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Houston Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Joe is one of the few Texas lawyers that is double board certified.

“No Legal Fees Until Joe Wins Your Case”

Content Reviewed by: Joe Stephens

Last Updated: January 30, 2026

Houston is a driving city with busy corridors like Westheimer, the I-10 feeder, Galleria area crosswalks, and congested neighborhood streets. If you were hit while walking in Houston, you need a Houston pedestrian accident lawyer who moves quickly, clearly explains your best course of action, and gets results. Joe Stephens has over 40 years of experience helping injured pedestrians across Texas hold careless drivers and insurers accountable so they can focus on healing, not paperwork.

Joe and The Stephens Law Firm step in right away to protect your rights, document the crash, and pursue the compensation the law allows so victims can move forward with their recovery. With no legal fees unless Joe wins your case and over 40 years of experience serving fellow Texans, The Stephens Law Firm is here when you’re ready. Contact us online for your free case evaluation.

Joe Stephens is a dedicated Houston personal injury lawyer and one of only 10 attorneys across Texas to be double board-certified in personal injury and civil trial law. His reputation as an elite and knowledgeable attorney makes him well-respected in Texas’s legal community, including the several legal organizations he belongs to.

Joe has been named a Super Lawyer every year from 2008 to 2025. He has an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

When The Stephens Law Firm takes on your pedestrian accident claim, you can expect highly skilled legal representation because Joe Stephens will fight tirelessly to safeguard your financial interests so you can focus on your recovery.

The Stephens Law Firm has a history of winning large settlements for pedestrian accident and injury victims, some obtaining millions of dollars. With a proven track record of success, you can count on Joe Stephens to fiercely advocate for the damages you deserve.

What Our Houston Clients Are Saying

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Houston Pedestrian Accident?

Several parties can be responsible for a pedestrian crash, depending on how it happened. Joe and The Stephens Law Firm identify every accountable party and their insurance to maximize your recovery.

Parties who may be held liable in a pedestrian accident include:

  • Distracted drivers, drunk drivers, and speeders
  • Commercial drivers and employers, when the driver is on the job
  • Property owners with unsafe walkways, broken pavement, poor lighting, or debris
  • Government entities, when the accident involved governmental vehicles or government property
  • Manufacturers, when pedestrians are hurt by equipment or vehicle defects

More than one party can share fault in Texas. Joe follows proportionate responsibility rules to hold each at-fault party accountable and pursue full compensation.

What If I Was Partially at Fault for the Pedestrian Incident?

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule in personal injury claims. That means courts can reduce your settlement or verdict proportionately by the amount you’re responsible for the accident. If a court determines you’re more than 50 percent responsible for the accident, it bars you from any damage recovery.

For example, if you are hit by a car in a crosswalk and are 40 percent responsible, while the driver is 60 percent responsible, your award will be reduced by 40 percent due to the Texas rules on comparative fault.

Insurance companies frequently try to minimize payouts by arguing that the victim is partially responsible. That’s why hiring an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Houston is so important to maximize your chance at compensation. The Stephens Law Firm understands these insurance company tactics and knows how important it is to gather evidence to prove the driver’s negligence while minimizing your liability.

How Joe Stephens Handles Your Pedestrian Accident Claim

Joe Stephens takes a hands-on approach to every pedestrian accident case. As one of the few double board-certified attorneys in Texas with over 40 years of experience, Joe personally handles your claim from start to finish. Here is what you can expect when working with our firm:

  • Free consultation with Joe Stephens: Tell Joe what happened and what you need. He’ll explain your options and answer any questions, and there are no legal fees until Joe wins your case.
  • Investigation and evidence collection: Joe moves quickly to secure police reports, evidence, and uses experts when necessary to prove fault and connect the crash to your injuries.
  • Medical treatment and documentation: Your health comes first. Joe helps you organize medical records, bills, and notes to show pain, limits at work and home, and the care you’ll need to move forward.
  • Negotiating the best settlement: Joe sends a clear demand backed by proof of liability. He handles all insurer calls, rejects low offers, and looks for every policy and available coverage to maximize recovery.
  • If necessary, litigation and trial: If the insurer will not pay what is fair, Joe is prepared for trial from the start. He tries cases when needed to pursue fair results.
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Pedestrian accidents often cause serious injuries—and serious financial stress. Attorney Joe Stephens works hard to make sure you’re not left carrying the cost of someone else’s mistake.

What Insurance Covers a Pedestrian Accident in Texas?

