‍Published by Brooker Law, PLLC — Dallas, Texas | Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Last Updated: November 14, 2025

TL;DR

When a pedestrian is hit in Dallas, the strongest cases are built on objective evidence, such as video, a vehicle’s Event Data Recorder (also known as its “black box”), and physical evidence on-the-ground at the scene. Brooker Law, a Dallas-based wrongful‐death and catastrophic injury firm, explains what each type of evidence shows and proves, how to secure it quickly, and why negligent drivers are held fully accountable when the evidence is clear. Contact Brooker Law for a free, confidential consultation.

Why Evidence Matters More Than Ever

In a pedestrian crash, facts matter. When a driver claims “I never saw them” or “the light was green,” it becomes a battle of competing narratives. Without solid evidence, you face a “he-said, she-said” fight and other insurance strategies designed to minimize liability and undermine your damages. But with the right evidence -- video, EDR, and scene forensics -- you can use indisputable truths to undermine the insurance company's narrative. Jurors are much more likely to be persuaded by evidence than testimony; it's a classic example of "show, don't tell."

What Evidence Wins Pedestrian Cases in Dallas

1. Video Footage

Surveillance cameras (from businesses, apartment complexes, intersections, etc.) and dashboard cameras often capture the moments before, during, and after a crash. In many pedestrian collisions in Dallas, video footage can show a delay in braking, driver distraction, failures to yield, or whether the pedestrian was in the crosswalk. That video evidence becomes a central piece of liability proof. Jurors would often rather review and interpret a video for themselves, rather than weigh credibility among different eyewitness accounts.

2. Event Data Recorder (EDR)

Modern vehicles are equipped with an EDR (sometimes called a “black box”), which records key data moments before and during a crash. EDRs may document vehicle speed, brake application, accelerator application, steering input, and seat belt usage. In Dallas pedestrian cases, EDR data often provides missing pieces, such as how fast the car was traveling, whether the driver braked, or whether they tried to swerve. EDR data is often seen as an unbiased "digital witness.”

3. Scene Forensics and Physical Evidence

Skid marks, paint transfer, debris, vehicle damage, witness statements, and lighting conditions all matter. A well-documented scene showing driver braking late (or not at all), leaving debris in the crosswalk, or the car’s path after impact strengthens your case. For Dallas pedestrian crashes, time is of the essence though. Video footage may be erased or overwritten, vehicles moved, and witnesses gone within days.

How Brooker Law Uses These Tools in Dallas

When we accept a pedestrian case, our team moves quickly:

  • We issue evidence preservation letters to businesses and transit authorities to secure surveillance video and avoid deletion.
  • We coordinate with crash reconstruction experts to download EDRs and retrieve data from the at-fault driver’s vehicle. The EDR may record speed, accelerator, brake data, and events just seconds before impact.
  • We send investigators to the scene immediately to measure skid marks, photograph vehicle positions, note lighting and signage, and contact witnesses.
  • We present all this to insurance companies and, if needed, a jury. Evidence allows us to tell a complete and compelling story: “Here’s what the driver did. The video and data confirm that. Here’s what our client's family lost.”

When a driver’s own EDR shows they failed to brake or were speeding, their defensive arguments collapse. When the evidence speaks for itself, jurors usually hear it loud and clear.

But the Driver Said They Slowed Down—What Now?

If the driver claims they tried to stop, you need evidence. EDR will show whether the brakes were applied and when. Video may show motion blur or lack of reaction. Scene forensics will show stopping distance consistent with higher speed. In Dallas, this combination shifts the story from “just an accident” to avoidable negligence.

What Victims and Families Must Do Immediately

  1. Call 911 and ask for police, medics, and request a full crash report.
  2. Preserve any video and witnesses. Note nearby cameras, business surveillance cameras, door-bell cameras, and transit stop cams. Act quickly before the video is deleted or overwritten.
  3. Don’t move the vehicle (if safe to stay) or disturb critical evidence like paint transfer or debris until you can photograph the scene.
  4. Seek medical care and document all injuries, treatments, and costs.
  5. Contact a Dallas pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. Evidence disappears fast. EDR data may be overwritten, business cameras erased, and vehicles repaired.

FAQ: Key Evidence in Dallas Pedestrian Cases

Can I get the driver’s EDR data?
Yes, with proper legal process and early action. EDR data is increasingly admitted in court as objective proof of driver behavior. Usually, defendants cooperate and allow inspections of their vehicle and a download of its EDR. If necessary, a court will compel an inspection and EDR download through judicial process.

What if there’s no video?
While video is powerful, EDR plus scene forensics and expert witness testimony from an accident reconstructionist can still build a strong liability case.

How fast must I act to preserve video or EDR data?
Immediately. Videos may be overwritten in days. Vehicles may be repaired within a couple of weeks. The window is short despite the defendant and his or her insurer's legal duty to preserve evidence.

Does this matter in Dallas pedestrian cases?
Absolutely. When you’re struck as a pedestrian in Dallas, you do not want to be in a "he-said, she-said" battle of competing narratives. The stronger your digital and forensic evidence is the better your chances for a full recovery are.

Contact Brooker Law

Brooker Law, PLLC represents victims and families in Dallas pedestrian accidents, crosswalk collisions, and wrongful death cases throughout Texas. Our firm’s mission is to make Dallas streets safer by holding negligent drivers and companies accountable and by building cases with solid evidence that gets results. Contact Brooker Law today for a free, confidential consultation.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. For advice about your specific situation, contact Brooker Law, PLLC.