Sanger Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrians in Sanger, Texas have no metal frame or airbags protecting them when a driver makes a careless mistake. A car hitting a person on foot can cause broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, or death, and the financial and emotional toll on a family can be overwhelming. If you or someone you love was hurt while walking near the Sanger town square, along FM 455, or anywhere else in Denton County, you have legal rights under Texas law. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, based in Denton, Texas, represents pedestrian accident victims throughout the area and can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.

Table of Contents

• How Dangerous Are Pedestrian Accidents in Texas and Sanger?
• Texas Laws That Protect Pedestrians and Hold Drivers Accountable
• Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Sanger, Texas
• What Compensation Can a Pedestrian Accident Victim Recover in Texas?
• The Deadline to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Texas
• Why Sanger Pedestrian Accident Victims Choose Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys
• FAQs About Sanger Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

How Dangerous Are Pedestrian Accidents in Texas and Sanger?

Texas roads are among the most dangerous 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 statewide, resulting in 772 pedestrian deaths, and another 1,455 pedestrians were seriously injured. Those numbers represent real people, real families, and real suffering.

Sanger sits along I-35, one of the busiest corridors in North Texas. Drivers moving at highway speeds through town, combined with limited pedestrian infrastructure in some areas, create serious hazards for people walking near businesses on Chapman Drive, crossing near Sanger High School, or heading toward Veterans Park. Growth in Denton County has also brought more traffic to roads that were not always built with pedestrian safety in mind.

Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities account for one in five of all traffic deaths in Texas. In 2024, the most recent complete year for which data is available, 772 pedestrians and 80 bicyclists were killed on Texas roadways. Even when pedestrian accidents are not fatal, they frequently result in catastrophic injuries that require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and time away from work.

The Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3) is the official document that law enforcement uses to record reportable crash data collected and processed by the Texas Department of Transportation. This report becomes a key piece of evidence in any pedestrian injury claim, and securing it quickly matters. If you were hit by a car in Sanger, do not wait to get legal help. The attorneys at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys know how to use this evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.

Texas Laws That Protect Pedestrians and Hold Drivers Accountable

Texas law places clear duties on drivers to protect people on foot, and those duties are enforceable in both criminal court and civil court. Understanding these laws helps you see exactly where a driver’s responsibility begins and what happens when they fail to meet it.

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 operating and the pedestrian is in the driver’s lane or approaching closely from the other side. The law also prohibits drivers coming from behind a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk from passing that stopped vehicle, which is a rule that many drivers ignore.

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 their horn when necessary, and to take proper precautions when they see a child or a person who appears confused or incapacitated. This duty of care applies everywhere, not just at crosswalks.

When a driver injures a pedestrian specifically within a crosswalk area, Texas Transportation Code Section 545.428 applies. Under this statute, a person commits a criminal offense if they operate a motor vehicle within the area of a crosswalk and, with criminal negligence, cause bodily injury to a pedestrian. That offense is a Class A misdemeanor, but it becomes a state jail felony if the pedestrian suffers serious bodily injury. A criminal charge does not automatically win you a civil case, but it is powerful evidence of fault.

Texas also updated Chapter 552 of the Transportation Code in 2025 through Senate Bill 2039, adding protections for sidewalk users. Under new Section 552.0035, drivers must stop and yield to a sidewalk user crossing in a crosswalk under the same conditions that apply to pedestrians. These updates show that Texas continues to strengthen protections for people on foot. As personal injury lawyers who follow Texas law closely, the team at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys applies these statutes directly to your case.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Sanger, Texas

Most pedestrian accidents in Sanger are preventable. They happen because a driver made a choice, whether conscious or careless, that put someone else’s life at risk. Knowing the most common causes helps you understand what went wrong and who is responsible.

Distracted driving is the leading cause of pedestrian crashes in Texas. A driver who glances at their phone for just a few seconds near the intersection of Bolivar Street and 5th Street in Sanger can travel the length of a football field without looking at the road. That is more than enough distance to hit someone crossing legally.

Speeding is another major factor. Drivers heading south on I-35 through Sanger or cutting through residential streets near Sanger Elementary School sometimes treat local roads like open highway. The faster a vehicle is moving, the less time a driver has to react, and the more severe the impact on a pedestrian.

Drunk and impaired driving also plays a significant role. Pedestrian accidents involving drunk drivers are more common at night and on weekends, and the injuries tend to be catastrophic. Cases involving a drunk driver overlap with the kind of claims our attorneys also handle in drunk driving accident cases throughout Denton County.

Failure to yield at crosswalks is another frequent cause. Drivers turning right on red near the Sanger Walmart on Chapman Drive, for example, often focus on oncoming traffic and never check for pedestrians stepping off the curb. Backing vehicles in parking lots and blind spots created by large trucks and SUVs round out the list of common hazards. Large SUVs and pickup trucks have large blind spots in front that can make it hard to see pedestrians, which is a risk that is especially present in Sanger’s growing commercial areas.

What Compensation Can a Pedestrian Accident Victim Recover in Texas?

