Harlingen Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

What to Do After a Harlingen Pedestrian Accident

If you are involved in a car accident in Harlingen, Texas—whether as a pedestrian or a driver—there are important steps you should take to protect yourself legally and financially:

1. Take photos

Once the scene is safe and you are not critically injured, take as many photos as possible. Document your injuries, vehicle or property damage, the accident location, traffic signals, and driver and insurance information. If someone is with you, ask them to help. This evidence can be critical to a future claim.

2. Call the Harlingen Police Department

Contact the Harlingen Police Department immediately so officers can respond, create an official accident report, and gather information from everyone involved. If your phone is damaged or you cannot take photos, witnesses may be able to assist. Your Harlingen accident lawyer can later obtain a copy of the police report to support your case.
If you are seriously injured, request emergency medical services—officers will ensure EMTs and an ambulance are dispatched if needed.

3. Get medical attention

All treatment provided by EMTs or hospital staff should be documented in medical records. Be sure to note which ambulance crew responded. If you are not treated at the scene, seek care as soon as possible at a nearby facility such as Valley Baptist Medical Center–Harlingen or Harlingen Medical Center.

Even if you feel fine, some injuries take time to appear, so follow all medical advice and attend follow-up appointments.

4. Contact an attorney

Speaking with an experienced Harlingen pedestrian or car accident lawyer as soon as possible can make a significant difference. An attorney can help preserve evidence, guide your medical care, handle insurance companies, and protect your rights from the start.

Our Harlingen Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help You

Even if your injuries don’t seem serious at first—or you believe you can handle the claims process on your own—there are significant advantages to working with an experienced Harlingen pedestrian accident lawyer.

Working With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often try to minimize or deny claims, and this can be especially challenging to handle alone. Our attorneys understand how insurers operate in Harlingen and throughout Cameron County, including what evidence is required, which deadlines apply, and how to respond when a fair settlement is refused. If necessary, we are prepared to file a lawsuit to protect your rights.

Proving Liability in Harlingen Pedestrian Accidents

Establishing fault is essential in pedestrian accident cases. Negligence can include distracted driving, speeding, or failure to obey traffic signals. Because Texas is a fault-based state, liability is assigned by percentage. For example, a driver who strikes a pedestrian lawfully using a crosswalk may be fully at fault, while shared fault could reduce compensation if the pedestrian ignored traffic signals.

Attorneys have access to critical resources that can help prove liability, including police reports, traffic or surveillance footage, and phone records—evidence that is often difficult for victims to obtain on their own.

Determining Compensation

A Harlingen pedestrian accident attorney will evaluate the full impact of your injuries before submitting a claim. Compensation depends not only on the severity of your injuries but also on how they affect your ability to work and live your daily life.

Negotiations and Lawsuits

Most Harlingen pedestrian accident cases are resolved through settlement negotiations. However, if insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation, your attorney can file a lawsuit and take your case to court—ensuring someone is fighting for compensation that truly reflects your losses and suffering.