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.
