Victoria Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you were struck by a vehicle while walking in Victoria, Texas, you have the legal right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

Texas law requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks and exercise reasonable care to avoid hitting pedestrians at all times on the roadway. 

A Victoria pedestrian accident lawyer can help you navigate the complex insurance claims process and fight for the full compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.

Victoria pedestrian accident lawyer Ryan DeHoyos is dedicated to helping injury victims across Texas pursue fair settlements and verdicts. DeHoyos Accident Attorneys understands the unique challenges pedestrians face when dealing with insurance companies that often try to shift blame or minimize payouts. 

The firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless they win your case.

Injured As a Pedestrian in Victoria?

If you were hit by a vehicle while walking in Victoria, you have the right under Texas law to seek compensation for your injuries from the at-fault driver. 

DeHoyos Accident Attorneys provides compassionate and skilled legal representation to ensure Victoria pedestrian accident victims receive the justice and financial recovery they deserve.

Being struck by a vehicle can leave you with devastating injuries, emotional trauma, and overwhelming medical bills. You should not have to bear this burden alone, especially when someone else’s carelessness caused your pain and suffering.

Where Pedestrian Crashes Happen in Victoria

While pedestrian accidents can occur anywhere, certain areas in Victoria pose a higher risk due to traffic patterns and visibility issues. We frequently see incidents occur in these locations:

Downtown Navarro Street: 

Heavy vehicle traffic combined with shoppers and business patrons creates a high-risk zone

Laurent Street Crossings: 

Poorly lit areas and a lack of marked crosswalks contribute to accidents, especially at night

Loop 463 Frontage Roads: 

High-speed traffic and drivers merging without checking for pedestrians make these roads particularly dangerous.

University of Houston-Victoria Campus Area: 

The mix of student foot traffic and commuter vehicles often leads to collisions

DeLeon Plaza Vicinity: 

Tourists and locals navigating downtown can create unpredictable situations for drivers

These accidents are almost always preventable and occur because a driver was distracted, speeding, or simply failed to yield the right of way. The driver who hit you owes you compensation for the harm they caused through their negligence.

What Are Your Rights Under Texas Pedestrian Laws?

Texas law is designed to protect pedestrians. According to the Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 552, drivers are legally required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

This means motorists must stop and wait for you to cross safely. However, pedestrians also have a duty to act with reasonable care, such as using sidewalks when available and not darting into traffic.

Even if you were not in a designated crosswalk, you may still have a strong case if the driver’s negligence caused your injuries. Many streets in Victoria lack proper crosswalks, and drivers must still exercise reasonable care to avoid hitting pedestrians anywhere on the roadway.

Texas follows a system known as modified comparative fault. This is a legal rule that says you can still recover money for your injuries as long as you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you bear some responsibility, your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault, but you don’t lose everything.

Who Is Liable for a Victoria Pedestrian Accident?

In most cases, the driver of the vehicle that struck you is the primary liable party. Liable means legally responsible for paying damages. However, sometimes other parties can also be held accountable.

Commercial Drivers and Employers

If you were hit by a delivery truck, 18-wheeler, or another company vehicle, the driver’s employer may be held liable through a concept known as vicarious liability. This means the company is responsible for the actions of its employees while they are working.

These cases often involve larger insurance policies, which can be crucial for covering severe injuries and associated expenses. Commercial vehicles typically carry much higher insurance limits than regular passenger cars.

Government Entities and Property Owners

In some situations, a government entity could be at fault for a poorly maintained road or malfunctioning traffic signal. Likewise, a private property owner could be liable if an unsafe condition in their parking lot or on their sidewalk led to your accident.

Claims against government bodies often involve special procedures and deadlines, so it’s essential to act quickly if you believe a government entity may be responsible. Missing this deadline can destroy your case completely.

Hit-and-Run and UM UIM Options

If the driver who hit you fled the scene or did not have enough insurance, you may still have options. Your own auto insurance policy’s Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage can often be used to cover your damages from a pedestrian accident.

We are skilled at identifying all possible sources of coverage. Sometimes multiple insurance policies can provide compensation for your injuries.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

If a negligent driver injured you, you are entitled to seek compensation for all of your losses. A successful claim can help you recover damages in several categories.

Economic damages 

Economic damages cover your financial losses. This includes everything from the initial emergency room visit and ambulance ride to surgeries, physical therapy, and any future medical care you may need. 

You can also recover lost wages for the income you missed while unable to work, as well as any reduction in your future earning capacity due to your injuries.

Non-economic damages

Non-economic damages compensate you for things that don’t have a precise dollar amount. This includes physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by the accident and your injuries. 

If your injuries result in scarring, disfigurement, or a permanent disability, you can seek damages for the long-term impact on your quality of life.

