A driver is supposed to see you before turning, entering a crosswalk, or pulling through an intersection. When that doesn’t happen, an Austin pedestrian accident lawyer can investigate the driver’s actions and protect you from attempts to shift the blame.
The hard part is proving what happened when it becomes your word against the driver's. The other side may argue that you share the blame for the collision, and a single claim that you stepped off the curb too soon can cut deeply into your case.
Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC knows how to build the proof that keeps the blame where it belongs. We gather the crash report, find witnesses, and map out exactly how the driver failed you. Call us for free at (512) 477-7333 or use our online contact form to learn how we can help.
Why Choose Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC for Your Austin Pedestrian Injury Case
Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC has handled serious pedestrian injury and fatality cases, including claims involving crosswalks, drunk drivers, and people struck while working. We use that experience to investigate the crash and build a claim that reflects the full extent of the harm.
Thousands of Cases
We opened our doors in 2001 and have handled thousands of personal injury claims for injured Texans. Our attorneys understand the evidence and insurance issues that make pedestrian cases different from ordinary vehicle claims.
Proven Pedestrian Results
Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC secured a $2 million result for a pedestrian hit by a vehicle while working, an $825,000 result for a pedestrian struck in a crosswalk, and a $488,000 result for a pedestrian hit by a drunk driver.
Recognized Attorneys
Our firm’s attorneys have earned recognition from Super Lawyers, and our legal team brings years of courtroom and personal injury experience to each case.
Call (512) 477-7333 today or send us a message through our online contact form to get started for free.
Do You Have a Pedestrian Injury Claim in Austin?
You may have a pedestrian injury claim if a driver failed to yield, ignored a traffic signal, drove distracted, or otherwise caused the collision. Who had the right of way depends on where and how you were crossing, so we examine the specific intersection, signals, and actions of both parties.
You may still have a case if the driver claims you were partly responsible or if they left the scene before police arrived. Our Austin pedestrian accident attorneys can review the evidence and determine whether the driver, an employer, or another party may be liable.
Common cases we handle include:
- Crosswalk Collisions: A driver turns, runs a light, or fails to stop while you are crossing with the right of way on a busy corridor like South Congress.
- Hit-and-Run Crashes: A driver leaves the scene, and we work to identify the vehicle or pursue applicable uninsured motorist coverage.
- Parking Lot Strikes: A driver backs out or turns through a parking area without seeing a pedestrian.
- Campus Area Incidents: A distracted or impatient driver strikes a student, employee, or visitor near the University of Texas campus.
- Bus Stop and Curb Accidents: A driver leaves the travel lane or fails to watch for people near a pickup area downtown.
- Wrongful Death Cases: A family loses a loved one because a driver failed to use reasonable care.
Why Are Some Austin Roads More Dangerous for Pedestrians?
Wide roads, high traffic speeds, long crossing distances, and limited pedestrian facilities can make certain Austin corridors especially dangerous.
Riverside Drive, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and North Lamar Boulevard each present different risks that must be considered during the investigation.
Riverside Drive
Riverside Drive carries heavy traffic through areas with apartments, businesses, transit stops, and frequent foot traffic. Portions of the corridor have been included in Austin’s High-Injury Network.
Fatal crash reports on East Riverside Drive show the danger pedestrians face when drivers fail to yield or watch the road.
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
MLK Boulevard includes busy intersections, transit activity, and areas where pedestrians cross between neighborhoods, businesses, and schools.
A claim may require a close review of signal timing, crosswalk placement, lighting, and whether the driver turned across the pedestrian’s path.
North Lamar Boulevard
North Lamar is a major transit corridor, but some sections have lacked consistent pedestrian facilities. Long blocks, fast traffic, and uneven sidewalk or crossing access can increase the risk of a serious collision, particularly at night.
Our Austin pedestrian accident lawyers don’t rely solely on a road’s reputation. We document the exact block, traffic controls, lighting, visibility, and driver behavior that contributed to your crash.
What Happens After a Driver Hits Someone in an Austin Crosswalk?
A driver may be liable when they fail to stop and yield to a pedestrian who has the right of way in a crosswalk. Your Austin pedestrian injury lawyer reviews the signal, the pedestrian’s location, the vehicle’s direction, and whether the driver was turning or traveling straight.
Crosswalk accidents often happen when a driver:
- Turns Across the Crosswalk: The motorist watches oncoming traffic but fails to look for a pedestrian before completing the turn.
- Runs a Signal: The vehicle enters the intersection after the signal turns red or ignores a stop sign.
- Fails To Stop: A motorist approaches an uncontrolled crosswalk without slowing or yielding.
- Blocks the Crossing: The vehicle stops inside the crosswalk and then moves while a pedestrian is passing.
- Gets Distracted: When a motorist looks at their phone, navigation system, or passengers, they put pedestrians at greater risk.
Texas law also prohibits pedestrians from suddenly leaving the curb when an approaching vehicle is too close to stop safely. That doesn’t give an insurer the right to blame you without evidence.
We use video, witness accounts, vehicle damage, and signal data to determine who actually caused the collision.
How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen Near the UT Campus?
Pedestrian crashes near the University of Texas often involve turning drivers, crowded intersections, rideshare activity, and people crossing between campus buildings, housing, and transit stops. The heavy mix of vehicles and foot traffic can leave little room for driver inattention.
