Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Joe is one of the few Texas lawyers that is double board certified.
“No Legal Fees Until Joe Wins Your Case”
Content Reviewed by: Joe Stephens
Table of Contents
- Why Should You Trust The Stephens Law Firm To Handle Your Houston Pedestrian Accident Claim?
- Who Can Be Held Liable in a Houston Pedestrian Accident?
- What Compensation Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident in Houston, TX?
- What Happens If I Was Partially At Fault for the Accident?
- What If the Driver Flees the Scene (Hit-and-Run)?
- What if My Loved One Was Killed in a Houston Pedestrian Accident?
- What if the Driver Who Hit Me Doesn’t Have Insurance?
- What Are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Houston, Texas?
- Contact Our Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Near You
The Stephens Law Firm understands the dangers pedestrians face when walking Houston’s roads. As one of the nation’s largest cities, Houston has a lot of traffic congestion. While the city offers various primary transit routes for daily commuters and visitors, it lacks sidewalks, bike lanes, and traffic control signals for pedestrians.
Our skilled Houston pedestrian accident lawyer, Joe Stephens, frequently represents victims who have suffered an injury due to a negligent driver. He’s committed to advocating for pedestrian victims and will work relentlessly to get you and your loved ones full compensation for your losses.
Why Should You Trust The Stephens Law Firm To Handle Your Houston Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Joe Stephens is a dedicated Houston personal injury attorney with over 35 years of legal experience. He is one of only 10 attorneys across Texas to be double board-certified in personal injury and civil trial law. His reputation as an elite and knowledgeable attorney makes him well-respected in Texas’s legal community, including with the several legal organizations he belongs to.
Joe has been honored as a Super Lawyer each year from 2008 to 2024. He has an AV Preeminent rating with Martindale-Hubbell and is a Million Dollar Advocates Forum member.
When The Stephens Law Firm takes on your pedestrian accident claim, you can expect highly skilled legal representation because Joe Stephens will fight tirelessly to safeguard your financial interests so you can focus on your recovery.
Proven Results for Pedestrian Accident Victims
The Stephens Law Firm has a history of winning large settlements for pedestrian accident and injury victims, some obtaining millions of dollars. With a proven track record of success, you can count on Joe Stephens to fiercely advocate for the damages you deserve.
What Our Houston Clients Are Saying
We Serve Areas Near You In Houston
As a small, boutique personal injury practice, The Stephens Law Firm emphasizes legal services with a personal touch. All of our clients receive individualized attention. Unlike larger firms, Joe Stephens takes the time to understand each client’s unique situation and provides the type of service and care you won’t find at larger firms. Joe’s Houston office is located at:
9039 Katy Fwy Suite 332
Houston, TX, 77024
From the North:
Get on I-45 S. Take exit 51 onto I-610 W. Continue for 4.6 miles, then take exit 11 onto I-10 W. Continue onto exit 759B and merge onto Interstate 10 Frontage Rd W. Make a sharp left onto Interstate 10 Frontage Rd E, then turn right. Our office is on the left.
From the South:
Get on State Hwy 288 N. Continue onto I-610 W. Use the right two lanes for exit 11 to merge onto I-10 W. Take exit 759B and Interstate 10 Frontage W. Make a left onto 10 Frontage Rd E and turn right. The office is on the left.
From the West:
Get on I-10 E toward Houston. Take exit 759 toward Blalock Rd/Echo Ln/Campbell Rd. Merge onto Interstate 10 Frontage Rd E, then turn right. Our office is on the left.
From the East:
Get on I-10 W toward Katy. Take exit 759B from I-10 W. Continue onto Interstate 10 Frontage Rd W, then make a sharp left turn onto Interstate 10 Frontage Rd E. Turn right. The office is on your left.
Areas Served:
- West Houston/Energy Corridor/Katy Area: High commuter traffic and numerous retail and dining establishments lead to a high volume of both vehicles and pedestrians. Wide roads and high traffic speeds contribute to the risk, particularly on Westheimer Road.
- Cypress: Rapid suburban growth has led to increased traffic congestion. The area has a mix of residential and commercial development, increasing pedestrian traffic, especially along Barker Cypress Road.
- Alief: This densely populated area has a mix of residential and commercial properties, resulting in high pedestrian and vehicle traffic. High traffic density and busy intersections are contributing factors, especially along Bellaire Boulevard.
- Spring/Humble/Northeast Harris County: Suburban growth has increased traffic on major thoroughfares, such as FM 1960.
- Westchase: This business and residential district has a high concentration of office buildings and retail centers, creating a high volume of traffic and pedestrian activity, particularly along Gessner Road.
- Bellaire/West University Place vicinity: This is a very high-density area, with a lot of vehicle and pedestrian traffic, notably on Bissonnet Street.
- Museum District: This cultural hub attracts heavy traffic from museum visitors and commuters. Complex intersections, such as those along Main Street, can be challenging for pedestrians.
