Justin Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

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Pedestrian accidents in Justin, Texas, can happen in an instant, but the injuries they leave behind can last a lifetime. Justin sits in Denton County along FM 156, a stretch of road that sees steady traffic from commuters traveling between the Fort Worth metro area and the growing communities north of Denton. As the town continues to grow and more people walk near busy roads, intersections, and commercial areas, the risk of a pedestrian being struck by a negligent driver stays real. If you or someone you love was hit by a vehicle while walking in or around Justin, Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.

Table of Contents

Why Pedestrian Accidents in Justin, Texas Are So Dangerous

Pedestrians have no protection between themselves and a vehicle. No seatbelt, no airbag, no steel frame. When a driver fails to stop, fails to yield, or simply is not paying attention, the person on foot takes the full force of the impact. That reality makes pedestrian crashes among the most physically devastating accidents on Texas roads.

Although pedestrians are involved in only one percent of traffic crashes in Texas, they account for 19 percent of all roadway fatalities. That gap between involvement and outcome tells you everything about how vulnerable people on foot really are. In 2024, there were 6,095 crashes involving pedestrians in Texas, resulting in 772 pedestrian deaths, and another 1,455 pedestrians were seriously injured.

Nighttime hours are especially dangerous for pedestrians in the Justin area and across Denton County. In 2024, approximately 77% of pedestrian deaths happened after dark. FM 156, which runs through Justin, has limited lighting in several stretches. Drivers traveling at highway speeds may not see a pedestrian until it is too late, especially near driveways, rural intersections, and areas without marked crosswalks.

Distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving are the leading causes of pedestrian accidents throughout Denton County. Drivers who are texting, adjusting a radio, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs create life-threatening conditions for anyone walking nearby. These are not accidents in the true sense of the word. They are the predictable results of dangerous choices behind the wheel, and Texas law holds those drivers accountable.

If you were hit by a driver near Justin’s town center, along FM 156, near Justin Elementary, or anywhere else in the area, your injuries are serious and your legal rights matter. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles pedestrian accident cases throughout Denton County and is prepared to fight for you.

Texas Laws That Protect Pedestrians and Establish Driver Duties

Texas law gives pedestrians specific rights and places clear duties on drivers. Understanding these rules helps you see why a driver who strikes a pedestrian is often legally at fault, even if that driver claims they did not see the person walking.

Under Texas Transportation Code Section 552.003, drivers must stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk when no traffic control signal is present and the pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the roadway or close enough to be in danger. A driver approaching from behind another vehicle that has already stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian is also prohibited from passing that stopped vehicle. This rule protects pedestrians who may be blocked from a driver’s view by larger vehicles, a common hazard near Justin’s commercial areas.

Texas Transportation Code Section 552.008 goes further. It requires every driver to exercise due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian on a roadway, to sound the horn when necessary as a warning, and to take proper precautions when they see a child or a visibly confused or incapacitated person on the road. This duty of care exists regardless of where the pedestrian is walking.

Texas Transportation Code Section 545.428 addresses crosswalk collisions directly. A driver who operates a vehicle within the area of a crosswalk with criminal negligence and causes bodily injury to a pedestrian commits a Class A misdemeanor. If the pedestrian suffers serious bodily injury, the offense rises to a state jail felony. These criminal consequences run parallel to the civil liability the injured person can pursue.

Pedestrians also carry responsibilities. Under Section 552.005, a pedestrian crossing outside a marked crosswalk or unmarked intersection crosswalk must yield to vehicles. Under Section 552.006, a pedestrian must use an available sidewalk rather than walking in the road. Even when a pedestrian shares some responsibility, Texas law may still allow them to recover compensation. That analysis is something the attorneys at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can walk you through in detail.

Damages You Can Recover After a Justin Pedestrian Accident

A pedestrian accident claim in Texas can cover a wide range of financial and personal losses. The goal of a personal injury claim is to make you as financially whole as possible after someone else’s negligence turned your life upside down. Knowing what types of compensation are available helps you understand the full value of your case.

Medical expenses are typically the largest category of damages. This includes emergency room costs, ambulance fees, surgeries, hospitalizations, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any future medical care you will need because of your injuries. Pedestrian accidents frequently cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal organ injuries, all of which require long-term treatment. Catastrophic injuries like these can result in medical bills that stretch into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Lost wages and lost earning capacity are also recoverable. If your injuries kept you from working, you can claim the income you missed during your recovery. If your injuries permanently reduced your ability to earn a living, that future loss of income is also part of your claim. This is especially important for workers in physically demanding jobs who may no longer be able to return to their previous occupation.

Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries. Texas law allows injured people to seek these non-economic damages, which can be significant in serious pedestrian accident cases. You may also recover for loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and permanent disability.

In cases where a driver’s conduct was especially reckless, such as a drunk driver who struck a pedestrian near Justin’s residential neighborhoods, Texas courts may award exemplary (punitive) damages. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee the same outcome in any other matter. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys will evaluate the specific facts of your situation to help you understand what your claim may be worth.