A campus-area investigation may focus on:
- Turning Vehicles: Drivers may look for traffic on Guadalupe Street or nearby roads but fail to check the crosswalk before turning.
- Rideshare Pickups: A driver may stop unexpectedly, block sight lines, or pull away without noticing someone crossing nearby.
- Bus and Transit Areas: Vehicles may fail to slow for people walking near stops or crossing after exiting a bus.
- Nighttime Visibility: Poor lighting, glare, and heavy traffic can make a driver’s failure to pay attention even more dangerous.
- Crowded Intersections: Drivers may rush through a turn while students and other pedestrians are still crossing.
The in-house investigator at Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC can document the location of your crash, search for university or business surveillance footage, and speak with witnesses.
What Insurance Covers a Pedestrian Injury in Austin, TX?
After a pedestrian accident in Austin, Texas, the driver’s liability insurance is usually the first source of compensation, but other coverage may also apply. Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC will review every available policy to maximize the pool of funds your recovery can come from.
Potential coverage may include:
- Driver Liability Coverage: The at-fault driver’s insurer may pay for injuries and other losses caused by the collision.
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Your own policy may apply when the driver has no insurance or can’t be identified after a hit-and-run.
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage may help when the driver’s policy is not enough to pay the full value of the claim.
- Personal Injury Protection: PIP coverage on your auto policy may pay a portion of medical expenses and lost income regardless of fault.
- Commercial Insurance: A larger policy may apply when the driver was working for a company at the time of the crash.
- Household Coverage: In some cases, a policy held by a member of your household may provide additional protection.
Your Austin pedestrian injury lawyer can review the policy language and handle the notices and communications required to pursue each source of coverage.
What Money Can You Recover After an Austin Pedestrian Accident?
Your Austin pedestrian accident claim may recover compensation for the financial losses you suffered, such as medical expenses and time off from work. But your claim may also include funds for the personal harm caused by the crash.
| Type of Compensation | What It May Cover |
| Medical Expenses | Emergency treatment, surgery, medication, therapy, and other necessary care. |
| Future Medical Costs | Ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, medical equipment, or personal assistance you are reasonably expected to need. |
| Lost Income | Wages and other earnings you missed while you were unable to work. |
| Reduced Earning Capacity | Future income you may lose if a permanent injury limits the work you can perform. |
| Pain and Suffering | The physical pain caused by your injuries. |
| Physical Impairment | Loss of mobility, independence, or the ability to perform normal activities. |
| Disfigurement | Scarring, amputation, or another lasting change to your appearance. |
| Wrongful Death Damages | Eligible family members may recover compensation when a pedestrian crash causes a death. |
How Long Do You Have To File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Texas?
You usually have two years from the date of the pedestrian accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. Missing that deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation, even when the driver was clearly at fault.
That doesn’t mean you should wait two years to act. Surveillance footage may be erased, witnesses may become harder to locate, and physical evidence from the intersection can disappear.
A hit-and-run or claim involving a government vehicle may also involve additional notice requirements. Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC can identify the deadlines that apply, preserve the evidence, and file your case before time runs out.
FAQ for Austin Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
What Are a Pedestrian’s Rights in Texas?
Pedestrians have the right of way in certain crosswalk situations, but the right of way depends on the traffic signals and your position in the road. When no traffic signal is operating, a driver must stop and yield to a pedestrian in the driver’s half of the roadway or approaching close enough from the opposite half to be in danger.
Pedestrians must also obey traffic signals and cannot suddenly step into the path of a vehicle that is too close to stop safely.
Can a Pedestrian Be at Fault for a Collision in Texas?
A pedestrian can share fault for an accident in Texas when their actions contribute to the collision. Examples may include crossing against a signal, suddenly entering traffic, or failing to yield outside a crosswalk when Texas law requires it.
You may still recover compensation if you were 50% or less responsible, but your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. You can’t recover any compensation if you’re more than 50% responsible.
How Long Do Pedestrian Accident Cases Take in Texas?
The timeline for a pedestrian accident case varies—often spanning several months to over a year—based on factors like the severity of injuries, the complexity of liability, and insurance involvement.
Cases frequently settle faster when liability is straightforward, and the victim's medical condition has stabilized.
What Does an Austin Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Do?
An Austin pedestrian accident lawyer investigates the crash, protects you from unfair blame, and pursues every available source of compensation. We handle the evidence, insurance communication, deadlines, negotiations, and litigation when necessary.
What if I Can’t Afford a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Austin Right Now?
Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee, so you don’t pay any fees upfront. Our firm receives a fee only if it recovers money for you, subject to the terms of the representation agreement.
What Should I Do if the Driver Drove Off?
If the driver fled after hitting you with their car, report the crash to the police and write down any information that may identify the driver. The vehicle’s color, make, damage, direction of travel, or partial license plate may help the investigation.
Then, contact an Austin pedestrian accident lawyer at Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC. Our team can search for video, contact witnesses, and review uninsured motorist coverage while police investigate the hit-and-run.
We’ll Help You Get Back on Your Feet
The driver and insurance company don’t get the final word on what happened. Lorenz & Lorenz, PLLC can investigate the collision, challenge unfair blame, and pursue compensation for the injuries and losses the crash caused.
Call (512) 477-7333 or use our online contact form to speak with our team today.