Sherman Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents in Sherman, Texas can change a person’s life in an instant. When a driver fails to yield, runs a red light, or simply is not paying attention, the person walking bears the full impact, often suffering broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, or worse. If you or a family member was struck by a vehicle in Sherman, you have legal rights under Texas law, and Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is ready to help you pursue every dollar you deserve. Our firm serves clients throughout the Sherman and Grayson County area, and we handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call us today at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.

Table of Contents

• How Serious Pedestrian Accidents Are in Sherman and Across Texas
• Texas Laws That Protect Pedestrians and Establish Driver Responsibility
• Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Sherman, Texas
• What Damages You Can Recover After a Sherman Pedestrian Accident
• Why Acting Quickly After a Sherman Pedestrian Accident Matters
• FAQs About Sherman Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

How Serious Pedestrian Accidents Are in Sherman and Across Texas

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 in the state, resulting in 772 pedestrian deaths, and another 1,455 pedestrians were seriously injured. Those numbers represent real people, not just statistics.

The danger does not stop when the sun goes down. Approximately 77% of pedestrian deaths in 2024 happened after dark. Sherman residents who walk near Highway 75, U.S. 82, or busy commercial corridors like Texoma Parkway face real risk, especially in low-light conditions. The area around Grayson College and the downtown Sherman square sees regular foot traffic, and those zones demand heightened driver attention.

Pedestrian accidents almost always produce severe injuries. A car traveling at 30 miles per hour delivers an enormous amount of force to an unprotected human body. Victims routinely suffer traumatic brain injuries, fractured pelvises, internal organ damage, and spinal cord injuries that require months or years of treatment. The financial toll from medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care can be devastating for any family.

If a driver’s negligence caused your injuries, Texas law gives you the right to seek full compensation. The attorneys at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys understand how these cases work and how insurance companies try to minimize payouts. We fight back. Call (940) 800-2500 and tell us what happened.

Texas Laws That Protect Pedestrians and Establish Driver Responsibility

Texas law places clear duties on drivers to protect people on foot. Understanding these rules helps you recognize when a driver broke the law and caused your injuries.

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 present and the pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the roadway or close enough to be in danger. The same section also prohibits a following driver from passing a vehicle that has already stopped at a crosswalk to let someone cross.

Section 552.002 of the Transportation Code addresses signalized intersections. When a pedestrian control signal displays “Walk,” drivers must stop and yield. A pedestrian who has already started crossing on a “Walk” signal has the right to finish crossing even if the signal changes.

Beyond crosswalk rules, Section 552.008 requires every driver to exercise due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian on a roadway, to sound the horn when necessary, and to take extra precautions around children or people who appear confused or incapacitated. This duty applies everywhere, not just at marked crosswalks.

Texas Transportation Code Section 545.428 goes even further. A driver who operates a vehicle in a crosswalk area 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. Criminal liability and civil liability are separate, but a driver’s criminal conduct strengthens your civil injury claim significantly.

When a driver violates any of these statutes and you are hurt as a result, that violation is strong evidence of negligence. The personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys know how to use these statutes to build a compelling case on your behalf.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Sherman, Texas

Most pedestrian accidents in Sherman are preventable. They happen because a driver made a bad choice or was not paying attention. Knowing the common causes helps you understand what evidence matters most in your case.

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes. A driver glancing at a phone for just two seconds at 30 miles per hour travels nearly 90 feet without looking at the road. That is more than enough distance to strike someone stepping off a curb near the Sherman Town Center or crossing near Austin College on Lamar Avenue.

Failure to yield at crosswalks is another frequent cause. Drivers approaching unmarked crosswalks at intersections near the Grayson County Courthouse or along Travis Street sometimes treat yield requirements as optional. They are not. Texas law is clear on this point.

Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time and makes collisions far more lethal. A pedestrian struck at 20 miles per hour has roughly a 90 percent chance of survival. At 40 miles per hour, that figure drops dramatically. Speed-related pedestrian crashes are common on Highway 75 and the service roads along U.S. 82 in Sherman.

Drunk driving also plays a significant role. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, making them far more likely to miss a pedestrian in a crosswalk or on a sidewalk. Cases involving drunk drivers often support claims for punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages.

Drivers backing out of driveways, parking lots, and alleys also cause pedestrian injuries. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 552.006, a driver emerging from an alley, building, or private driveway must stop and yield to a pedestrian on the sidewalk. Violations of this rule are common in commercial areas throughout Sherman.

What Damages You Can Recover After a Sherman Pedestrian Accident

Texas law allows injured pedestrians to recover both economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault driver and, in many cases, from the driver’s insurance company. Understanding what you can claim helps you avoid settling for less than your case is worth.

