arrangement.
At The Francis Firm, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover a successful settlement or award for you.
Once our lawyers have a clear understanding of your case, our team will get to work preparing a strong claim on your behalf.
Investigating and Preparing Your Claim
Your pedestrian accident lawyer will take charge of a thorough investigation of your accident, recovering as much evidence as possible. This may involve looking at video or photographic evidence of the accident scene, speaking to witnesses, medical experts, and accident reconstructionists, and reviewing your medical history and treatment records.
Determining Liability for the Accident
Fault in a pedestrian accident case often revolves around a negligent driver whose actions directly caused your injury. However, establishing the cause of your accident and holding liable parties responsible for your damages requires the aid of a skilled lawyer who can present a compelling case using all available evidence.
More than one liable party can cause a pedestrian accident, in which case your attorney will investigate and pursue all potential avenues of compensation.
Negotiating and Communicating with the Insurance Company
You can expect our attorneys to take care of all necessary communications with the insurance company, and complete the associated paperwork and claims process for you. We will aim to retrieve a satisfactory settlement offer from the insurance company before filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit. However, should the insurer refuse to pay full and fair compensation for you during this stage, we will not hesitate to pursue more aggressive legal action.
Contact a Texas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
No matter how your injury occurred, as a pedestrian accident victim, you have undeniable rights. At The Francis Firm, we understand what’s at stake when an accident unexpectedly leaves you injured and unsure of what the future holds. Our lawyers are committed to standing with you and guiding you through the process toward recovering maximum compensation.
To learn more about your legal options, we invite you to call (817) 270-6418 or contact us as soon as possible for your free case evaluation. Our personal injury lawyers in Fort Worth, Texas are standing by and ready to assist you in your legal matter today.