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Successful Cases
Pickup Truck Accident
Despite a complex liability dispute, I secured the maximum policy limits for a client who suffered a traumatic injury after being thrown from the back of a pickup truck.
Pickup Truck Accident
Despite a complex liability dispute, I secured the maximum policy limits for a client who suffered a traumatic injury after being thrown from the back of a pickup truck.
Wrongful Insurance Coverage Denial
I won against an insurance company that tried to wrongfully deny coverage by falsifying documents, getting my client's policy reinstated and her claim paid in full.
Wrongful Insurance Coverage Denial
I won against an insurance company that tried to wrongfully deny coverage by falsifying documents, getting my client's policy reinstated and her claim paid in full.
Collision Case
I overturned a liability denial on a case other lawyers rejected, securing the full policy limits for a client severely injured in a major collision.
Collision Case
I overturned a liability denial on a case other lawyers rejected, securing the full policy limits for a client severely injured in a major collision.
Overcoming Disputed Liability
Despite initial doubts everyone had about whether the case could be won, I fought hard for my client and won a favorable outcome that ultimately exceeded the client's expectations.
Overcoming Disputed Liability
Despite initial doubts everyone had about whether the case could be won, I fought hard for my client and won a favorable outcome that ultimately exceeded the client's expectations.
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Applewhite
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Your Fierce Advocate After a Pedestrian Accident
I'm Ashley Applewhite, and I represent people injured by negligent drivers throughout Austin. With over 18 years of experience in Texas courtrooms, I've handled hundreds of personal injury cases from both sides.
My career path has been unique. I spent a large part of my career representing insurance companies, learning their strategies for minimizing payouts in pedestrian accident cases. Now I use that knowledge to help injury victims.
When you work with me, you're getting an experienced Austin pedestrian accident attorney who knows exactly what insurers are thinking — and how to counter it.
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Austin?
Texas roads pose real dangers — pedestrians account for 1 in 6 traffic fatalities statewide. Any Austinite who walks the city’s streets has experienced these risks firsthand. Our downtown corridors, campuses, and residential neighborhoods all see their share of preventable tragedies when drivers fail to watch for people on foot.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Happen
Through years of litigating car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents involving pedestrians, we see clear patterns emerge in driver behavior:
- Distracted driving: Phones, GPS devices, and infotainment systems steal a driver’s attention away from the road.
- Intersection failures: Drivers often turn without checking for pedestrians.
- Excessive speed: Residential streets become dangerous when drivers rush.
- Poor visibility: At dawn and dusk, accidents spike when drivers don't adjust to low-light conditions.
- Parking lot dangers: Careless drivers miss people standing or walking behind their cars while backing up.
- Impaired judgment: Alcohol or drug use destroys reaction times.
Many drivers don’t realize the grave danger of these behaviors until it’s too late. On average, 112 pedestrians are killed or seriously injured in Austin every year.
Common Pedestrian Injuries We Work With
When vehicles strike pedestrians, physics wins. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries: From mild concussions to permanent cognitive damage.
- Spinal damage: Resulting in partial or total loss of function.
- Broken bones: Fractures requiring multiple surgeries.
- Internal injuries: Hidden, life-threatening damage to organs.
- Psychological trauma: PTSD and anxiety lasting years.
- Severe scarring: Disfigurement affecting confidence and daily life.
Insurance companies want quick, cheap settlements before you realize your injuries' full impact. We can’t let that happen. At Applewhite Law Firm, we pursue full compensation for all of your losses, including their effect on your quality of life.
What to Do After Your Pedestrian Accident in Austin, TX
Take these steps immediately:
- Get medical attention: Adrenaline hides serious injuries, so get examined even if you feel fine.
- Document everything: Photos of the scene, your injuries, and the car become crucial evidence.
- Collect witness information: Get names and numbers before people leave — their statements matter.
- File a police report: Insist that officers document all details accurately.
- Preserve evidence: Keep damaged items and bloody clothes — don't clean or repair anything.
- Avoid insurance statements: Politely decline making recorded statements until you have representation.
- Call an auto accident attorney: Quick action preserves evidence and protects your rights.
Once you contact us, we’ll take it from there.
Protect Your Rights
Insurance companies are already protecting their own interests. Protect yours — schedule a free consultation now!
