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HOW CAN A LAWYER HELP A PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY AN AUTOMOBILE?The Texas Department of Transportation shows that there were 5,952 reports of pedestrians struck by automobiles in 2019 in Texas. There were 660 fatalities in those pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians were injured in 5,049 of those accidents. When an automobile strikes a pedestrian the consequences are serious and often deadly.
Hiring an auto accident attorney who will protect your rights, seek the compensation you deserve, and ultimately help guide you through your case with the experience, expertise, and desire for justice that your case deserves is the first step on the road to recovery.
Call (972) 599 4100 if you need a Dallas pedestrian accident lawyer. We will begin working on your case immediately. We assist our clients in a variety of ways, including:
The Law Office of Doug Goyen gets results for our clients. We get your medical bills paid. We help you find a medical facility that can treat you for your injuries. We get your lost income related to your injury. We get our clients the compensation they deserve for their cases and get them the full value of their cases.
Doug Goyen was an injury claims adjuster for several years before obtaining his law license in Texas and becoming an attorney in 1997. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Dallas with his Bachelors of Science in 1994 and graduated from SMU’s Dedman School of Law in 1997 obtaining his law degree. Attorney Doug Goyen’s education, experience, training, and knowledge give him a unique skill set that helps ensure you receive the best representation for your injury case. If you need a personal injury lawyer after getting hit as a pedestrian call (972) 599 4100 the phone consultation is free or contact us with our website contact form. There is no fee unless you win.
No Fee Unless You Win Call (972) 599 4100
WHAT IS THE SETTLEMENT VALUE OF A PEDESTRIAN INJURY CASE?Our clients who have been injured in a pedestrian accident are often most concerned about medical bills. Because you can recover for past, current, and anticipated future medical costs, it is critical to carefully document the medical care and treatments you have already received and accurately estimate the care you will require in the future in order to claim damages. In some cases, you may be able to forecast your future medical costs. One of the advantages of retaining legal counsel with experience in pedestrian accident litigation is that we can assist you in doing so more efficiently because we have done so for other clients in similar situations.
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DALLAS PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT LAWYERPedestrians Involved in Automobile Accidents: Pedestrian auto accidents always “appear” simple at first. Pedestrians hit by cars are one type of car accident injury case. We are taught to yield to pedestrians from the moment we get behind the wheel. It always seems like it should be pretty straightforward: if you hit a pedestrian, you must pay for any injuries you cause, right? Not so fast, insurance companies are not easy to deal with. When an accident occurs, it’s unsettling how often the police and others try to blame the pedestrian for at least some of the fault.
The driver of the vehicle, or their insurance company, will frequently (more frequently than you might expect) try to shift the blame onto the pedestrian. A bus that cut a corner and ran over a pedestrian who was standing on the corner waiting for the light to change is an example I’ve seen. The bus driver came from behind the pedestrian and turned right, cutting the corner and running over the pedestrian. The bus driver attempted to claim that the pedestrian was not paying attention to where they were walking and walked into the side of the bus; fortunately for me, the incident occurred downtown in front of a large business, and there was a security video. The bus was seen running up onto the sidewalk and curb as it turned the corner, according to security footage.
Without the video, it would have been a swearing match because the bus driver was already fabricating a story to blame the pedestrian, and the police department involved in the investigation was supporting the bus driver’s statement until the video surfaced. An auto accident injury lawyer will know how to gather evidence for your case. Defendants frequently claim that the pedestrian was not in the crosswalk; this is often due to the fact that when they hit you, they knocked you outside the crosswalk area, and the first time they see you is after they have hit you.
Often, drivers and their insurance adjusters try to blame the pedestrian, claiming that the pedestrian should have seen the car coming and moved out of the way (even if the pedestrian is in a parking lot, a crosswalk, or at an intersection cross where pedestrians are supposed to be when walking – and the driver should be yielding to the pedestrian). An experienced accident injury lawyer will understand what evidence is required to counter their attempt to shift blame to the pedestrian. Every year, approximately 5,000 pedestrians are killed in traffic accidents. In the Dallas, North Texas area, we represent people who have been injured. We represent survivors of pedestrians killed as a result of the negligence of others. Call us at (972) 599 4100 or use our website contact form to get in touch with us right away.
