Amarillo Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Do Pedestrians Have the Right of Way in Texas?

Just as drivers are required to follow the law and ensure the safety of those around them, pedestrians also have a responsibility to obey the rules of the road. While pedestrians often have the right of way—and motorists should always do everything they can to avoid an accident with a pedestrian—there are some instances in which pedestrians are required to yield to oncoming traffic.

In Texas, pedestrians have the right of way when:

• Crossing the road in a crosswalk in the direction of a traffic control device displaying a “walk” signal
• Crossing the road in a marked or unmarked crosswalk in the direction of a green light
• Crossing a driveway or the opening to a parking lot, alley, private road, or building/property

Additionally, drivers must yield to pedestrians when pedestrians are in a crosswalk and are on the same half of the street as the driver or are approaching from the opposite side but are close enough to be in danger. Drivers should also always yield to individuals crossing the road with the assistance of a guide dog/animal or cane, and drivers are not permitted to pass a vehicle that has stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross.

Pedestrians in Texas should yield to vehicles when:

• A traffic control device is displaying a “do not walk” or “wait” signal
• Coming up on an intersection that has a steady yellow or red traffic signal
• There is no marked crosswalk
• Crossing in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection
• Attempting to cross a roadway when there is an overhead crossing bridge or pedestrian tunnel

Pedestrians should also always remain aware of their surroundings and avoid “darting out” into roadways, even when crossing in a designated crosswalk. If it seems as though it may be too late for a vehicle to stop in time to avoid hitting you, it is always best to wait until the vehicle has passed.

Why You Should Seek Legal Help Right Away

Pedestrian accidents require thorough investigation. There may not have been witnesses and even if there were, they may not have seen the whole event and what led up to you or your loved one getting hit. Our Amarillo pedestrian accident lawyers need to collect and preserve the evidence in your case as soon as possible. Over time, surveillance and traffic camera video may be destroyed, and witnesses may forget important details or become difficult to locate.

There is also a time limit for filing your lawsuit. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. If you wait too long and let the deadline pass, you will lose your right to sue for your pedestrian accident injuries or the death of your loved one. In Texas, the statute of limitations on most personal injury claims, including cases involving pedestrian accidents, is two years from the date of the accident/injury.