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Pedestrians have no airbags, no seatbelts, and no steel frame to absorb a collision. When a driver hits a person on foot, the injuries are almost always severe. If you or someone you love was struck by a vehicle in the Dallas area, you need to understand your rights under Texas law, and you need an attorney who will fight to protect them. At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, based in Denton, Texas, we represent pedestrian accident victims throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.
Table of Contents
- The Pedestrian Accident Problem in Dallas and the Surrounding Area
- Texas Laws That Protect Pedestrians on Dallas Roads
- Who Is Liable After a Pedestrian Accident in Dallas?
- Injuries Common in Pedestrian Accidents and What They Are Worth
- What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Dallas
- FAQs About Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Dallas
The Pedestrian Accident Problem in Dallas and the Surrounding Area
Dallas is one of the most dangerous cities in the country for people on foot. Although pedestrians are involved in only one percent of traffic crashes in Texas, they account for 19 percent of all roadway fatalities. In 2024, there were 6,095 crashes involving pedestrians across the state, resulting in 772 pedestrian deaths, and another 1,455 pedestrians were seriously injured. Those numbers reflect real people, not just statistics. They reflect families torn apart near busy corridors like I-35E, US-75, and the Dallas North Tollway, as well as on surface streets running through neighborhoods like Oak Cliff, East Dallas, and Uptown.
Year-over-year, pedestrian deaths nationally were down 4.3% in 2024, the second consecutive annual decline. However, pedestrian fatalities remain nearly 20% above the 2016 level and reached a 40-year high in 2022. Progress is real but slow, and the danger on Dallas streets has not disappeared. The share of nighttime deaths has increased sharply in recent years. Fatal pedestrian crashes at night rose 84% between 2010 and 2023, compared to a 28% increase in daytime fatalities. If you were hit while walking near Denton’s downtown square, along University Drive near UNT, or anywhere in the greater Dallas area after dark, the odds were already stacked against you before a careless driver made them worse.
Pedestrian accidents in the Dallas area often happen at intersections, in parking lots, and in crosswalks, the very places where pedestrians should be safest. Distracted drivers, drunk drivers, and speeding drivers all contribute to this crisis. If a negligent driver caused your injuries, the law gives you the right to pursue compensation. The personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys are ready to help you exercise that right.
Texas Laws That Protect Pedestrians on Dallas Roads
Texas law places clear duties on drivers to protect people on foot. Understanding these laws helps you know when a driver broke the rules and caused your accident. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 552.003, a driver must stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk when no traffic control signal is in place, if the pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the road or approaching closely enough to be in danger. That same section also prohibits a driver approaching from behind a stopped vehicle from passing it if that vehicle stopped to let a pedestrian cross.
Texas Transportation Code Section 552.002 adds another layer of protection. When a pedestrian control signal shows “Walk,” vehicles must stop and yield. A driver who blows through a crosswalk signal and hits someone has broken the law, plain and simple. Under Section 552.008, drivers must exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian on a roadway, sound their horn when necessary, and take extra precautions around children or anyone who appears confused or incapacitated.
Texas also enacted Transportation Code Section 545.428 through Senate Bill 1055 in 2021. This law makes it a criminal offense for a driver to operate a motor vehicle within the area of a crosswalk and cause bodily injury to a pedestrian through criminal negligence. The offense is a Class A misdemeanor, and it rises to a state jail felony if the pedestrian suffers serious bodily injury. A criminal charge against the driver does not automatically get you compensated, but it does create a powerful record of fault that supports your civil claim. A car accident lawyer at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can show you how that evidence works in your favor.
Under Section 552.006, drivers exiting alleys, driveways, or private roads must stop and yield to pedestrians on adjacent sidewalks. This provision matters in busy areas like Deep Ellum or the Cedars neighborhood in Dallas, where vehicles frequently cut across sidewalks to enter parking areas. If a driver failed to yield and hit you on a sidewalk, that is a clear violation of Texas law.
Who Is Liable After a Pedestrian Accident in Dallas?
Liability in a pedestrian accident depends on who acted carelessly and caused the crash. In most cases, the driver who struck the pedestrian is at fault. But Texas law uses a modified comparative fault system under Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. This means that even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. Your total compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. So if a jury finds you 20 percent responsible and awards $200,000, you receive $160,000.