Filing Your Pedestrian Accident Claim
Filing a pedestrian accident claim involves more than just paperwork. It's about building a compelling case to force insurance companies to pay what they actually owe. As your attorney, I know success depends on timing, evidence, and recognizing when settlement offers fall short.
Filing Deadlines
Texas law outlines a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This deadline is strict. Missing it eliminates your right to pursue compensation.
Building Your Case
Strong cases need solid evidence. This means photographing the accident scene, preserving physical evidence, getting witness statements while memories are fresh, and obtaining any available surveillance footage.
When necessary, I work with accident reconstruction specialists and traffic engineers to analyze how the crash happened. Documentation of your injuries, treatment, and impact on daily life all factor into case value.
Insurance Tactics
An insurance adjuster might contact you soon after the pedestrian accident, offering a settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries or understand your case value. They're trained negotiators working to minimize payouts.
Financial pressure from medical bills and missed work can make these early offers tempting. But accepting too soon will leave you without recourse if your physical recovery doesn’t go as planned.
Damages Available in Pedestrian Accident Cases in Texas
Financial recovery should address everything this accident stole from you:
- Medical expenses spiral quickly: Emergency treatment, surgeries, therapy sessions, medications, and equipment add up fast.
- Income disappears during recovery: Missing work for treatment and healing creates financial stress.
- Future losses mount: Reduced earning capacity and ongoing medical needs transform your financial situation for years or decades.
- Physical suffering demands recognition: Chronic pain and temporary agony both deserve compensation.
- Mental anguish is real: Trauma, fear, and lifestyle changes cause genuine suffering.
- Life changes permanently: Hobbies are abandoned, relationships strained, and independence lost.
- Death brings unique losses: Families deserve support for funeral costs, lost companionship, and financial security.
I’ve seen too many clients underestimate the true costs of their injuries. My mission is to win you a settlement or jury award that eases your recovery, even if it can’t erase the impact of the accident.
Who Pays After a Pedestrian Accident in Austin?
Responsibility may extend beyond the driver who hit you:
- Individual motorists: Bear primary responsibility for their negligent actions.
- Employers: Answer for employee drivers conducting business when accidents occur.
- Rideshare platforms: Face liability when Uber or Lyft drivers injure pedestrians.
- Municipalities: Must maintain safe crosswalks and functioning traffic signals.
- Businesses: Create liability through dangerous parking lots or obstructed sidewalks.
- Alcohol vendors: Share blame for overserving customers who later drive.
- Auto manufacturers: Face claims when vehicle defects contribute to accidents.
The best way to uncover a responsible third party is to carry out a sharp and thorough investigation into the causes of the accident.
Why Choose Applewhite Law Firm After a Pedestrian Accident in Austin?
Choosing the right attorney after a pedestrian accident makes all the difference in your recovery. Here's what sets my practice apart:
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Full availability: Accidents don't follow business hours, and neither do I. When you need answers or support, I'm just a phone call away.
No win, no fee: You pay nothing up front and owe nothing unless I secure compensation for your injuries. My success depends on yours.
Personal approach: You work directly with me, not a paralegal or case manager. I handle your case personally from start to finish.
Industry knowledge: In my years defending insurance companies, I learned their playbooks. Now, I use that insider perspective on your behalf.
While I’m a fierce negotiator and litigator, I also understand that my clients need to have their voices heard. My sense of justice and compassion is what led me to open my own law firm, where I work directly with injured people to help them recover what they’ve lost.
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Hit While Walking in Austin, TX? Let Me Help You.
Texas law sets strict deadlines for pedestrian accident claims. Don't lose your right to compensation. Schedule your free consultation now!
Your Story Matters
Every pedestrian accident is preventable. Every victim deserves justice. Share your experience in a free consultation, and I'll fight for your rights!
FAQs
Many clients come to me with similar concerns after their pedestrian accident. Here are answers to the questions I hear most often.
Can I get compensation if I'm partially at fault?
Yes. Texas allows recovery if you're less than 51% responsible for your injuries. If you're 30% at fault, for example, you'd receive 70% of your damages. I work to reduce any fault an insurer tries to assign to you.
What does a pedestrian accident lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. I work on contingency — I only get paid from successful settlements or verdicts. We'll discuss exact percentages during your free consultation.
How long do pedestrian accident cases take?
The timeline varies. Simple cases might settle within months; complex injuries or disputed liability cases take longer. I balance speed with getting full compensation.
