No one expects to get hit by a car while walking. We learn while very young to look both ways and to cross the street with the lights. But highways in Corpus Christi have grown wider and intersections busier.
Half of the fatal traffic accidents that occurred in Corpus Christi in 2018 involved a person trying to cross a roadway or intersection on foot, according to Corpus Christi Police Department data published by the Caller Times.
Across Texas, 621 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2018, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) says.
The problem of pedestrian accidents continues, with a 36-year-old pedestrian left in critical condition in May 2019, a man in his 30s struck and killed by an intoxicated driver in November, and a 60-year-old man found dead on the side of the road after a hit-and-run on January 15, 2020, to cite a few incidents.
At Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our compassionate Corpus Christi injury attorneys help pedestrians who have been hurt in automobile accidents and the families of pedestrians who have been killed. We have seen the trauma that negligent drivers cause the people they hit and the grieving families of those killed.
As experienced Corpus Christi personal injury lawyers, we help victims of pedestrian accidents hold negligent drivers accountable and pursue compensation for their losses.
What Are the Most Dangerous Corpus Christi Roads for Pedestrians?
The Caller Times used Corpus Christi Police Department data to identify the Corpus Christi roads that were the scenes of the most pedestrian crashes in 2016-2018. The newspaper said more people were hit by cars on South Padre Island Drive than any other road in Corpus Christi during those three years.
Police reports indicate that 26 pedestrians were hit by motor vehicles on South Padre Island Drive, the access road to TX Highway 358. Two pedestrians were killed.
Other dangerous roads in Corpus Christi listed in the report were:
- TX Highway 358. 15 pedestrian crashes with 5 deaths
- Ayers Street. 24 pedestrian crashes with 2 deaths
- Staples Street. 24 pedestrian crashes with 2 deaths
- Leopard Street. 21 pedestrian crashes with 2 deaths.
Corpus Christi Police Capt. Russell Sherman said pedestrians are least likely to survive being hit by a motor vehicle on a high-speed roadway. Speed limits on TX 358 reach up to 65 mph, for example. Sherman said people on foot should never try to cross a freeway because it is hard to judge the speed of a vehicle travelling at high speed.
In one of the fatal pedestrian collisions in 2018, the person was using a crosswalk. The others were attempting to cross the road without using a crosswalk.
Texas Law and Pedestrians
Corpus Christi does not have a local ordinance barring jaywalking; city ordinance §53-15 addresses how motorists should pass pedestrians and bicyclists using local roads.
Texas law requires vehicles to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Pedestrians are to obey “walk,” “don’t walk” and “wait” signals if present or cross only when there is a green traffic signal for their direction if at a controlled intersection.
The law says, “A pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle on the highway if crossing a roadway at a place other than in a marked crosswalk or in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”
The law also says a pedestrian may not suddenly enter a crosswalk when a vehicle is approaching and is so close that it is impossible for the vehicle operator to yield.
However, the law also admonishes drivers to:
- Exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian on a roadway
- Give warning by sounding the horn when necessary
- Exercise proper precaution upon observing a child or an obviously confused or incapacitated person on a roadway.
In the end, it is up to everyone on the road to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents in Corpus Christi and throughout Texas.
Tips for Pedestrian Safety To Avoid Being Hit by a Car
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers 10 tips for staying safe along and while crossing roads and highways:
- Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
- Walk on sidewalks when they are available.
- If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
- Keep alert at all times. Don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
- Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
- If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
- Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure they see you.
- Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials or carry a flashlight at night.
- Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots. Assume that they do not see you.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
Contact a Corpus Christi Pedestrian Accident Law Firm
If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident in Corpus Christi or anywhere in South Texas, you should seek the help of an experienced pedestrian injury lawyer. A pedestrian accident that is not fatal can result in a lengthy recovery during which the individual is unable to work while medical bills and other expenses continue to mount.
A pedestrian accident lawyer at Herrman & Herrman can provide a free, no-obligation review of the facts of your case and explain your legal rights. If you have a valid pedestrian accident claim, we can seek full compensation for your injuries and other losses. We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency basis, so you do not have any upfront costs. Contact us now for aggressive legal representation.
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