In recent years, downtown Beaumont has had its streets, sidewalks, and buildings revitalized, which has led to more people traveling by foot in the city. While walking is a good form of exercise that allows people to get better views of Beaumont attractions, being a pedestrian is not without its risks.
Distracted or otherwise negligent drivers of motor vehicles can frequently be at fault for accidents involving pedestrians. Because pedestrians have no protection when they are involved in these incidents, they can sustain severe injuries.
If you have suffered severe injuries or your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident in Southeast Texas, it is critical that you quickly find legal representation. Strict deadlines could apply to your case, and an experienced Beaumont personal injury attorney can make sure your rights are protected.
The pedestrian accident attorneys in Beaumont at Portner Bond, PLLC will fight to protect your rights when an insurance company inevitably argues that you were at fault for your injuries. Call (409) 838-4444 or contact us online to receive a free consultation.
Do I Need A Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
As a pedestrian, you have little to no protection if you are involved in an accident, especially if the accident involves a motor vehicle. The result of a pedestrian-vehicle accident is often severe injury to the pedestrian, not the driver of the vehicle. While it is possible that a pedestrian could be at fault for a crash (not observing traffic signals, distracted walking, etc.), these instances are rare. Since pedestrians have the right-of-way, most accidents are the result of negligence on the part of the driver.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by a negligent driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses, as well as non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and post-traumatic stress from the accident.
Seeking and securing this compensation can be difficult, if not impossible, without an experienced attorney on your side. Building a persuasive injury case takes time, thorough investigation, and knowledge of how negligence is proven. While most claims settle out of court, insurance companies will look to pay as little as possible for your claim. Your attorney can negotiate for a fair settlement and can take the case to court if the insurance company refuses to settle for what you are owed.
Why Choose Portner Bond, PLLC To Handle My Case?
Portner Bond, PLLC represents people who have been injured in pedestrian accidents in Beaumont and throughout Jefferson County. We have an unwavering commitment to our clients, and we are proud of our track record of successful verdicts and settlements on their behalf.
Chris Portner has been honored as a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, to which fewer than 1% of attorneys in the United States are members. He is also a member of the Jefferson County Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association, and American Association for Justice, and has been recognized in Texas Monthly in 2007 and 2008 as a rising star by Texas Super Lawyers (a Thomson Reuters service).
Trent Bond is one of only about 10% of lawyers in Texas who is board-certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Texas Super Lawyers recognized him in Texas Monthly as a Texas Super Lawyer each year from 2011 to 2018.
Our firm will attempt to achieve a fair settlement to your case but will not be afraid to file a lawsuit, if necessary, to help you recover fair and full compensation. We will also provide these services on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will not have to pay anything to us until you receive a monetary award.
Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle
Pedestrians are frequently injured in crashes caused by driver negligence, but it is usually the pedestrian that an insurance company will attempt to pin the blame on. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian crashes include:
- Improper Lane Use
- Inclement Weather
- Right-Turn or Left-Turn Accidents
- Distracted Driving
- Drunk or Drugged Driving
- Failure to Yield
Not all pedestrian accidents involve motor vehicles. It is also common for pedestrians to be injured because of other safety hazards that may make local businesses or property owners liable, such as holes in walkways or falling objects.
Some of the most common kinds of injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations
- Paralysis
- Internal organ injuries
- Fractures
- Muscle strains
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Sprains
- Neck injuries
In severe cases, a person involved in a pedestrian accident could suffer fatal injuries. The family of a person killed in a pedestrian accident may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pedestrian Accidents
Below are a few questions we hear a lot at Portner Bond, PLLC. We hope these FAQs will be useful to you and your pedestrian accident case. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll schedule a free, no-obligation consultation so we can discuss your case.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim?
In Texas, people have two years from the date of pedestrian accidents to file lawsuits. This statute of limitations does, however, have notable exceptions. The first is that a victim is a minor. The second is someone “of unsound mind,” essentially meaning unconscious or in a coma. In such cases, a victim will be considered “under a legal disability.” The time of that disability is not included in a limitation period under Texas law. When a person is afflicted with such a disability, they will then have two years to file a lawsuit. This happens once they either turn 18 years of age or have their disability removed. Another exception applies to members of the United States Armed Forces. They may have their limitations periods tolled (delayed) if they are serving overseas.
Will I still be able to file a lawsuit if I am partially at fault for my pedestrian accident?
Under Texas law, a person can only recover damages when they are not more than 50% at fault for their injuries. This makes Texas a modified comparative fault state. A person who was more than 50% responsible cannot recover any damages. A court is also required to reduce any damages awarded by the victim’s percentage of negligence. For example, let’s say a person is awarded $100,000 but found to have been 40% at fault. They would have their damages reduced by $40,000 and ultimately receive $60,000.
What will it cost me to hire Portner Bond, PLLC to represent me?
One of the most common concerns that accident victims have in the wake of a severe injury accident is how they’ll afford the cost of quality legal representation. At Portner Bond, PLLC, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that it won’t cost you anything to hire us. That’s right. We won’t charge you a single penny for our efforts until we secure compensation on your behalf.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), there were 5,751 total pedestrian crashes statewide in 2022, over twice the number reported in 2017. This total included 825 fatal crashes, 1,389 suspected serious injury crashes, 2,111 suspected minor injury crashes, and 1,213 suspected possible injury crashes.
While TxDOT does not provide city-level information about pedestrian crashes, it does say that there were 3,451 total motor vehicle accidents in Beaumont in 2022. These crashes resulted in 19 fatalities, 110 suspected serious injuries, 615 suspected minor injuries, and 1,037 possible injuries.
Contact a Beaumont Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
Were you hurt while walking as a pedestrian in Beaumont? No matter where you were hurt, you had a legal right to be walking. Our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys in Beaumont can help you get the justice that you deserve.
Our firm will conduct an independent investigation of your accident scene. This is to secure the evidence needed to hold the negligent party liable. We can answer all of your legal questions as soon as you call Portner Bond, PLLC or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
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