Texas reported 767 pedestrian deaths in 2024, with many caused by drivers who fled the scene
Pedestrian accidents are bad enough under any circumstances. But what makes them even worse is that one out of four pedestrian deaths is due to hit-and-run accidents, according to a recent national study conducted by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
But what about Texas? How bad are pedestrian accidents in the Lone Star State? What about hit-and-run accidents in Texas? And what legal options are available to families after a fatal Texas hit-and-run pedestrian accident? The pedestrian accident lawyers at Hoover Rogers, LLP explain what you should know.
Pedestrian accident statistics paint a grim picture
In 2024, there were 767 pedestrian fatalities in Texas, according to the GHSA report. That figure is 5.2 percent less than 2023, when there were 809 pedestrian deaths in Texas.
But if you dig deeper, those numbers still paint a bleak picture. Compared to other states, Texas still has the second-highest death toll. And compared to past years in Texas, the number of pedestrian deaths in 2024 is still significantly higher.
For example, a decade earlier, there were 479 pedestrian deaths in Texas in 2014, according to pedestrian accident statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That’s a 60 percent increase in the number of pedestrian fatalities in Texas between 2014 and 2024.
How common are hit-and-runs in Texas?
According to a nationwide study by ValuePenguin, approximately 1 out of 14 car accident fatalities in Texas involves a hit-and-run accident.
Specifically, 6.9 percent of car accident deaths in Texas between 2012 and 2021 involved collisions in which the driver fled the scene of the accident, according to ValuePenguin. Based on those numbers, nearly 300 people each year die due to hit-and-run accidents in Texas.
Why do some drivers flee the scene of crash?
In Texas, leaving the scene of a fatal pedestrian accident is both illegal and harmful to the victim’s family. Yet some drivers still flee instead of stopping to offer help or call for assistance. So why do drivers do it? Some of the most common reasons why drivers leave the scene of a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in Texas include:
- Fear of criminal charges: Drivers may flee if they were speeding, distracted, or committing another traffic violation at the time the accident occurred.
- Driving under the influence: Many drivers who leave the scene of an accident are impaired by alcohol or drugs and drive away to avoid being arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
- Lack of a valid license: Drivers without a driver’s license may fear financial liability and criminal penalties.
- No insurance: In Texas, drivers are required by law to have insurance. As a result, uninsured drivers often flee the scene of hit-and-run pedestrian accidents.
- Outstanding warrants or prior convictions: Someone with an existing criminal record may flee to avoid being sent back to jail or facing harsher sentencing.
- Panic and shock: Some drivers make irrational decisions in the heat of the moment, especially if they don’t understand the severity of the law.
When drivers flee, they deny the victim immediate medical help and leave families without answers. In fatal pedestrian accidents, this can also delay investigations, making it more difficult to identify and hold the at-fault driver accountable. Families deserve to know the truth. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can help ensure the case moves forward, even if the driver is not immediately identified.
Navigating a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run
Losing a loved one in a pedestrian hit-and-run can be devastating, confusing, and overwhelming. Fortunately, Texas law provides several avenues for families to pursue accountability. Even if the at-fault driver isn’t identified right away, there are steps you can take to protect your rights.
- Filing a wrongful death lawsuit: Surviving family members may be able to seek damages (legal term for financial compensation) for lost income, emotional suffering, and funeral costs.
- Survivor’s claim: This allows the estate to recover for the pain and suffering the victim experienced before death.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: If the victim had this type of insurance, it may cover losses when the at-fault driver is unknown or uninsured.
- Crime victim compensation programs: Texas offers financial assistance to families of victims in certain criminal cases, including hit-and-run deaths.
- Civil claims against other responsible parties: In some cases, a third party, such as a bar that overserved an intoxicated driver, can be held liable (legally responsible).
Pursuing these legal avenues can help pay for the accident-related expenses often associated with many fatal pedestrian accidents. Even in cases where the driver remains unidentified, there are often many different ways to seek compensation. A Texas wrongful death lawyer can help you explore all available legal avenues and demand the compensation your family deserves.
How a pedestrian accident lawyer can help
Fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accidents in Texas often quickly turn into complex legal cases. This is why it’s crucial that your family has an experienced and knowledgeable legal team on your side. Otherwise, you could miss out on opportunities for obtaining compensation you rightfully deserve.
Our Wichita Falls, Texas, hit-and-run pedestrian accident lawyers at Hoover Rogers, LLP can help you every step of the way. We know exactly what to do in these cases because we have been fighting for the rights of injury victims in Texas and Oklahoma for years. As a result, we understand how the legal system operates in both states and which legal strategies are most effective.
Contact us and schedule a free consultation with a Wichita Falls, Texas pedestrian accident attorney who puts your best interests first. We handle personal injury claims in Texas and Oklahoma on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Don't wait - give us a call or contact us online to learn more about how we can help you.
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