Call For A Free Case Review (972) 599 4100
TEXAS LAWS REGARDING PEDESTRIANSThe Texas Transportation Code Chapter 552 contains laws regarding pedestrians and traffic.
Section 552.001 states that a traffic light displaying green, red, and yellow lights applies to pedestrians unless otherwise directed by a special pedestrian control signal. A pedestrian facing a green signal may proceed across the roadway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk unless the sole green signal is a turn arrow. A pedestrian facing a red signal or a steady yellow may not enter the roadway.
Section 552.002 states that if a pedestrian is at an intersection with a “Walk” signal, that the pedestrian may cross the roadway in the direction of the signal and that any vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian. If the “Don’t Walk” or “Wait” signal is displayed while the pedestrian is crossing then the pedestrian shall head to the sidewalk or proceed to the safety island while the “Don’t Walk” or “Wait” signal is displayed.
Section 552.003 states that an operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing a roadway in a crosswalk if no traffic signal is in place or in operation and the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway the vehicle is traveling or approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
Part (b) of 552.003 states that a pedestrian is not allowed to suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and proceed into a crosswalk into the path of a vehicle so close that it is impossible for the vehicle to yield.
Part (c) of 552.003 states that a vehicle that is behind another vehicle that is yielding to a pedestrian at a crosswalk may not pass that stopped vehicle.
Section 552.004 states that pedestrians should keep to the right of the crosswalk if possible.
Section 552.005 covers crossing at points other than a crosswalk. Part (a) states that a pedestrian shall yield the right of way to a vehicle on the highway if crossing at a place other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection or where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided.
Part (b) of section 552.005 states that at adjacent intersections with traffic controls that are in operation pedestrians may only cross in the marked crosswalk. Part (c) states that pedestrians may only cross an intersection diagonally if it is authorized by a traffic control device.
Section 552.006 states that pedestrians may not walk along and on a roadway if an adjacent sidewalk is provided and accessible to the pedestrian. If a sidewalk is not provided a pedestrian walking along and on a highway shall if possible walk in the left side of the roadway or the shoulder of the highway facing oncoming traffic.
Part (c) of Section 552.006 states that vehicles emerging from or entering an alley, building, or private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian approaching on the sidewalk.
Section 552.008 states that a motor vehicle operator shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian on the roadway, give warning by sounding the horn if necessary, and exercise proper precaution when observing a child or obviously confused or incapacitated person on a roadway.
Call to discuss your case with our car accident injury lawyer. Pedestrian injuries can be life-threatening. Pedestrians hit by vehicles can sustain injuries to the spinal cord, head, neck, or paralysis, as well as broken bones or limb loss. We understand your desire to have your medical bills paid, to be compensated for lost wages, and to force the insurance company to pay for all aspects of your injury in all ways that it has caused you harm. We will discuss your case with you, assist you in determining the best course of action for your situation, and work to ensure that the insurance company and any other parties involved are forced to take care of your needs appropriately and promptly.
If you are a pedestrian injured in an accident, call (972) 599-4100 for a FREE consultation regarding your case.
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TYPES OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT CASES WE HANDLEThe Law Office of Doug Goyen handles personal injury motor vehicle cases throughout the state of Texas. This includes car crash cases (automobiles, 18 wheelers, drunk driver accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrians struck by vehicles, bicycles struck by vehicles, Dram Shop cases, and Wrongful Deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents).
We deal with the insurance company and protect your rights while you focus on what you need to do to get better and take care of yourself and those around you.
Large commercial trucks do serious damage and cause serious injuries. We will fight for you to get you the compensation you deserve and protect your rights while you recover.
Drunk drivers cause serious injuries and death every year. We fight their insurance companies to get you compensated for the damage and injury they have caused you.
Pedestrians struck by vehicles can suffer serious injuries. We represent people injured in by negligent drivers and help our clients get compensation for their injury.
Bicyclists are at risk of serious injury if they are hit by a vehicle. We represent bicyclists who have been hit by careless drivers.
When bars or restaurants continue to over-serve drunk people, and those people cause accidents that result in injuries, we assist clients in obtaining compensation for their injuries.
We fight for the rights of motorcyclists who have been hurt by careless drivers. We are fighting for full compensation from the insurance company.
