Texas Accident & Injury News
Pedestrian accidents on the rise in Texas
(August 2, 2022) The Texas Department of Transportation’s Pedestrian Safety Outreach team suited up and hit the streets of downtown Houston to spread awareness of its “Be Safe. Drive Smart” campaign while auto accidents involving pedestrians are on the rise in Texas. The State of Texas currently stands eleventh in the ranking of deadliest states for auto-pedestrian accidents. These numbers are only getting worse, as the year 2021 saw a fifteen percent increase over the previous year.
Did you know?
Auto-pedestrian accidents now account for one in five of all traffic fatalities across the State of Texas.
Why did the Texas DOT decide to do this in Houston?
As reported by San Antonio Express-News, Harris County is one of the deadliest areas in Texas for pedestrians. Roughly one-fifth or 204 of the reported fatalities across the State happened in Harris County last year, and there are already reports of at least eighty-eight fatalities this year. These numbers are sometimes delayed due to the nature of the police filing system.
Auto-pedestrian accident statistics
The year 2021 saw 5,366 auto-pedestrian accidents, which resulted in 1,470 injuries and a staggering 841 deaths in Texas. Pedestrian accidents are only one percent of total auto accidents in Texas, and yet they account for nearly nineteen percent of all roadway fatalities. In a press release, Director Marc Williams of the TxDOT explained that this is due in large part to the fact that pedestrians do not have any of the protections afforded by motor vehicles.
What causes auto-pedestrian accidents?
There are many reasons why an auto-pedestrian accident may occur in Texas. An accident involving a pedestrian can occur when the pedestrian is illegally attempting to cross the street, like in the case of the fatal accident involving a pedestrian on I-10 last week. Sometimes it is due to driver negligence like speeding through parking lots or failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
What can I do to stay safe as a pedestrian when crossing the street?
The TxDOT recommends that pedestrians follow some simple techniques to remain safe while crossing the streets of Texas, including:
- Only crossing at provided crosswalks or intersections, looking twice before stepping into the street.
- Make eye contact with a driver before crossing in front of a vehicle instead of assuming that the driver can see you.
- Obey all of the provided signs and signals at crosswalks
For more information on pedestrian and driver safety, video resources, and other resources, go to the TxDOT website.
If you have been injured in an auto-pedestrian accident in Texas, either as the driver or the pedestrian, please reach out to our team for specifics about personal injury law. This article is provided for informational purposes and is not intended to replace legal counsel.
Have you been injured or lost a loved one in an auto-pedestrian accident in San Antonio?
The Law Office of Carabin Shaw has been serving the auto-pedestrian accident victims of San Antonio for thirty years. We have extensive experience in personal injury laws involving pedestrians needed to represent you in your personal injury or wrongful death claim. For more information or to receive your free initial consultation with a dedicated member of our team, call 800-862-1260 today.