Downtown Houston: The central business district has a high concentration of office buildings, government buildings, and entertainment venues, leading to heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, especially on Fannin Street.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Houston Pedestrian Accident?
Negligent parties are often responsible for injuries caused in a pedestrian accident. Negligence occurs when someone has a legal duty to act safely but fails to do so, causing harm to others. If you suffer an injury due to another party’s negligence, you can seek compensation for your damages.
In a pedestrian accident claim, several parties may be held liable, including:
Drivers
Both pedestrians and drivers must follow Texas traffic laws, but if a motorist’s negligent actions cause a pedestrian accident, they may be liable for damages. Examples of negligent behaviors include failure to yield, distracted driving, driving while intoxicated, and speeding.
Property Owners
Homeowners and businesses must keep pathways clear. If you slip, trip, or fall over debris, broken pavement, or other objects on a property owner’s premises, the owner may have to compensate you for your damages.
Government Entities
Cities, municipalities, and government agencies can also be liable for pedestrian accidents involving governmental vehicles and government property. If you experience a pedestrian accident in one of these situations, you may have a case against the government.
Manufacturers
Pedestrians hurt by equipment or vehicle defects can pursue a personal injury lawsuit against a manufacturer. For example, if a vehicle’s brakes stop working and the driver runs into you as a pedestrian, you may be able to file a claim against the brake manufacturer.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident in Houston, TX?
You may be able to recover compensation for economic, non-economic, and sometimes exemplary or punitive damages in your pedestrian accident lawsuit, but you must act fast.
The Texas statute of limitations ends two years from the accident date. After the two-year limit, you are ineligible to file a lawsuit for compensation. Before filing your claim, you’ll want to have our experienced Houston pedestrian accident attorney on your side so he has enough time to gather evidence and put together a strong case for damages and compensation on your behalf.
Depending on your case, compensation for non-economic damages may cover emotional distress, pain and suffering, while compensation for economic damages may cover:
- Hospital and ambulatory transport costs
- Surgeries and physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Compensation for other past and future medical costs
- Compensation for reduced earning potential if you can’t return to work.
What Happens If I Was Partially At Fault for the Accident?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule in personal injury claims. That means courts can reduce your settlement or verdict proportionately by the amount you’re responsible for the accident. If a court determines you’re more than 50 percent responsible for the accident, it bars you from any damage recovery.
For example, if you are hit by a car in a crosswalk and are 40 percent responsible, while the driver is 60% responsible, your award will be reduced by 40 percent due to the Texas rules on comparative fault.
Insurance companies frequently try to minimize payouts by arguing that the victim is partially responsible. That’s why hiring an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Houston is so important to maximize your chance at compensation. The Stephens Law Firm understands these insurance company tactics and knows how important it is to gather evidence to prove the driver’s negligence while minimizing yours.
What If the Driver Flees the Scene (Hit-and-Run)?
Texas takes hit and runs very seriously. Not only can the driver be liable to you for damages, but they may face criminal penalties, too. Under Texas law, a hit and run that results in death is a second-degree felony. If the victim lives but is seriously injured, the driver can be charged with a third-degree felony.
If you or a loved one is injured in a hit-and-run, you have options. If the at-fault driver flees the scene and is not caught, Joe can help you file a claim through your uninsured motorist coverage, which provides protection when the responsible driver in a collision is uninsured, underinsured, or unable to be found.
What if My Loved One Was Killed in a Houston Pedestrian Accident?
If a loved one is killed after being hit by a car in a crosswalk, surviving spouses, children, and parents can file a wrongful death lawsuit. The Stephens Law Firm can evaluate the case and explain how surviving family members can recover damages and receive compensation after the death of a loved one. Damages in a wrongful death lawsuit can include compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship
What if the Driver Who Hit Me Doesn't Have Insurance?
Texas requires all drivers to carry liability car insurance, even though motorists don’t. If you get hit by a car in a crosswalk and the driver is without insurance, you may be able to seek compensation through your underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage (UI/UIM). In addition to protecting you if the other driver is uninsured, UI/UIM insurance helps protect you if the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance coverage to compensate you for all of your damages. With underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage, your own insurance policy can reimburse you for medical costs, lost wages, and other losses. However, uninsured driver cases can be complicated, so speaking to a qualified attorney is essential.
In addition to filing a claim with your own insurance, you may also be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and any other responsible parties.
What Are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Houston, Texas?
In 2022, there were 115 deaths and 245 serious injuries caused by pedestrian accidents in Houston. Across Texas, there were 807 fatalities and 1,457 severe injuries due to pedestrian accidents in 2023.
The most common causes of pedestrian accident injuries were speeding, impaired driving, unsafe driving maneuvers, and disregarding traffic signs and signals. These facts emphasize the risks pedestrians face on Texas’s roadways.
Contact Our Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Near You
The Stephens Law Firm has the experience and skills to tirelessly advocate for you in a Houston pedestrian accident claim. There is no fee unless the firm wins your case, so call us at (281) 623-1701 or fill out our intake form to schedule your free consultation.