Austin Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Last updated on July 20, 2026
Motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians can immediately turn into chaotic and catastrophic situations. With so much on the line, thinking clearly and taking the correct steps can be quite the challenge without a legal professional’s assistance. Attempting to navigate this strenuous time without any guidance can be a financially costly and time-consuming mistake.
I am attorney Matthew Shrum. Since founding The Law Office of Matthew Shrum, PLLC, in 2006, I have maintained a commitment to provide determined advocacy to people in Austin and Travis, Williamson, Hays and Bastrop counties. When injured people need a legal ally who refuses to quit, they do not have to look any further. I have a track record they can trust.
After a pedestrian accident, I will be there to offer tenacious support and legal insight. I will gather the evidence and handle the legal proceedings. I will build a strong case that is structured to secure the maximum amount of allowable compensation.
For Spanish-speaking residents injured while walking or crossing the street, please see our dedicated page on Accidentes de peatones.
What Are The Most Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents In Austin?
According to Texas right-of-way laws, motorists must stop at all crosswalks, marked or unmarked and yield to all pedestrians when they are approaching or on the same half of the road. Unfortunately, it is far too common that drivers will ignore this requirement and inadvertently collide with an innocent pedestrian. In instances like this, the most common causes of pedestrian injuries are:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Failure to yield
- Speeding
- Poor infrastructure
While motorists are by far the most likely to be at fault, pedestrians can potentially play a role in causing their own injuries. For example, pedestrians may jaywalk or ignore traffic signals, which could result in a severe accident.
How To Make A Claim As A Pedestrian
Injured pedestrians who have fallen victim to a negligent driver must take prompt action to ensure they protect their rights and obtain accountability. First, pedestrians should find medical treatment as soon as possible. This will help them document their injuries and provide evidence that the crash was the direct cause. Calling 911 to report the situation is also vital, as this will officially document the injury.
Obtaining evidence from the scene is the next step pedestrians need to take, if that evidence is likely to disappear. This includes taking photos, speaking with witnesses, swapping information with the driver and making note of any other pertinent information. Pedestrians should be wary of making any statements to the driver’s insurance provider, as doing so could negatively affect their claim going forward.
Throughout this whole process, contacting and communicating with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer like me can ease the burden placed on the injured and help them obtain the compensation owed to them.
What Can A Driver Be Charged With If They Hit A Pedestrian?
Texas drivers who hit a pedestrian can face a host of criminal charges. Starting from the minor penalties, drivers could receive a traffic citation for failing to yield or for ignoring traffic signals. Motorists may also face aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges if they were recklessly operating their vehicle at the time of the accident.
If the accident resulted in a fatality, the driver could potentially be charged with criminally negligent homicide. Moreover, if drugs or alcohol were involved, intoxication, assault or manslaughter charges may apply. Finally, if the driver decides to leave the scene of the collision, they may face hit-and-run charges.
As far as your injury case, it does not matter what the driver who struck you gets charged with – or even if they get criminally charged at all. What I need to prove to a court is not that the driver was guilty of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt, but that they hit and injured you. Whereas a criminal prosecutor has to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, I have to prove that it is more likely than not that your claims are true.
Accident victims often have little say in whether the driver who hit them are charged criminally. That is one reason why it is so important to hold the driver responsible financially through a civil lawsuit.
What Happens If A Driver Hits A Pedestrian But There’s No Serious Injury?
Similar to other forms of motor vehicle accidents, drivers in Texas must pull over and report the incident if any injuries or damages occurred. Even if no severe pedestrian injuries transpired, this obligation for drivers does not disappear. If the driver who struck you did not stop, they could be charged with hit and run. Additionally, drivers are responsible for more than physical injuries. If property damage took place, for example, if the pedestrian broke their phone during the incident, the responsibility for covering the harm falls upon the driver.
Providing Honest And Trusted Guidance To Injured Texans
Swift action is often required to hold irresponsible drivers accountable for their behavior and to obtain appropriate compensation.
With my guidance, Texas injury victims can feel supported and confident that their rights are being protected. I am also proud to offer free initial consultations to clients engaged in personal injury cases. To learn more about scheduling a free consultation or how I can advocate for victims, please contact my firm at 512-994-0313 or fill out my contact form.