Pedestrians in Dallas face serious risks on streets built for heavy vehicle traffic. Without the protection of a car, even a slow-moving vehicle can cause devastating harm. If you or someone you know has been struck by a negligent driver, O’Hare and Koch can help you pursue justice.
Our attorneys have decades of experience representing injured pedestrians throughout Dallas and the North Texas area. We know how to investigate complex crash scenes, handle insurance disputes, and demand full compensation for those whose lives have been changed in an instant by negligent drivers.
Causes of Dallas Pedestrian Accidents
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, pedestrian fatalities have risen steadily across Texas in recent years. Dallas’s growing population and traffic density contribute to hundreds of serious injuries each year, many caused by avoidable driver errors.
Frequent causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving: Using phones or in-car systems instead of watching the road.
- Failure to yield: Drivers turning without checking crosswalks or intersections.
- Speeding: Higher speeds reduce reaction time and make collisions more severe.
- Driving under the influence: Impairment dulls awareness and judgment.
- Poor visibility: Deficient lighting, bad weather, or obstructed views.
- Unsafe backing: Vehicles exiting parking spaces or driveways without looking.
Every one of these scenarios is preventable when drivers stay alert and respect pedestrian right-of-way laws.
Recent Pedestrian Accidents in Dallas Highlight the Risk
Pedestrian accidents reveal the troubling reality that even the most cautious pedestrians can be at risk when drivers are distracted, impaired, or simply not paying attention.
Here are just three recent examples that underscore how often these types of tragedies occur in Dallas:
- Downtown Dallas – N. Lamar and Elm Street: A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle near this busy intersection in the heart of downtown. CBS Texas
- Harry Hines Boulevard – 5200 Block: Police reported that a truck driver lost control and hit a pedestrian in this commercial corridor. The pedestrian later died from their injuries. WFAA News
- East Ledbetter Drive: In another recent crash, a vehicle left the roadway, struck a pedestrian on the sidewalk, and collided with a light pole, killing both the driver and the pedestrian. FOX 4 Dallas
Common Injuries Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians often suffer multiple, severe injuries because they have no protection from impact. Common injuries include:
- Head or traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord damage or paralysis
- Broken or crushed bones
- Internal organ injuries
- Severe lacerations or disfigurement
- Emotional trauma and post-accident anxiety
- Wrongful death
Even “minor” injuries can lead to long recoveries, ongoing medical care, or permanent impairment.
Compensation Available to Injured Dallas Pedestrians
Under Texas law, injured pedestrians can seek compensation for both financial damages and non-economic losses resulting from their injuries. The amount depends on the severity of harm and its long-term consequences.
You may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, hospital care, surgeries, therapy, and future medical needs.
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity: Wages lost during recovery and limits on future earning potential.
- Physical pain and suffering: Ongoing pain, limited mobility, and the physical toll of recovery.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, or trauma caused by the accident.
- Disfigurement: Scarring or other visible injuries that change appearance.
- Disabilities: Permanent or long-term impairments.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Hobbies and experiences you can no longer fully enjoy.
- Property damage: Clothing, phones, or other belongings damaged in the crash.
If you lost a loved one in a pedestrian collision, your family may also pursue a wrongful death claim. For examples of past recoveries, please review our case results.
Who is Liable for Pedestrian Knockdowns in Dallas?
While negligent drivers are most often to blame, other parties can share liability. Depending on how the crash occurred, responsibility may extend to:
- Employers of delivery or commercial drivers
- Property owners who failed to maintain safe walkways or lighting
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers, if mechanical defects contributed
- City or county agencies responsible for unsafe road design or poor maintenance
- Other motor vehicle operators or third parties who caused or contributed to incident
Our attorneys thoroughly investigate each case, gathering video footage, photographs, witness statements, and expert opinions to identify all liable parties.
Understanding Comparative Fault in Texas
Texas follows a comparative fault rule under Chapter 33 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. This means that an injured pedestrian may still recover damages even if partially responsible for the incident, as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50 percent.
Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payments by arguing things like the pedestrian “stepped into traffic” or “wasn’t in the crosswalk.” We know how to challenge these tactics so that you’re actions are not mischaracterized by the defense.
Filing Deadlines for Pedestrian Accident Claims
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. Acting quickly also helps collect and preserve crucial evidence—such as traffic camera footage, 911 recordings, and eyewitness accounts—before they are lost or overwritten.
Working with a Dallas pedestrian accident attorney helps you avoid these critical mistakes.
Why Injured Dallas Pedestrians Choose O’Hare and Koch
At O’Hare and Koch, we bring over 25 years of experience to every personal injury case. Our attorneys are dedicated to providing compassionate, results-focused representation for you and your loved ones.
When you work with our firm, you can expect:
- Thorough case preparation: Each case is built from the ground up with detailed evidence, expert consultation, and strategic investigation.
- Direct communication: You’ll always know where your case stands and why we recommend specific steps.
- Focused negotiation and litigation: We negotiate from strength and are fully prepared to take your case to trial when necessary.
- No upfront costs: We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Our experience spans a wide range of personal injury matters, giving us the insight to recognize how different types of negligence overlap. Whether you were injured as a pedestrian or in a car or truck crash, we can help. Learn more about our work with Dallas car accident victims.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Dallas Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one was injured while walking anywhere in Dallas, contact O’Hare and Koch today. We offer free, confidential consultations and charge no fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
When you work with our firm, you can expect straightforward communication, practical legal guidance, and genuine compassion at every stage of your case.