When someone dies as a result of negligence from a motor vehicle accident, the family and estate have a claim against the negligent parties. We represent families and estates in obtaining restitution for their losses
Call For A Free Case Review (972) 599 4100
TYPES OF INJURIES CAUSED IN PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTSThe following types of injuries can occur in motor vehicle accidents, especially in accidents with pedestrians:
The following types of auto insurance may be used in certain circumstances in auto accidents. The insurance used may be affected by the use of health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, Workers Comp, or other types of insurance. Which insurance should be used first is often complicated and depends on the facts of the case. A personal injury lawyer that handles auto accidents can help guide you through the use of insurance in your case to ensure you maximize the use of benefits available. In Texas, the following types of insurance are often available to be used in pedestrian auto accidents and injury claims.
1) Liability Insurance for Auto Claims: All drivers in Texas are required by law to carry liability insurance. Auto liability insurance covers the damage that drivers cause by negligence to someone else or someone else’s property.
2) Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Insurance for Auto Claims: Uninsured Motorist Coverage is mandatory for insurance companies to offer when buying a policy (but can be rejected) that pays for damage done to you by someone who is at fault but does not have liability insurance.
3) Personal Injury Protection: Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is insurance that liability insurance companies in Texas are required to offer (but can be rejected) and is used to pay you, the covered person, for various expenses incurred as a result of an automobile collision.
4) Medical Payments Coverage or MedPay: MedPay is an optional insurance policy that can be added to an auto policy that typically covers a portion of the covered person’s medical bills.
FREE CASE REVIEWSCall today for a free phone consultation and a free strategy session regarding your injury case. The free strategy session includes a summary of the facts in your case, legal issues identified during the strategy session, and identification of those legal issues that will help maximize recovery in your case. We will email a copy of this strategy session to you for your records. Call us at (972) 599 4100.
EXAMPLES OF PEDESTRIAN CASES WITH LIABILITY ISSUES RESOLVEDCase: Pedestrian injured by a car. Driver lies to her insurance company about what happened when striking a pedestrian crossing the street: (Pedestrian struck by a car turning left. The driver claims the pedestrian ran into their path. We located a witness that the police had not been able to talk to and the witness confirmed our client’s version of the collision. The insurance company then decided to settle the case). Follow the link for more details: Pedestrian crossing street knocked 20 feet down the road.
Case: Pedestrian struck in a parking lot and knocked headfirst into a parked car’s bumper: (Our client was walking to her car in a parking lot when a car came from behind her and tried to turn into a parking spot next to where she was walking. The car struck our client and forced her headfirst into a parked car’s bumper. The driver of the car claimed our client walked into her vehicle. Police could not determine fault due to conflicting statements. We obtained photos of the scene from the police who came out to the scene. At trial, we were able to show that the driver’s statements about what happened were not consistent with the photographs of the actual scene where the collision occurred. The case was taken to trial and a verdict in favor of our client). Follow the link for more details: A woman knocked headfirst into the bumper of a parked car in the parking lot.
Case: The bus rolls up onto the curb and strikes a pedestrian who was waiting for the walk sign at the light. (City had initially denied responsibility for a city bus accident. We were able to obtain the video to prove our pedestrian client was struck by a bus that had driven up over the curb as it was turning and struck our client causing her injuries. The city then decided to settle the claim). Follow the link for more details: The bus rolls up onto the curb and strikes a pedestrian who was waiting for the walk sign at the light.
THERE IS NO FEE IF WE DO NOT WINYou owe us nothing if we are unable to recover. We charge a contingency fee structured to take a percentage of what we recover. As a performance-based contract, the better we do for you, the better we do for ourselves. This aligns our interests in the case with our client’s interests.
Call For A Free Case Review (972) 599 4100
DIRECTIONS TO OUR OFFICELaw Office of Doug Goyen
15851 Dallas Pkwy #605
Addison, Texas 75001
(972) 599 4100 phone
(972) 398 2629 fax
Directions to our office: We are on the southbound side of the service road to the Tollway. Stay on the Dallas North Tollway until you come to the Keller Springs exit. Take the Keller Spring exit. Stay on the service road on the southbound side and go just past Keller Springs. Our office is the 2nd building south of Keller Springs, located on the service road to the North Dallas Tollway in the Madison Business Center on the 6th floor.
By Doug Goyen, douggoyen@goyenlaw.com