How Texas Comparative Fault Rules Affect Your Justin Pedestrian Accident Claim

Insurance companies defending pedestrian accident claims almost always try to shift some or all of the blame onto the injured pedestrian. They may claim you were jaywalking, wearing dark clothing at night, or not paying attention. Texas law addresses this directly through its modified comparative fault system, and understanding how it works is essential before you accept any settlement offer.

Texas follows the 51 percent rule under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. This rule means you can recover compensation as long as your percentage of fault for the accident is 50 percent or less. If you are found to be 51 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing. If you are found to be, say, 20 percent at fault, your total compensation is reduced by 20 percent. So if your damages total $200,000 and you are found 20 percent at fault, you receive $160,000.

This rule makes it critical to have strong legal representation from the start. Insurance adjusters are trained to build a case that inflates your share of the fault. They may point to Section 552.005 of the Texas Transportation Code, which requires pedestrians to yield when crossing outside a crosswalk, as evidence that you caused the accident. A skilled attorney knows how to counter these arguments with evidence, witness statements, surveillance footage, and accident reconstruction analysis.

Even if you were not in a crosswalk when you were hit, Texas Transportation Code Section 552.008 still required that driver to exercise due care to avoid hitting you. The driver’s duty does not disappear simply because you were crossing at a point other than a crosswalk. Working with personal injury lawyers who understand how to apply these statutes to your specific facts can make a decisive difference in the outcome of your case.

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys investigates every pedestrian accident claim thoroughly. We gather the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3), pull available traffic camera footage, interview witnesses, and work with experts when needed to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

The Deadline to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Texas

Time is one of the most important factors in any pedestrian accident case. Texas law sets a firm deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit, and missing it almost certainly ends your ability to recover any compensation at all.

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, a person must bring suit for personal injury not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues. For most pedestrian accident victims in Justin, that clock starts on the day of the accident. Two years sounds like a long time, but it passes quickly when you are focused on medical treatment and recovery.

There are narrow exceptions to this two-year rule. If the injured person is a minor, the two-year statute of limitations clock does not begin until their 18th birthday, effectively giving them until their 20th birthday to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your injury was caused by a government entity, such as a city, county, or state agency, the deadlines are much shorter and stricter. Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, you often have just 180 days from the accident date to provide a written notice of your claim. Missing that notice requirement can bar your case even if the two-year window has not yet closed.

For wrongful death claims, a person must bring suit not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues, and the cause of action accrues on the death of the injured person. Families who lost a loved one in a Justin pedestrian accident need to act quickly to protect their rights under Texas law.

Beyond the legal deadline, acting early protects your evidence. Surveillance footage from businesses near the accident scene gets overwritten. Witnesses move away. Physical evidence at the crash site changes. The sooner you contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500, the better positioned your legal team will be to build a strong case. We serve clients throughout Justin, Denton, Northlake, Rhome, and the surrounding Denton County communities, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover for you.

FAQs About Justin Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

What should I do immediately after being hit by a car as a pedestrian in Justin, Texas?

Call 911 right away, even if you think your injuries are minor. Get a police report filed at the scene. Accept medical attention, and go to an emergency room or urgent care center as soon as possible. Pedestrian injuries are often more serious than they appear immediately after impact. Take photographs of the scene, your injuries, and the vehicle involved if you are physically able to do so. Get the driver’s name, insurance information, and contact details for any witnesses. Then call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 before speaking with any insurance company. Anything you say to an insurer can be used to reduce or deny your claim.

Can I still recover compensation if I was not in a crosswalk when I was hit?

Yes, you may still be able to recover compensation. Texas Transportation Code Section 552.008 requires all drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian on a roadway, regardless of where the pedestrian is walking. Texas also uses a modified comparative fault system, so you can still recover damages as long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less. Your total compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can review the specific facts of your accident to determine how fault is likely to be allocated and what your claim may be worth.

How long does a pedestrian accident case in Texas typically take to resolve?

There is no single answer to this question because every case is different. Some pedestrian accident claims settle within several months after an investigation is complete and medical treatment has stabilized. Cases involving disputed liability, severe injuries, or uncooperative insurance companies may take longer and could require filing a lawsuit in Denton County District Court. The important thing is not to rush a settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries. Settling too early can leave you without compensation for future medical costs and long-term losses. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys will keep you informed at every stage and advise you on the right time to resolve your claim.

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

Texas law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, but not all drivers comply. If the driver who struck you was uninsured or left the scene, you may still have options. Your own auto insurance policy may include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which can pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages even when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified. Texas law allows you to stack UM coverage in certain situations. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can review your insurance policies and help you identify every available source of compensation after a hit-and-run or uninsured driver accident in Justin.

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. That means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no out-of-pocket expenses during the case. This arrangement allows injured pedestrians and their families to access experienced legal representation without worrying about how to pay for it while they are already dealing with medical bills and lost income. Call us at (940) 800-2500 to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help with your Justin pedestrian accident claim.

Content prepared by Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, principal office located in Denton, Texas. This page is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any other matter. Each case is evaluated on its own facts and applicable law.

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