Texas Accident & Injury News
Failing to stop and render aid is a Third-Degree Felony in Texas.
Pedestrian Hospitalized in a Hit-and-Run
According to a San Antonio Express-News report, an unidentified pedestrian was hospitalized after a hit-and-run accident late Saturday night in San Antonio.
The pedestrian was not crossing at a crosswalk on the 1000 block of Amanda Street, according to the preliminary police report. The driver was in a dark grey vehicle and did not stop and render aid. The pedestrian was hospitalized in serious condition, and if they died, the accident would have been elevated to a second-degree felony with up to 20 years of jail time. The accident is under investigation.
Did You Know?
The most common place for pedestrian accidents is urban roads in heavily populated areas.
Pedestrian Accidents in San Antonio
San Antonio is a heavily populated blend of vibrant nightlife, family activities, and tourism, which is why it is no surprise that the city had some of the highest growth rates in the country between 2020 and 2021. However, this population boom has come with greater pedestrian accidents, as recent years have seen an increase in pedestrian accident rates.
It’s important that you understand your rights if you have been in a pedestrian accident in San Antonio or the surrounding area. Let’s answer some commonly asked questions regarding pedestrian accidents.
Should I Accept a Settlement After a Pedestrian Accident?
If you have been only minorly injured after a pedestrian accident (which is very unusual), it can be tempting to simply accept the insurance company’s offer. Of course, you are always free to accept an insurance company’s initial offer; however, it is not recommended that you do so. It can happen that you find out after you’ve already accepted a settlement that your injuries were worse than you thought or that you will require more time to recover than you initially expected and that the settlement won’t cover those costs. Unfortunately, if you accept a settlement you cannot file a claim for compensation afterward, which is why it is recommended that you speak to an attorney before speaking to the driver’s insurance company.
What Kind of Damages Can I Claim in a Pedestrian Lawsuit?
Just like passengers in an auto accident, pedestrians have recovery rights, meaning that if they are not at fault for the accident, they may collect damages which include:
- Emergency room and ambulance bills
- Surgery costs, including cosmetic surgery to correct scarring
- Ongoing care costs (i.e., physical therapy, home nursing, and other household help)
- Lost wages and/or earning capacity
- Cost of medical equipment (i.e., home modifications, wheelchairs, etc.)
This is by no means an exhaustive list. To find out exactly what damages you are entitled to for your pedestrian injury, contact a pedestrian injury attorney.
How Long Does a Pedestrian Lawsuit Take?
Everyone’s case is different, but generally speaking, a pedestrian claim will be settled in the months following their complete recovery or maximum medical improvement. This is to ensure that the settlement amount encompasses the full extent of the injury and its impact on the pedestrian’s life.
Pedestrian Injury Attorneys Serving San Antonio
Don’t become another statistic. If you have been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident in San Antonio, talk to the attorneys at the Carabin Shaw law firm. We have been representing the personal injury claims of injured pedestrians in San Antonio and the surrounding area for thirty years, and we care. Contact Carabin Shaw today to get started at 800-862-1260, or fill out this form. We look forward to serving you.