Colleyville Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

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Every year, pedestrians in the Colleyville area are seriously hurt by drivers who fail to pay attention, speed through crosswalks, or ignore the right-of-way laws that exist to protect people on foot. If you or someone you love was struck by a vehicle while walking, you have legal rights under Texas law, and the clock is already running on your deadline to act. The personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys in Denton, Texas, represent pedestrian accident victims throughout the DFW region, including Colleyville, and are ready to fight for the full compensation you deserve. Call us today at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.

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How Dangerous Pedestrian Accidents Really Are in Texas

Pedestrian accidents in Texas are far deadlier than most people realize. Pedestrians are involved in only one percent of traffic crashes in Texas, yet they account for 19 percent of all roadway fatalities. That gap tells you everything about how unprotected a person on foot is when a vehicle strikes them.

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. These are not just numbers. Each one represents a real person, a real family, and a life that was changed in an instant.

In 2024, approximately 77 percent of pedestrian deaths happened after dark. Colleyville residents who walk near busy corridors like Colleyville Boulevard, Hall-Johnson Road, or along State Highway 26 near the Colleyville Town Center face real risk, especially in the evening hours when visibility drops and driver attention fades.

The injuries pedestrians suffer are almost always severe. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal bleeding are common outcomes when a person is struck by a vehicle traveling at even moderate speeds. Unlike car-on-car crashes, a pedestrian has no metal frame, no airbag, and no seatbelt to absorb the force of impact. The human body simply was not built to withstand a collision with a two-ton vehicle.

If you were hit by a car near Colleyville’s Town Center, the Bransford Road corridor, or anywhere else in the area, the injuries you are dealing with right now may be just the beginning of a long and costly recovery. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can help you understand your options. Call (940) 800-2500 today.

Texas Laws That Protect Pedestrians and Establish Driver Fault

Texas Transportation Code Chapter 552 sets out clear rules that protect pedestrians and place firm duties on drivers. Understanding these laws is the foundation of any pedestrian accident claim.

Under Texas Transportation Code Section 552.003, a driver must stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing a roadway in a crosswalk when no traffic control signal is in place and the pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the roadway, or is approaching closely enough from the opposite side to be in danger. This statute also prohibits a driver approaching from the rear of a stopped vehicle from passing that vehicle if it has stopped to let a pedestrian cross.

Section 552.008 goes even further. It requires every driver to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian on a roadway, to sound the horn when necessary, and to take proper precautions when observing a child or an obviously confused or incapacitated person on the road. This duty of care exists regardless of whether the pedestrian is in a crosswalk.

Texas Transportation Code Section 545.428, added by Senate Bill 1055 in 2021 and amended in 2023, makes it a criminal offense when a driver operates a vehicle within the area of a crosswalk with criminal negligence and causes bodily injury to a pedestrian. That offense rises to a state jail felony if the pedestrian suffers serious bodily injury. A criminal charge against the driver is powerful evidence in your civil claim for damages.

Under Section 552.005, a pedestrian who crosses at a location other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield to vehicles. However, even in that situation, the driver’s duty to exercise due care under Section 552.008 does not disappear. A driver who hits a pedestrian outside a crosswalk may still be liable if they were speeding, distracted, or otherwise acting negligently.

These statutes form the legal backbone of most pedestrian accident claims in Colleyville. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys knows how to use them to build a strong case on your behalf.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Colleyville

Most pedestrian accidents in Colleyville are caused by driver negligence, not by pedestrian error. Recognizing the most common causes helps establish fault and supports your claim for compensation.

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes. A driver who is texting, adjusting a GPS, or looking at their phone for even a few seconds can travel the full length of a crosswalk without ever seeing a person in it. Colleyville’s shopping corridors near the Town Center and the John McCain Road area see heavy traffic, and distracted drivers in those zones are a serious hazard.

Speeding is another major factor. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 40 miles per hour faces a dramatically higher risk of death than one hit at 20 miles per hour. Drivers who exceed posted speed limits on roads like Glade Road or Colleyville Boulevard reduce their ability to stop in time when a pedestrian enters the roadway.

Failure to yield at crosswalks is a direct violation of Texas Transportation Code Section 552.003. Many drivers roll through unmarked intersections or fail to check for pedestrians before making a right turn on red. Near schools like Colleyville Heritage High School or Bransford Elementary, this behavior puts children at serious risk.

Drunk driving is also a significant cause of pedestrian fatalities, particularly at night. Drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs have slower reaction times and reduced awareness. If a drunk driver struck you, you may have a claim not only for compensatory damages but also for punitive damages under Texas law.

Poor visibility conditions, inadequate street lighting, and vehicles pulling out of driveways without checking for pedestrians on the sidewalk all contribute to accidents as well. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 552.006, a driver emerging from a private driveway must stop and yield to a pedestrian on the adjacent sidewalk. Violations of this rule are common and often devastating.

What Compensation You Can Recover After a Colleyville Pedestrian Accident

Texas law allows pedestrian accident victims to seek compensation for the full range of losses caused by a negligent driver. Knowing what you can recover helps you understand the true value of your claim.

Economic damages cover your measurable financial losses. These include current and future medical bills, emergency room costs, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any medical equipment you need. If your injuries keep you out of work, you can recover lost wages. If your earning capacity is permanently reduced, you can recover the difference in what you would have earned over your working life.