Economic damages cover your out-of-pocket losses. These include current and future medical bills, rehabilitation and physical therapy costs, lost wages from time missed at work, and reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job. In serious cases involving traumatic brain injuries or spinal damage, future care costs alone can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Non-economic damages compensate you for losses that do not come with a receipt. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement all qualify. These damages can be substantial in pedestrian accident cases because the injuries are often catastrophic and long-lasting.

Texas also follows a modified comparative fault rule. Under the 51 percent rule codified in the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, you can still recover damages as long as you are found to be less than 51 percent responsible for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 20 percent at fault and awards $500,000, you receive $400,000. An insurance company may try to inflate your share of fault to reduce or eliminate your payout. Having an attorney in your corner prevents that tactic from working.

If a pedestrian accident results in death, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.002. Spouses, children, and parents of the deceased can seek compensation for their own grief, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. These cases are handled with the same care and dedication at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys. Call (940) 800-2500 to speak with us directly.

Why Acting Quickly After a Sherman Pedestrian Accident Matters

Time is one of the most important factors in a pedestrian accident case. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003(a), personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the date the cause of action accrues. Miss that deadline and you lose your right to compensation permanently, regardless of how strong your case is.

Two years sounds like a long time, but the evidence that wins cases disappears quickly. Surveillance camera footage from businesses along Travis Street or Texoma Parkway is typically overwritten within 30 to 90 days. Witness memories fade. Skid marks wash away. The police crash report, formally known as the CR-3 form filed with the Texas Department of Transportation, must be obtained and reviewed as soon as possible because it contains critical details about how the crash occurred.

If the at-fault driver was operating a government vehicle, or if a government entity’s poor road design or missing crosswalk signage contributed to your accident, the deadline is even shorter. If your injury was caused by a government entity, such as a city, county, or state agency, under the Texas Tort Claims Act, you often have just 180 days from the accident date to provide written notice of your claim. Missing this brief window can bar your case from moving forward, even if you are within the two-year personal injury statute of limitations.

Early action also allows your attorney to retain accident reconstruction experts, gather medical records that document the full extent of your injuries, and build a complete picture of your damages before the insurance company can shape the narrative. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys begins working on your case from day one. The sooner you call, the stronger your case will be. Reach us at (940) 800-2500 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

FAQs About Sherman Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

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

You may still have a case, but the analysis is more involved. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 552.005, a pedestrian crossing outside a marked crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to vehicles. However, drivers still owe a duty of care under Section 552.008, which requires them to exercise due care to avoid hitting any pedestrian on a roadway. If the driver was speeding, distracted, or impaired, those factors can establish negligence even if you were not in a crosswalk. Texas’s modified comparative fault rule also means you can recover damages as long as you are found less than 51 percent at fault. The specific facts of your accident matter greatly, and speaking with an attorney at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 is the best way to understand your options.

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

Every case is different. Some pedestrian accident claims settle with the insurance company within a few months, especially when liability is clear and the injuries are well-documented. Cases involving disputed fault, serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage, or uncooperative insurance companies can take a year or more to resolve, particularly if a lawsuit must be filed. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys works to resolve your case as efficiently as possible while making sure you do not accept a settlement that falls short of your actual damages. We keep you informed throughout the entire process.

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

Texas law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, but not all drivers comply. If the driver who struck you was uninsured, you may be able to file a claim under your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, if you have it. You may also have a claim under your underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage if the driver’s policy limits are too low to cover your damages. In some cases, third parties such as an employer, a vehicle owner, or a property manager may share responsibility for the accident. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys investigates every available source of recovery so that a lack of insurance on the driver’s part does not leave you without compensation.

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

Yes, in most situations. Texas follows a modified comparative fault system. As long as you are found to be less than 51 percent responsible for the accident, you can recover damages. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $300,000 and you are found 25 percent at fault, you would recover $225,000. Insurance adjusters often try to assign excessive fault to injured pedestrians to reduce or eliminate payouts. Having an experienced attorney represent you prevents that from happening and ensures fault is assigned fairly based on the actual evidence.

What should I do immediately after being struck by a vehicle in Sherman?

Call 911 right away so that police and emergency medical services respond to the scene. A police report is a critical piece of evidence in your case. Accept medical treatment at the scene and follow up with a doctor even if you feel okay, because many serious injuries like internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries do not produce immediate symptoms. If you are physically able, take photos of the scene, the vehicle, any crosswalk markings, traffic signals, and your injuries. Get contact information from witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Then call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible so we can start protecting your rights from the very beginning.

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is responsible for this content. Principal office located in Denton, Texas. Past results described in any communication do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts and applicable law. This page is attorney advertising.