Unlike in some other states, Texas does not place a cap on economic or non-economic damages in most pedestrian accident cases. The only major exception is for claims filed against government entities, which are typically capped at 250,000 per person.

Wrongful Death and Survival Actions

If a pedestrian accident results in a fatality, the victim’s surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit. This action seeks compensation for their own losses, such as lost financial support and loss of companionship.

Additionally, a survival action can be filed on behalf of the deceased’s estate to recover for the pain and suffering the victim endured before their passing. 

There are important deadlines for filing both types of claims after a fatal pedestrian accident, so it’s wise to take legal action as soon as possible.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to understand your rights and learn how we can help you recover what you’ve lost.

What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?

The actions you take immediately following a pedestrian accident can significantly impact your health and your ability to file a successful legal claim. Quick action protects both your physical recovery and your legal rights.

Call 911 and Get Medical Care

Your health is the top priority. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, it is crucial to be evaluated by a medical professional. Adrenaline can mask severe conditions like internal bleeding or brain injuries that may not show symptoms immediately.

Calling 911 also ensures that a police report is created, which serves as vital evidence for your case. The police report documents the scene and often includes the officer’s opinion about who caused the accident.

Preserve Evidence at the Scene

If you are physically able, gather as much evidence as possible. Take photos and videos of the accident scene, the vehicle that hit you, your injuries, and any relevant details like skid marks or traffic signals.

Be sure to get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Witness testimony can be crucial in proving the driver was at fault, especially if they try to blame you for the accident.

Avoid Recorded Statements

The at-fault driver’s insurance company will likely contact you promptly and request a recorded statement. You should decline to provide one until you have spoken with an attorney.

Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to get you to minimize your injuries or accept partial blame for the accident. Anything you say can be used against you later to reduce or deny your claim.

Call a Victoria Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Contacting a Victoria pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible ensures that critical evidence is preserved and that your rights are protected from the start. We will handle all communications with the insurance companies, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Early legal intervention can make the difference between a fair settlement and a lowball offer that doesn’t cover your actual damages.

Why Choose DeHoyos Accident Attorneys in Victoria?

For over a decade, DeHoyos Accident Attorneys has been a dedicated advocate for injury victims across the Houston area. We are proud to bring that same commitment and personalized service to the residents of Victoria.

Local Knowledge and Direct Access to Your Lawyer

We understand the specific challenges of navigating Victoria’s roads and court systems. When you work with our firm, you work directly with attorney Ryan DeHoyos, not a case manager or paralegal.

This hands-on approach is what sets us apart from larger firms that may treat you like just another case number. You will have direct access to your attorney throughout your case, and we will explain everything in plain English without legal jargon.

No Fee Unless We Win

Everyone deserves access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs or attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.

We advance all case expenses, so there is no financial risk to you. This aligns our interests with yours – we only get paid when you get paid.

How We Pursue Your Case

We manage every aspect of your legal claim from start to finish, allowing you to focus on your recovery. Our process is thorough and designed to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Evidence We Secure

Our investigation goes beyond the initial police report. We gather crucial evidence to prove liability and maximize your compensation:

Accident reconstruction reports: 

Industry experts analyze the crash to determine exactly how it happened

Surveillance footage: 

We quickly obtain video from nearby businesses or traffic cameras before it gets deleted

Cell phone records: 

We can prove if the driver was texting or talking on their phone when they hit you

Vehicle data: 

Modern cars have “black box” recorders that show speed, braking, and other critical information

This evidence is often crucial in proving the driver was negligent and securing the compensation you deserve.

Medical and Billing Support

Dealing with medical providers and bills can be overwhelming after an accident. We coordinate with your doctors to ensure your injuries are properly documented, and we handle all insurance paperwork to protect you from hospital liens and collection agencies.

If you need help finding a specialist, we can connect you with trusted medical experts. We also work with your medical providers to arrange payment plans or agreements that allow for direct payment from your settlement.

Tough Negotiation and Trial-Ready

Insurance companies are more likely to offer a fair settlement when they know your attorney is prepared to go to trial. While most of our cases settle out of court, we prepare every claim as if a jury will decide it.

This trial-ready approach provides us with significant leverage during negotiations and ensures we are always prepared to advocate for the maximum compensation you deserve. Insurance companies know we won’t accept lowball offers and will take cases to court when necessary.

Call for a Free, No-Obligation Consultation WIth Our Victoria Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

After a serious pedestrian accident, time is of the essence. Evidence can be lost, witness statements become less reliable as memories fade, and strict legal deadlines must be met. The insurance company for the driver who hit you is already working to minimize its payout.

You need an experienced advocate on your side who will fight for the full compensation you deserve. We offer free consultations to discuss the specifics of your Victoria pedestrian accident claim and explain your legal options.

Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you during this vulnerable time. Contact us today to learn how we can help you get the justice and financial recovery you need to move forward with your life.