Non-economic damages cover losses that do not come with a price tag but are just as real. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship for a spouse are all recoverable under Texas law. Pedestrian accident injuries, which often include traumatic brain injuries and catastrophic orthopedic damage, can cause lasting pain and permanent changes to a person’s quality of life.

In cases involving drunk driving or other grossly negligent conduct, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.003 allows a court to award punitive damages, also called exemplary damages. These are designed to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.

Texas uses a modified comparative fault system under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.003. This statute determines the percentage of responsibility assigned to each party. If you are found to be 50 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover damages. If you are less than 50 percent at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto pedestrians to reduce their payout. Having an attorney on your side protects you from that tactic.

Every case is different, and past results in other cases do not guarantee the same outcome in yours. What Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can promise is a thorough investigation, honest advice, and aggressive advocacy at every stage of your case. Call (940) 800-2500 to talk about what your claim may be worth.

The Deadline to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Texas

Texas law sets a firm deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a pedestrian accident. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to recover any compensation at all.

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. This two-year period is called the statute of limitations. If a loved one died as a result of the accident, Section 16.003(b) gives the family two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.

Two years may sound like plenty of time, but it goes faster than you think. Building a strong pedestrian accident case takes time. Your attorney needs to gather the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3 form) filed with TxDOT, preserve surveillance footage before it is erased, identify and interview witnesses, obtain medical records, and work with accident reconstruction experts if needed. All of that takes months.

There are limited exceptions to the two-year deadline. If the injured person is a minor, the clock generally does not start until they turn 18. If the at-fault driver left the scene and their identity is unknown, different rules may apply. However, you should never count on an exception to save your case. The safest approach is to contact an attorney as soon as possible after the accident.

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys serves clients in Colleyville and throughout the DFW area from our Denton office. Cases in this region are filed in the Tarrant County courts in Fort Worth, where the Tarrant County Courthouse handles civil litigation for Colleyville residents. Our team knows those courts and is ready to represent you. Do not wait. Call (940) 800-2500 today.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Colleyville

The steps you take immediately after a pedestrian accident in Colleyville can directly affect the strength of your legal claim. Acting quickly and carefully protects both your health and your rights.

Call 911 right away. You need both emergency medical services and a police officer to respond to the scene. The responding officer will complete a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report, known as a CR-3 form, which is submitted to TxDOT and becomes a key piece of evidence in your case. This report documents the officer’s observations, the parties involved, and any traffic violations noted at the scene.

Accept medical treatment, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline after a traumatic event can mask pain. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and spinal damage may not produce obvious symptoms right away. Seeking prompt medical care creates a medical record that connects your injuries to the accident. Delaying treatment gives the insurance company a reason to argue your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else.

Gather evidence if you are physically able. Take photos of the scene, the vehicle that struck you, the crosswalk or roadway, any skid marks, and your visible injuries. Get the driver’s name, insurance information, and license plate number. Collect contact information from any witnesses. If there are businesses nearby, such as along Colleyville Boulevard or near Glade Road, security cameras may have captured the accident on video. That footage can disappear quickly.

Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that can be used to minimize your claim or shift fault onto you.

Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys as soon as possible. Our team can take over the investigation, communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, and make sure your rights are protected from day one. Call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

FAQs About Colleyville Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Do I have a case if I was hit by a car while crossing outside a marked crosswalk?

You may still have a valid claim. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 552.008, every driver has a duty to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian on a roadway, regardless of whether that pedestrian is in a crosswalk. If the driver was speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent, they may be liable even if you were crossing mid-block. Texas uses a modified comparative fault system under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.003, so your recovery may be reduced if you share some responsibility, but you can still recover as long as your fault is below 50 percent. An attorney can review the facts of your case and give you an honest assessment.

How long does a Colleyville pedestrian accident case take to resolve?

The timeline varies depending on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Cases involving serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or fractures requiring surgery, often take longer because it is important to understand the full extent of your medical needs before settling. Some cases resolve within several months through negotiation with the insurance company. Others require filing a lawsuit in Tarrant County and may take a year or more. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys will keep you informed at every step and work efficiently to reach the best possible outcome in your case.

What if the driver who hit me did not have insurance?

Texas law requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but not every driver complies. If the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to file a claim under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage if you have it. Texas does not require drivers to carry UM/UIM coverage, but many policies include it. An attorney can review your insurance policy and explore all available sources of compensation, which may include the driver’s personal assets or other liable parties such as a vehicle owner who allowed an uninsured driver to use their car.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the accident?

Yes, as long as your share of fault is less than 51 percent. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.003 governs proportionate responsibility in personal injury cases. Under this rule, your damages are reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if a jury finds you were 20 percent at fault and your total damages are $200,000, you would recover $160,000. Insurance companies routinely try to inflate a pedestrian’s percentage of fault to reduce their payout. Having an attorney who knows how to counter those arguments is essential to protecting your full recovery.

Does Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys charge upfront fees for pedestrian accident cases?

No. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless and until we recover compensation for you. You will not receive a bill just for consulting with us or for the work we do on your case. This arrangement allows injured pedestrians to access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. To get started, call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation with no obligation.

Content prepared by Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, whose principal office is located in Denton, Texas. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case, as each matter depends on its own facts and applicable law.

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