A simple walk across the street should never end in a hospital stay. If you were hit by a car while walking in Austin, the team at Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC is ready to stand beside you and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Our Austin pedestrian accident attorneys have been helping injured Texans since 2001, and we know what it takes to hold careless drivers and their insurance companies accountable.
Pedestrians have almost no protection when a vehicle strikes them. The injuries are often serious, the medical bills add up fast, and the insurance company on the other side is rarely in a hurry to pay what your case is truly worth.
We get it. We have seen what these collisions do to families, and we are here to help you recover with as little stress as possible.
From the moment you call, we treat you like family. You will work directly with one of our attorneys, not a paralegal or a clerk. We will explain your options in plain language, answer your questions at any time of day or night, and handle every detail of your claim while you focus on healing. The consultation is free, and you owe us nothing unless we win money for your case.
Why Choose Our Austin Pedestrian Injury Lawyers
Choosing the right law firm after a serious injury matters more than most people realize. The lawyer you hire shapes the strength of your case, how the insurance company responds, and the final amount you take home. At Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC, we have built our reputation on doing right by injured Texans, one client at a time. Here is what sets us apart:
- Personal injury is all we do. Unlike many Austin firms that handle injury cases on the side, we focus only on accident and injury law. That focus keeps us sharp on the latest court rulings, insurance tactics, and case strategies.
- Direct attorney access. Your case will be handled by an attorney from start to finish, not handed off to support staff. You will always know who is working on your file and how to reach them.
- In-house investigation team. We have an in-house investigator and a network of accident reconstruction and medical experts ready to support your claim.
- We come to you. If your injuries make travel difficult, we are happy to meet at your home, the hospital, or anywhere else convenient. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
- Available 24/7. Accidents do not happen on a schedule, and neither do we. Call any time, day or night.
- Over $500 million recovered. We have secured more than $500 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients across Texas.
When you trust us with your case, you get a team that treats you like a person, not a file number. Call us today at (512) 477-7333 to schedule your free, confidential consultation with an Austin pedestrian accident lawyer.
Why Walking in Austin Has Become So Dangerous
Austin has grown faster than its streets can keep up with. With more cars on the road, more construction, and more distractions behind the wheel, walkers are paying the price. Areas around busy spots like South Congress, the Drag near the University of Texas, or downtown near 6th Street see frequent close calls and serious crashes every year.
Drivers who are texting, speeding, or rolling through crosswalks put every walker at risk. Even a low-speed impact between a vehicle and a person on foot can cause life-changing harm. When someone behind the wheel ignores their duty to drive carefully, they can and should be held accountable for the damage they cause.
If you were struck while walking in Austin or anywhere in the surrounding area, our pedestrian accident lawyers in Austin are here to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Texas Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws Every Walker Should Know
Texas law sets clear rules about when drivers must yield to people on foot. The main ones come from Chapter 552 of the Texas Transportation Code, which covers pedestrian rights and driver duties.
Here are some of the key points the law spells out:
- Drivers must stop and yield to walkers crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk when no traffic signal is in operation.
- A walker facing a "Walk" signal has the right of way, and drivers must stop and yield to them.
- Drivers approaching from behind a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian may not pass that vehicle.
- Drivers must use due care to avoid hitting any walker on the road, even when the walker is not in a crosswalk.
- Walkers crossing outside of a marked crosswalk or intersection must yield to vehicles, but drivers still have a duty to avoid a collision when possible.
Even if you were not in a crosswalk when the collision happened, you may still have a strong case. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means you can recover money as long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the crash. Our team will look at every angle of your case and fight to make sure fault is fairly assigned.
How Our Austin Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Build Your Case
A pedestrian collision case is rarely as simple as the insurance company tries to make it sound. Drivers often blame the walker. Insurance adjusters often offer quick, low settlements that fall far short of what the case is really worth. The work of building a strong claim begins the moment you hire us.
Here is some of what we do behind the scenes for every client:
- Investigate the scene. Our in-house investigator gathers police reports, photographs, surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and witness statements before evidence disappears.
- Reconstruct the crash. When needed, we bring in accident reconstruction professionals who can show exactly how the collision happened and who was at fault.
- Document your injuries. We work with your medical providers, and if you do not have a doctor, we can refer you to one for treatment. Detailed records are key to proving the full impact of your injuries.
