Texas Accident & Injury News
When are you required to stop and render aid in Texas?
Woman Killed Walking Downtown
A woman identified as forty-two-year-old Corina Huerta was killed in a pedestrian accident while walking to her car, according to a San Antonio Express-News report. The woman was walking to her car in a downtown parking lot on Brooklyn Avenue and Dallas Street when she was pinned between two vehicles on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The driver stopped at attempted to help the woman, who later died of her injuries at the hospital. According to the report, the police determined the driver was not intoxicated at the time of the crash.
Did You Know?
Almost half of all fatal pedestrian accidents involve alcohol (42%), with the driver being intoxicated 13% of the time and the pedestrian being intoxicated 32% of the time.
Keeping Yourself Safe as a Pedestrian
San Antonio has had quite a few fatal pedestrian accidents this year, and pedestrian accidents are on the rise across the United States. Drivers have a responsibility to diligently watch for pedestrians and drive carefully through intersections, and pedestrians also must be vigilant to abide by traffic laws. Additionally, most pedestrian accidents happen at night and in urban areas, with those over 65 being the most vulnerable age group. Here are some tips from the CDC on how to keep yourself safe as a pedestrian, regardless of the time of day or location.
- Don’t walk near a street distracted – remove any earbuds or other wireless devices and put your phone away to avoid distraction, and keep your senses clear, especially at night.
- Cross at the crosswalk – if there is a crosswalk available, use it. Even if you don’t initially see anyone coming, it’s not worth the risk.
- Avoid alcohol or drugs before walking – impaired pedestrians are just as likely to make poor decisions as impaired drivers. Avoid walking for long distances if you are expecting to drink or take medication that may impair function.
If you have been injured as a pedestrian, drivers are required to stop and render aid, and if they fail to do this, it will result in criminal charges.
When Do I Have to Stop and Render Aid in Texas?
Texas law requires drivers to stop and details the actions that must be taken if there has been an accident that involves property damage or injury (or both).
For Injury:
If someone has been injured or killed in an auto accident, Texas Transportation Code 550.021 requires that drivers;
- Stop the vehicle at the accident site or as close as possible,
- Return immediately to the accident site if stopping there is not possible,
- Determine if there is an injured person in need of assistance,
- And remain at the scene until officers arrive.
For Property Damage:
If an auto accident results in property damage, Texas Transportation Code 550.022 requires that drivers;
- Stop at the scene if it does not unnecessarily obstruct traffic*,
- Return to the scene immediately if stopping is not possible,
- And wait at the scene until officers arrive.
*If the accident occurs on the freeway and vehicles can still be driven, the drivers should move both vehicles to the frontage road.
Failure to comply with any of the above steps can result in criminal charges for the offender.
Injured in an Auto Accident?
Carabin Shaw can help. Whether as a pedestrian or driver, if you were injured in an auto accident, contact our team of attorneys with thirty years of experience in personal injury law at 800-862-1260. We look forward to serving you.