Texas law allows pedestrian accident victims to seek compensation for every harm that flows from the crash. The goal of a personal injury claim is to put you back, as much as money can, in the position you were in before the accident happened.

Economic damages are the measurable financial losses you have suffered. These include past and future medical bills, the cost of surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and any medical equipment you need. If your injuries keep you from working, you can claim lost wages and, for serious injuries, lost earning capacity going forward. Pedestrian accidents often cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and severe fractures, all of which can require years of ongoing treatment. Cases involving catastrophic injury claims in Denton County often involve these exact categories of loss.

Non-economic damages cover the harms that do not come with a price tag but are just as real. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact your injuries have on your relationships all fall into this category. Texas does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, which means your full suffering is eligible for compensation.

If a pedestrian accident results in a death, surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003(b) establishes that a wrongful death suit must be filed within two years of the date of death. That deadline is strict. Families grieving a loss near the Denton County Justice Center or anywhere in the region should speak with an attorney as quickly as possible.

Texas uses a modified comparative fault rule. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident. If you are found to be partially at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies will often try to blame the pedestrian to reduce what they owe, and having an attorney at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys fighting for you helps counter those tactics.

The Deadline to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Texas

Time is one of the most critical factors in any pedestrian accident case. 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, that clock starts running on the day of the crash.

Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to recover anything. Courts enforce it strictly, and there are very few exceptions. If the injured person is a minor under 18 years old when the cause of action accrues, the statute of limitations is tolled until they reach the age of 18, as provided under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.001(a)(1). A similar pause applies to individuals who are mentally incapacitated at the time of the injury.

There is another important deadline that many people miss. If your accident involved a government vehicle, a city bus, or happened on public property maintained by a government entity, the Texas Tort Claims Act may require you to file a formal notice of claim within just 180 days of the incident. That is a much shorter window than the standard two-year period, and missing it can bar your claim entirely.

Two years can feel like a long time when you are focused on recovering from serious injuries. But building a strong case takes time. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget details. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. The sooner you contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500, the better your chances of preserving the evidence needed to win your case. Our office is conveniently located in Denton, just a short drive from Sanger along I-35, and we are ready to help you take action now.

Why Sanger Pedestrian Accident Victims Choose Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys focuses on personal injury cases in Denton County and the surrounding North Texas area. We represent people who have been hurt through no fault of their own, and we understand the local roads, courts, and insurance tactics that come into play in Sanger pedestrian accident claims. The Denton County Courts at Record and the 16th District Court are where these cases are litigated, and our attorneys know those venues well.

We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no financial risk to you for getting the legal help you need. You focus on healing while we focus on building your case.

From the moment you call us, we get to work. We gather the TxDOT CR-3 crash report, secure any available traffic or surveillance camera footage near the scene, interview witnesses, and work with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries. We also deal directly with insurance companies so you do not have to face their adjusters alone. Insurance companies are experienced at minimizing payouts, and having an attorney in your corner changes the dynamic significantly.

Pedestrian accident cases can involve multiple responsible parties, including the driver, a vehicle owner, a government entity responsible for road conditions, or even a property owner whose negligence contributed to the hazard. Our team investigates every angle to make sure every responsible party is held accountable. Past results in any case do not guarantee the same outcome in another matter, as every case turns on its own facts and applicable law, but we pursue maximum compensation for every client we represent.

Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 today. You can also reach us through our website. We offer free consultations, and we are ready to listen to what happened and explain your options clearly and honestly. Do not face this alone.

Content on this page is the responsibility of Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, principal office located in Denton, Texas. The attorneys at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys are licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

FAQs About Sanger Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

What should I do immediately after being hit by a car in Sanger, Texas?

Call 911 right away so law enforcement and emergency medical services respond to the scene. Even if you feel okay, get a medical evaluation, because many serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding do not show immediate symptoms. Ask for a copy of the police report, take photos of the scene if you are able, and get contact information from any witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible so we can begin preserving evidence.

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

Yes, in many cases you can. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. As long as you are found to be 50 percent or less responsible for the accident, you can still recover damages. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate a pedestrian’s share of fault to reduce what they pay, which is one reason having an attorney representing you matters so much.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Texas?

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the accident resulted in a death, the two-year clock starts from the date of death under Section 16.003(b). If a government entity is involved, the Texas Tort Claims Act may require you to file a formal written notice of claim within 180 days of the incident. Missing any of these deadlines can permanently bar your right to recover compensation, so it is important to contact an attorney quickly.

What types of damages can I recover after a pedestrian accident in Sanger?

Texas law allows pedestrian accident victims to seek economic damages, which include medical expenses, future medical care costs, lost wages, and lost earning capacity. You can also seek non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. If a loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim for additional categories of loss including loss of companionship and mental anguish. The specific damages available depend on the facts of your case, and no outcome in a prior case guarantees the same result in yours.

Does it cost anything to hire Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys for a pedestrian accident case?

No. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless and until we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no hourly charges. This arrangement means that anyone who has been injured by a negligent driver in Sanger can access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. Call us at (940) 800-2500 to schedule your free consultation and find out how we can help with your case.