Perhaps the most common type of pedestrian accident in Austin is one that occurs when a pedestrian is crossing the street. Indeed, this type of accident is much more common than one that happens when a pedestrian is walking alongside a roadway.

Pedestrian accidents are a serious problem, both in Austin and nationwide. In fact, an article published in USA Today reports that there were nearly 6,000 pedestrians killed in crashes across the country in 2017, a number that has remained consistently high over the past two years. In Texas, the rate of pedestrian death was the 13th-highest in the country.

Why Are Pedestrians Being Hit in Crossing Accidents?

Figuring out the mystery behind why more pedestrian accidents are occurring is crucial to reducing the number of these accidents. According to the same report cited above, some of the driving factors behind the uptick in pedestrian deaths are:

• Pedestrian use of mobile devices when crossing. When pedestrians use mobile devices to text, look at their screens, or even listen to music, they are distracted and have a tougher time seeing and hearing approaching motor vehicles. Using a mobile device while walking is especially risky in urban environments.
• Driver use of mobile devices behind the wheel. Not only is it dangerous when pedestrians use their phones, but when drivers use their devices when behind the wheel, the risks of collision increase. Distracted driving has increased with the ubiquity of the mobile device.
• Drugged driving and walking. In addition to more people using their phones when walking or driving, reports indicate that there are more drugged drivers and walkers. Drugs can undoubtedly impair judgment, thereby increasing the risk of crash.

While efforts are underway on both a national and state level (Texas Department of Transportation has launched the “Be Safe. Be Seen.” campaign, and reflective bags have been provided to school children and homeless persons, who are the two groups most at risk of pedestrian crash), individual efforts are critical. If you’re walking or driving in Austin, exercising caution–especially at crossing areas where crashes are most common–is paramount to safety.

What to Do If You’re in a Pedestrian Crossing Accident in Austin

If you are involved in a pedestrian crossing accident where you are acting as the pedestrian, it’s important to know what to do. First, you should seek medical care. If you are able to do so and injuries do not prevent it, you should collect any evidence at the scene that you can, including pictures of what happened and the names of any witnesses.

It is imperative that you follow your doctor’s instructions for treatment and that you keep a record of all of your medical bills. As soon as you are able to, you should reach out to a skilled lawyer for a consultation about your rights and options for recovering damages.

Robert Littlefield Buford III, Attorney at Law Can Help

If you’ve been in a pedestrian crossing accident, our lawyer can help you. Call Austin pedestrian crossing accident lawyer Robert Littlefield Buford III, Attorney at Law today for a free consultation and legal information. Our lawyer can help you seek a fair settlement for your injuries.

Austin is a great city for people who enjoy walking and biking. Unfortunately, pedestrians also need to be careful of the dangers posed by automobiles. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that there were 680 pedestrian fatalities in Texas in 2016. Many thousands more innocent pedestrians suffer severe injuries in crashes.

All Texas drivers have a legal duty to ensure the well-being of pedestrians. Too many drivers fail to take pedestrian safety into account. If you or your family member was injured as a pedestrian in Austin, it is imperative that you consult with an Austin pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible.

Four Common Pedestrian Accidents in Travis County, Texas

1. Left-Hand Turn Collisions

Drivers making unsafe left-hand turns are often the cause for many pedestrian accidents in Austin. This often occurs when drivers are attempting to beat oncoming traffic and are making quick lefts at times when there is not sufficient time to do so in a safe manner. When this happens, some drivers do not notice that a pedestrian is already in the crosswalk until it is too late. Left-hand turn pedestrian accidents can also be an issue at stop lights; there are some locations in the Austin area where the pedestrians are allowed to cross the street at the same time that vehicles are allowed to make left-hand turns.  

2. Unmarked Crosswalk Accidents

While Austin has added many marked crosswalks in recent years, there is still an enormous number of unmarked crosswalks throughout our city. Unmarked crosswalks that have regular foot traffic are high-risk areas for pedestrian accidents. When unmarked crosswalks are located at intersections, Austin drivers should yield the right of way to the pedestrians. Unfortunately, drivers do not always comply with this rule. When they fail to do so, the consequences can be catastrophic.

3. Distracted Driving Accidents

In many cases, pedestrian accidents occur because drivers take their attention off of the road. Some of the most common examples of distracted driving include texting while driving, talking on a cell phone, adjusting the radio, talking to a passenger, and daydreaming. In all cases, distracted driving puts pedestrians at serious risk.

