San Antonio Pedestrian Crosswalk Accident Lawyer
There are rules protecting pedestrians on crosswalks, but people still get hurt. If you were struck and injured by a vehicle while crossing the road, you need a San Antonio pedestrian crosswalk accident lawyer.
An experienced pedestrian injury attorney can carefully evaluate your accident and let you know your legal options. You may be able to pursue compensation to help relieve financial stress resulting from the accident.
Laws Protecting Pedestrians on Crosswalks
In Texas, drivers must yield right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. This includes marked crosswalks and unmarked crosswalks. If one driver has stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross in a crosswalk, other drivers are not allowed to pass the stopped vehicle.
The Lisa Torry Smith Act states that if a driver hits and injures someone in a crosswalk, it is considered a Class A misdemeanor. If there are serious injuries or death related to the accident, the driver of the vehicle could get a hefty fine or spend time in jail.
A pedestrian crosswalk accident lawyer in San Antonio can explain these laws and how they apply to a unique situation. The lawyer can also explain the right to file an injury lawsuit as a way to hold the liable person accountable and collect compensation.
The Right-of-Way When a Pedestrian is Not in a Crosswalk
If the pedestrian crosses the road away from a crosswalk, also called jaywalking, drivers have the right of way. In this situation, a pedestrian needs to yield to the cars on the road. If a pedestrian steps out in front of a moving vehicle on the road outside of a crosswalk, and the driver hits and injures the pedestrian, it is possible that the driver may not be liable for the injuries.
Using a Crosswalk at a Controlled Intersection
Controlled intersections are busy intersections that have traffic signals telling pedestrians when they can walk across the road. Pedestrians must obey the traffic signals, just like drivers must obey the red, yellow, and green traffic lights. If either the pedestrian or the driver does not obey the traffic signals, they are breaching their duty of care to the others on the road.
When to File an Injury Lawsuit After a Crosswalk Accident
A personal injury lawsuit is a way to collect damages from the person or persons who were liable for the injury. The best time to get started on a lawsuit is right away after the accident. Contact a San Antonio pedestrian crosswalk accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Not only does this allow the lawyer to investigate the accident while it is still a recent event, but it also allows the lawyer to deal with any insurance companies that may try to offer a low compensation as a way to get out of paying everything that the injured person deserves.
Types of Damages in a Pedestrian Crosswalk Accident
An injured person could collect damages for the following things:
- Medical expenses, including emergency vehicle rides, treatments, doctor visits, surgeries, medication, and physical therapy
- Job wages that were lost due to the accident
- Pain and suffering directly related to the injuries
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A lawyer in San Antonio can help determine the amount of compensation to pursue when filing a pedestrian crosswalk accident lawsuit.
Talk to a San Antonio Attorney About Your Pedestrian Crosswalk Accident
If you were injured while crossing the road at a marked or unmarked crosswalk, you could be eligible to pursue compensation. Do not wait. Contact a San Antonio pedestrian crosswalk accident lawyer as soon as possible, so you can get your questions answered and feel confident about your legal choices. Schedule a free consultation to begin.
The experienced attorneys at Felix Gonzalez Law Firm will help you through this difficult time. We want you to get the money you deserve.