Drivers are not always the only liable party. If the driver was working at the time of the accident, their employer may share liability under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. If a defective traffic signal, a missing crosswalk, or a poorly designed road contributed to the crash, a government entity or contractor could be responsible. In Dallas, roads and intersections are maintained by the City of Dallas and TxDOT, and both can face claims under certain conditions. Filing a claim against a government entity requires strict compliance with the Texas Tort Claims Act, including notice deadlines that are shorter than the standard two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
Insurance companies will often argue that the pedestrian was jaywalking, distracted, or otherwise at fault. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 552.005, pedestrians who cross outside a crosswalk must yield to vehicles. But yielding the right-of-way does not mean drivers have a free pass to hit people. Drivers still owe a duty of care under Section 552.008 regardless of where the pedestrian was crossing. An car accident attorney at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys knows how to push back against these arguments and build a strong case for full compensation.
Injuries Common in Pedestrian Accidents and What They Are Worth
A pedestrian struck by a vehicle at even moderate speed can suffer life-altering injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious, often caused by the victim’s head striking the vehicle hood, windshield, or pavement. Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis. Broken bones, internal injuries, severe lacerations, and road rash are also common. Many victims also develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that affects their daily lives long after the physical wounds heal.
The value of your pedestrian accident case depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, lost income, and the impact on your quality of life. Compensation in Texas personal injury cases can include medical bills (past and future), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage. In cases involving gross negligence, such as a drunk driver or a driver who was texting, you may also be entitled to punitive damages under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.003.
Texas does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, meaning there is no legal limit on what a jury can award for pain and suffering. However, the facts of your case, the strength of your evidence, and the skill of your legal team all affect the outcome. No attorney can guarantee a specific result, and every case is different. What we can tell you is that Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. If you were injured near Denton’s Rayzor Ranch area, the UNT campus, or anywhere in Dallas County, call us at (940) 800-2500. A car accident lawyer serving the Irving and Dallas area is ready to review your case.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Dallas
The steps you take after a pedestrian accident directly affect your ability to recover compensation. First, call 911 immediately. You need a police report, and you need emergency medical care. Even if you feel okay at the scene, adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Go to the hospital or an urgent care clinic the same day. A gap in medical treatment gives insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else.
At the scene, if you are physically able, gather as much information as possible. Get the driver’s name, license plate number, insurance information, and contact details for any witnesses. Take photos of the vehicle, the crosswalk or road, any skid marks, traffic signals, and your injuries. TxDOT collects crash data through the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3 form), and that report becomes a key piece of evidence in your claim. Ask the responding officer for the crash report number so you can obtain a copy later.
Do not give a recorded statement to the driver’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions that shift blame onto you. They may sound friendly, but their goal is to minimize the payout. Texas law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under the statute of limitations in Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, but waiting too long can cause you to lose critical evidence. Contact a car accident lawyer serving Denton and the Dallas area as soon as possible after your accident. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys offers free consultations and can get to work on your case right away. You can also reach a car accident attorney at our firm if you were injured in or around the Gainesville corridor heading into the Dallas metro area.
FAQs About Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Dallas
Can I still recover compensation if I was crossing outside a crosswalk when I was hit?
Yes, in many cases you can. Texas uses a modified comparative fault system, so even if you were partially at fault for crossing mid-block, you can still recover damages as long as your fault does not exceed 50 percent. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 552.008, drivers owe a duty of care to all pedestrians on the road, regardless of where they are crossing. The driver’s speed, distraction, or impairment may far outweigh any fault attributed to you. An attorney can evaluate the specific facts of your case and give you an honest assessment of your options.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. If your claim involves a government entity, such as a city or TxDOT, the deadlines are shorter and the notice requirements are strict. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim. Do not wait to contact an attorney after a pedestrian accident.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured?
Texas law requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but many do not comply. If the driver who hit you has no insurance, you may be able to recover through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage if your auto policy includes it. Texas law allows pedestrians to make UM claims on their own auto policies in some circumstances. You may also have other legal options depending on the facts of your case. An attorney can review your insurance policies and identify every available source of compensation.
Do pedestrian accident cases go to trial?
Most personal injury cases, including pedestrian accident claims, settle before trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, filing a lawsuit and taking the case to trial may be the best path forward. At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. That preparation often produces better settlement offers from insurers who know we are ready to fight in court. Every case is different, and no attorney can promise a specific outcome.
How much does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys?
Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no out-of-pocket expenses during the case. When we recover money on your behalf, our fee is a percentage of that recovery, which will be explained clearly before you sign anything. Call (940) 800-2500 to schedule your free consultation today.
Attorney responsible for this content: Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, principal office located in Denton, Texas. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any other matter. Each case depends on its own unique facts and applicable law.