4. Late Night Pedestrian Collisions

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 70 percent of pedestrian accidents happen in the dark. This figure is especially striking when you consider the fact that there are far more people (and cars) on the roads during the day. While drivers have a duty to take extra precautions to watch for pedestrians and cyclists at night, this does not always happen. Nighttime pedestrian crashes are a serious problem in Texas.

Get Help From an Austin, TX Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If you sustained any injuries in a pedestrian collision, the negligent driver should be held legally responsible for your injuries. Robert Littlefield Buford III is an experienced Austin pedestrian accident lawyer who has helped many injured victims recover the financial compensation that they deserve. To get a free, no-obligation personal injury consultation, please do not hesitate to contact our Austin, TX law office at (512) 710-1057.

Austin isn’t well-known for its pedestrian and bicycle-friendly roads. The downtown district of Austin may be walkable due to its high volume of foot traffic associated with people going to and from work, but other areas of the city are notorious for being dangerous or even deadly to pedestrians. With nearly 20 to 30 pedestrian fatalities each year in Austin, and many more injured in pedestrian accidents, this presents a problem for those who are interested in methods of commute that don’t involve motor vehicles. For those interested in walking or biking in Austin, I have delineated what you need to know and what you should do to avoid a pedestrian accident. I have also specified what you should do if you or a loved one gets in an accident. As a pedestrian accident attorney in Austin, I have extensive experience in helping people and families that are suffering from injury or fatality. After reading this guide, make sure to contact me and receive a free consultation about your case.

General Statistics of Pedestrian Accidents in Austin

Historically, the month with the highest number of fatalities in Austin is generally June. There is no specific reason for this, but we can extrapolate that it is because summer is closely approaching but hasn’t reached its peak. This means more people are outside enjoying the outdoors and looking for alternative ways to commute to work or are simply walking and biking for recreation. Regardless the time of year, most Austin fatalities happen on the weekends, and more pedestrians are fatally injured than bicyclists.

Lessons Austin Pedestrians Need to Know

These simple facts teach can teach us a lot about pedestrian accidents in Austin. The first is that it is important to recognize and avoid dangerous roads in a commute, such as I-35, and to make sure you are paying attention to your surroundings in even seemingly innocuous neighborhoods. The second lesson is either to avoid walking/biking on the weekends due to the increased traffic (with nearly a million people out running errands) or make sure to avoid vehicle-dense areas while on foot. The last lesson we can learn is to be even more careful when you are on foot than when you are on a bike. Bikers, aside from being generally more noticeable than pedestrians, also wear head gear – or at least they should – that can protect them in the event of an accident. Pedestrians are much worse off in an accident because not only can they suffer major head trauma, the risk of being dragged beneath a car is much greater.

To stay safe, pedestrians should walk on sidewalks as much as possible. If there is no sidewalk, pedestrians should face oncoming traffic in order to see and avoid potential vehicle threats. When crossing roads, especially in congested areas, but even in residential neighborhoods, it is important to use crosswalks and to heed stop lights. Event with a “walk” light, pedestrians should look to make sure that cars which are turning see them by making eye contact and being wary of their surroundings.

What to Do If You or a Loved One Gets in an Accident

Sometimes, regardless the precautions pedestrians take, negligent drivers still cause accidents resulting in death or other major injuries (such as broken bones, fractured skulls, brain damage, etc.). The medical costs, the emotional turmoil of an accident, the funeral expenses, and much more are very stressful and can cause major concern for families and injured individuals. If you are injured as a pedestrian or if a loved one has died in a pedestrian accident, you have rights and a claim to compensation. It has been proven time and again that hiring an Austin pedestrian accident attorney will get you a better compensation to help pay for medical bills, funeral costs, lost wages, and overall pain and suffering, which is why it is important to call me in the event of your accident. An attorney such as myself will know the ins and outs of insurance systems and different avenues to protect your rights and secure benefits that belong to you.

Don’t Wait

The sooner you contact me, the sooner you will be able to claim your compensation, peace of mind, and knowledge that you have people who are willing to fight for you. Call me today for a free consultation if you or a loved one has gotten into an accident. Most importantly, stay safe and walk carefully!