Houston is a walkable city, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and entertainment options that residents and visitors can walk to. A Houston resident may want to spend a night of fun walking from location to location in Avenida Houston, but they must be aware of the dangers of pedestrian accidents.
Pedestrians in Houston can suffer catastrophic pedestrian accidents when a negligent driver crashes into them or a pedestrian makes an error. They can suffer severe pedestrian accident injuries, such as knee injuries, broken bones, or spinal cord injuries.
Some tips for avoiding Houston pedestrian accidents include only crossing intersections and crosswalks, walking on sidewalks, avoiding distractions, and not walking while impaired. Houston pedestrians who walk safely but still suffer a pedestrian accident from a negligent driver can file a pedestrian accident claim to pursue compensatory damages.
Houston Pedestrians Can Suffer Severe Accidents From Negligent Drivers
One type of personal injury accident Houston residents can suffer is a pedestrian accident. This normally involves a motor vehicle striking a pedestrian while commuting on foot. The Houston pedestrian accident victim can experience blunt-force trauma from getting struck by a car.
A Houston pedestrian accident can cause a severe physical injury like a traumatic brain injury (TBI), bone fracture, or spinal cord injury. Texas is a dangerous state for pedestrians. There were 687 pedestrian accident fatalities in 2020.
In a recent study, Houston ranked as one of the 25 most dangerous cities in the US for pedestrians. Data from the Texas Department of Transportation shows that Houston has 5.16 pedestrian accident fatalities per 100,000 residents, with 119 pedestrian deaths in 2022.
Only Cross Streets at Intersections and Crosswalks in Houston
Avoiding a Houston pedestrian accident requires the pedestrian to follow tips for staying safe for their commute on foot. One essential safety tip is to avoid crossing streets and roads without a crosswalk at an intersection.
A pedestrian crossing a street without a traffic control signal telling them they can cross can come into contact with reckless drivers. There is nothing to stop a driver from plowing directly into the pedestrian. Houston pedestrians must come to an intersection at a street corner, wait for their signal to cross, and use the crosswalk to move to the other side of the street.
When crossing through an intersection, pedestrians must still be wary, as Houston has dangerous intersections. Drivers can still fail to abide by traffic control signals and run red lights, possibly causing an intersection crash. When crossing the street, pedestrians should look both ways and only proceed when the path is clear.
Houston Pedestrians Should Stay on Sidewalks
Houston pedestrians should also make sure that they stay on the sidewalk unless they are in a crosswalk. The sidewalk is the safest place for a pedestrian, as walking in the street can expose the pedestrian to reckless driving behavior like speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving.
Sidewalks are designed for foot travel, giving pedestrians a safe place to walk to avoid getting hit by a large motor vehicle. Some pedestrians may wish to walk in the street to cross over to the other side. This is called jaywalking and is illegal in Texas.
In a situation where there is no sidewalk, the pedestrian should walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. This way, a Houston pedestrian can stay out of the way of traffic but still have an eye on it to get out of the way should a reckless driver come close to hitting them.
Avoid Walking in Houston While Impaired
Everyone should realize the dangers of drunk driving, as an inebriated driver can have worsened vision, decision-making, and risk assessment that can lead to them making a mistake behind the wheel. However, walking while intoxicated can also lead to catastrophic mistakes.
A drunk walker will have the same issues as a drunk driver, as alcohol can affect the brain regardless of whether they’re driving or walking. Instead of running a red light, speeding, or striking another driver, an intoxicated walker could make mistakes like jaywalking, walking directly into traffic, or passing through a crosswalk before they have a signal to do so.
Houston residents and visitors who go out drinking should always have a designated driver, even if their house is within walking distance. This can help mitigate mistakes caused by alcohol’s effect on the brain and can help them avoid a life-altering pedestrian accident.
Stay Focused and Avoid Distractions While Walking in Houston
Houston pedestrians should also avoid distractions while walking. When a walker is not focused on the task at hand, they can accidentally walk into traffic or a heavy object that can cause severe harm. Preventing pain and suffering from pedestrian accident injuries involves a pedestrian focusing on walking safely and avoiding obstacles that can cause physical pain.
The following are some distractions Houston pedestrians should avoid to prevent pedestrian accidents:
- Texting and talking on the phone
- Surfing the web or using social media
- Listening intently to music or podcasts
- Looking off into the distance and away from their walking path
- Thinking about something other than walking safely
Houston Parking Lot Safety Tips
Houston pedestrian accidents can also happen in parking lots when people walking to and from stores, restaurants, and other establishments are struck by vehicles. There are numerous safety tips to avoid a Houston parking lot accident that can cause a severe physical injury:
- Remain visible to drivers in the parking lot
- Wait for a driver to pull out before advancing through the parking lot
- Avoid walking into driver blind spots
- Do not walk through a parking lot distracted
- Remember where you parked so you know where you’re going upon departure
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Houston Pedestrian Accident Claim
At The Russo Firm, our Houston pedestrian accident lawyers can use their experience helping Houston personal injury victims to help you recover compensatory damages. Some damages they can help you recover include medical bills, lost wages, and loss of consortium.
Our Houston pedestrian accident attorneys can use their knowledge of Houston personal injury laws to inform the claims process and help you recover fair compensation from an insurance company trying to limit your settlement. Contact us for a free Houston pedestrian accident consultation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
