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

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

Too Long; Didn't Read

Dallas, Texas remains one of the most dangerous large U.S. cities for pedestrians. Brooker Law, a Dallas-based wrongful death and catastrophic injury firm, explains why serious and fatal pedestrian crashes persist, how negligent drivers and speeding contribute, and what families can do after a collision. This article also outlines your rights under Texas law if you or a loved one is hit while walking. Contact Brooker Law for a free, confidential consultation.

The Crisis on Dallas Streets

Dallas has a traffic safety crisis that too few people are talking about. Despite years of public discussion, major safety campaigns, and the city’s Vision Zero Action Plan, Dallas continues to record one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates among major U.S. cities.

Between 2015 and 2019 alone, the city experienced nearly 900 traffic deaths and over 4,400 severe injuries, according to city data. Two-thirds of those crashes happened on just seven percent of Dallas streets — many of them wide, fast roadways such as Loop 12, East Ledbetter Drive, and Buckner Boulevard.

Pedestrian crashes are especially devastating. While only about two percent of Dallas residents walk to work, pedestrians account for roughly 30 percent of all traffic deaths. So far, in 2025, Dallas has seen 424 pedestrian crashes resulting in 108 severe injuries and 38 fatalities. For each fatality, more than 11 other victims suffer life-altering and catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, complex fractures, or amputations. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a story cut short or forever altered by negligence.

(Source: Vision Zero Crash Data Dashboard)

Why Do So Many Pedestrian Crashes Happen in Dallas?

Dallas’s urban environment was designed primarily for cars. Decades of wide, high-speed roadways, minimal sidewalks, and limited mid-block crosswalks make walking dangerous in many neighborhoods. More than half of severe crashes occur on large well-known roadways, where traffic routinely exceeds posted speed limits.

Speed is one of the deadliest variables. A pedestrian struck at 20 miles per hour usually survives. At 40 mph, the odds of death jump above 80 percent. Speeding — whether “just a little” over the limit or outright reckless driving — remains a major factor in more than a quarter of Dallas’s severe injury crashes.

(Source: Vision Zero Action Plan 2022, p. 12)

The following negligent driving behaviors also compound the risks:

  • Failure to yield at intersections or during left turns;
  • Running red lights, especially on multi-lane corridors;
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and
  • Distracted driving, including texting behind the wheel.

Many of these same factors appear in wrongful death and catastrophic injury lawsuits that Brooker Law handles for victims’ families.

(Source: Vision Zero Action Plan 2022, p. 7)

The Legal Reality: Pedestrian Rights Under Texas Law

Pedestrians have clear rights under Chapter 552 of the Texas Transportation Code. Drivers must yield to people lawfully in crosswalks, obey speed limits, and maintain control of their vehicles at all times. Yet when a crash occurs, insurers often attempt to shift blame to the pedestrian — claiming they were jaywalking, wearing dark clothing, should have seen the car coming, or had the last best chance to avoid the collision.

That’s why early evidence preservation is critical. Photos of the scene, skid marks, debris fields, and witness statements help establish what really happened. Security video from neighboring homes or businesses or dash cam footage from a company vehicle often becomes decisive.

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule: even if a pedestrian was partially at fault, they can still recover damages as long as they were less than 51 percent responsible for the crash. An experienced Dallas pedestrian accident lawyer can interpret police reports, challenge unfair fault assignments, and build a compelling narrative that puts accountability where it belongs — on negligent drivers and company vehicles.

The Human Cost of Negligence

The legal data only tells part of the story. Each pedestrian crash ripples through entire families and communities. We’ve represented parents who lost children walking to school, workers struck in crosswalks on their morning commute, and retirees hit while exercising near their homes.

These losses are profound and permanent. No lawsuit can replace a life, but a wrongful death lawsuit can hold negligent drivers — and sometimes companies — financially accountable. It also forces change. Many Dallas safety improvements from improved lighting to new crosswalks began only after families demanded answers in the aftermath of tragedy.

How Brooker Law Helps

Brooker Law, PLLC is a Dallas-based trial firm focused on catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation. We take on pedestrian crash claims involving negligent or reckless drivers and company vehicles.

Our approach is comprehensive:

  • Rapid Investigation: We coordinate with accident reconstruction experts and subpoena video evidence before it’s lost.
  • MedicaI and Economic Analysis: We quantify the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, or loss of earning capacity.
  • Trial Readiness: We prepare every case as if it will go before a jury — because real accountability often requires courtroom pressure.

Our mission is to make Dallas streets safer by holding drivers and companies responsible when their negligence endangers lives.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

Until citywide infrastructure changes catch up, pedestrians can take the following small steps to reduce risks:

  1. Stay visible at night by using reflective gear or a light;
  2. Use marked crossings whenever possible, even if it adds time;
  3. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing;
  4. Avoid distractions like headphones in high-traffic areas; and
  5. Report dangerous intersections to your city council member.

But remember: safety shouldn’t depend on individual vigilance alone. Dallas must continue improving its streets so that walking is not a daily gamble.

(Source: Vision Zero Action Plan 2022, p. 8)

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FAQ: Dallas Pedestrian Accidents

What should I do if I’m hit by a car while walking in Dallas?

‍Get medical help immediately, call 911, and document everything. Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer quickly to protect your rights.

Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault?

‍Yes. Under Texas comparative negligence law, you can still recover compensation if you were less than 51% responsible for the crash.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian injury claim?

‍Generally, two years from the date of the crash, though shorter deadlines may apply in cases involving government vehicles or dangerous roadway claims.

Why contact Brooker Law after a pedestrian accident?

‍Brooker Law focuses on wrongful death and catastrophic injury litigation. We represent Dallas families in pedestrian, crosswalk, and company-vehicle crash cases across Texas.

Injured? Find Help Here.

Brooker Law, PLLC represents victims and families in Dallas pedestrian accident, crosswalk collision, and wrongful death cases throughout Texas. Our firm’s mission is to make Dallas streets safer by holding negligent drivers and companies accountable. 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.