- Calculate the full value of your losses. We add up your medical bills, lost income, future care needs, pain and suffering, and any long-term effects on your quality of life.
- Handle every conversation with the insurance company. You will not have to argue with adjusters or sign anything you do not understand. We do that for you.
- Prepare your case for trial. Many claims settle out of court, but the insurance company is far more likely to offer a fair amount when they know we are ready to take them to a jury.
Every step of this process is built around one goal, which is putting you in the strongest possible position to recover what you deserve.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Pedestrian Crash
Money will not undo what happened to you, but it can take the financial pressure off and give you room to heal. Texas law allows injured walkers to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. The exact amount depends on the facts of your case, but recoverable damages often include:
- Emergency room and hospital bills
- Surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care
- Future medical expenses related to your injuries
- Lost wages from time off work
- Loss of future earning ability if you cannot return to your job
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Disfigurement or permanent scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage, such as a phone or laptop broken in the crash
In cases involving the death of a loved one, families may be able to recover wrongful death damages as well, including loss of companionship and funeral costs. We understand how heavy this kind of loss is, and we will handle your family's case with the care and respect it deserves.
Insurance companies often hope you will accept less than your case is worth simply because you do not know what to ask for. We make sure you do.
Common Insurance Company Tactics and How We Respond
The insurance company is not your friend, even when its adjuster sounds friendly on the phone. Their job is to pay as little as possible, and they have a playbook for doing exactly that. We have seen every move they make, and we know how to counter them.
Some of the tactics we see again and again include:
- Calling injured walkers within hours of the crash to record a statement before they speak with a lawyer
- Offering a quick lowball settlement that does not come close to covering future medical needs
- Asking for broad medical record releases that go far beyond what is relevant to your claim
- Blaming the walker for the collision, even when the driver was clearly at fault
- Dragging the case out in hopes that you will get tired and accept less
When you hire our team, the insurance company has to talk to us instead of you. We handle every call, every letter, and every offer. You can stop worrying about saying the wrong thing and start focusing on getting better.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Texas?
Texas gives most injured people a limited window of time to take legal action. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the collision to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a loved one was killed, the same two-year deadline applies, starting from the date of death.
Two years can pass faster than you think when you are recovering from a serious injury. Evidence also fades quickly. Witnesses move, surveillance footage gets erased, and physical evidence at the scene disappears. The sooner you reach out to us, the more we can do to protect your case.
There are some exceptions to the two-year rule, including for minors and certain government claims, but it is best not to assume one applies to you without speaking to an attorney first. Call us as soon as you can so we can start protecting your rights.
FAQs Answered by Our Austin Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Below are some of the questions we hear most often from injured walkers and their families. If your question is not answered here, give us a call anytime, and we will be glad to help.
How much does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident attorney?
Our consultations are always free, and we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing up front, and we only get paid if we recover money for your case. There is no risk in calling us to learn about your options.
What should I do if the driver who hit me drove off?
Hit-and-run collisions are sadly common in pedestrian cases. Even if the driver fled, you may still have ways to recover compensation, including through your own uninsured motorist coverage. Call us so we can review your insurance policies and look for every possible source of recovery.
What if the police report says the crash was my fault?
A police report is one piece of evidence, but it is not the final word on fault. We have handled many cases where further investigation showed the driver was actually responsible. Do not give up on your case just because of what an initial report says.
How long will my pedestrian accident case take?
Every case is different. Some claims settle within a few months, while others take a year or more, especially if a lawsuit becomes necessary. We will give you a realistic timeline based on the details of your case and keep you updated at every stage.
Do I have a case if my child was hit by a car?
Yes. When a child is hurt by a careless driver, the family has the right to seek compensation for medical care, future treatment, and the child's pain and suffering. Texas law also gives children additional time to file a claim in some situations. Please call us so we can explain how this works in your child's case.
Talk to an Austin Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
You did not ask to be hit. You did not ask for the medical bills, the missed paychecks, or the long road to recovery. But you do have the right to hold the driver who hurt you accountable, and we are ready to help you do exactly that.
Call Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC today at (512) 477-7333 for a free and confidential consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. There is no fee unless we win, and there is no pressure to hire us when you call. Just real answers from a team that has been fighting for injured Texans since 2001.
You take care of getting better. We will take care of the rest.