Texas is an at-fault state. That means the driver who caused the crash is responsible for your losses. As your Houston pedestrian accident lawyer, Joe Stephens looks at every policy that could pay, so you are not left with bills you didn’t create. This includes:

  • Liability insurance – Drivers must carry coverage following Texas’s 30/60/25 minimum liability rule
  • UM/UIM insurance – Helps cover low limits and some hit-and-run cases
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and MedPay – Helps with medical bills and lost income regardless of fault
  • Commercial vehicle insurance – Rideshare, delivery, and commercial vehicles often carry higher limits

When insurance companies argue about fault or limits, a Texas pedestrian accident attorney who knows the playbook makes a difference. Joe and The Stephens Law Firm handle the paperwork, calls, and negotiations so you can focus on healing while we push for full and fair compensation.

What if the Driver Who Hit Me Doesn’t Have Insurance in Texas?

Texas requires all drivers to carry liability car insurance, although there are still some drivers who choose not to carry it. If you get hit by a car in a crosswalk and the driver is without insurance, you may be able to seek compensation through your underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage (UI/UIM). In addition to protecting you if the other driver is uninsured, UI/UIM insurance helps protect you if the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance coverage to compensate you for all of your damages. With underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage, your own insurance policy can reimburse you for medical costs, lost wages, and other losses. However, uninsured driver cases can be complicated, so speaking to a qualified attorney is essential.

In addition to filing a claim with your own insurance, you may also be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and any other responsible parties.

What Compensation Can You Expect After a Houston Pedestrian Accident?

If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian, Texas law allows you to seek recovery for the full scope of your losses. However, the statute of limitations is strict: you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Acting early is the best way to preserve evidence and build a compelling case.

Commonly Recoverable Damages Include:

  • Economic Damages: These cover your tangible financial losses, such as emergency room visits, ongoing physical therapy, lost wages, and the cost of future medical treatments.
  • Non-Economic Damages: These address the “human” costs of an accident, including physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
  • Punitive Damages: In rare instances involving extreme negligence or malice, the court may award additional funds to punish the at-fault party.

Because pedestrians are unprotected, accidents often result in life-altering injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal injuries. These pedestrian accident injuries can require long-term care and significantly impact your quality of life.

High-Risk Pedestrian Accident Areas in Houston

Pedestrian accidents happen throughout the Greater Houston area. Joe handles cases across Harris County and beyond, including crashes on these high-traffic corridors:

  • Westheimer Road – Heavy retail and restaurant traffic from the Galleria to Montrose
  • Bellaire Boulevard – Major thoroughfare through Sharpstown, Gulfton, and Chinatown
  • FM 1960 – Fast traffic and busy intersections in Spring and Humble
  • Main Street/Medical Center – High pedestrian volume near hospitals and transit stops
  • Bissonnet Street – Dense residential and commercial areas in Bellaire and West University Place
  • Gessner Road – Office complexes and retail centers in Westchase
  • Barker Cypress Road – Growing suburban traffic in Cypress
  • Fannin Street/Downtown – Complex intersections near office buildings and entertainment venues
  • I-10 feeder roads – Fast-moving traffic with limited pedestrian infrastructure
  • Telephone Road/South Houston – High pedestrian activity in residential and commercial areas

Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere, even in non-high traffic areas. Joe represents pedestrian accident victims in Houston, Katy, Cypress, Richmond, Spring, Bellaire, Medical Center, Downtown, and other communities throughout Texas.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Houston, TX

Pedestrian safety remains a serious concern in Texas. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in 2024:

  • 6,095 crashes involving pedestrians statewide
  • 773 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes
  • 1,454 pedestrians seriously injured
  • Pedestrians account for 19% of all roadway deaths, despite being involved in only 1% of crashes

The most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

  • Pedestrians failing to yield to vehicles
  • Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians
  • Driver inattention
  • Speeding

Houston Pedestrian Accident FAQs

What If the Driver Flees the Scene?

If the driver flees the scene, you can still pursue damages after a hit-and-run accident. Hit-and-run crashes also carry criminal penalties.

If your loved one was killed, surviving spouses, children, or parents may file a wrongful death claim. Compensation can include medical bills, funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

Vehicles must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, when pulling out of driveways or alleys, and when another driver has stopped for a pedestrian. Pedestrians must yield to vehicles when crossing outside a crosswalk, when traffic signals say not to cross, and when crossing between two signalized intersections.

  • Call 911 and seek immediate medical care.
  • Document the scene, take photos and videos, and collect information from anyone who witnessed the incident.
  • Make a report to the police and request a copy.
  • Contact Joe Stephens for a free consultation to protect your rights and preserve evidence.

Every case is different. The value depends on the severity of your injuries, total medical costs, lost wages, long-term impacts on your daily life, and pain and suffering. Contact Joe Stephens for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation.

Contact The Stephens Law Firm in Houston to See How We Can Help

If you were hurt as a pedestrian or cyclist in the Houston area, you don’t have to take on the insurance company alone. Joe Stephens brings over 40 years of experience to every case and fights for results while you focus on healing. Your consultation is free, and there are no legal fees until Joe wins your case.

Get your free case evaluation by contacting us online or calling (281) 201-0035.