Why Houston Is One of the Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians
Roads designed for speed, long commutes that lead to driver fatigue, and a large population make Houston one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians. Traffic-related pedestrian injuries and deaths have been a persistent problem in Houston. Understanding the factors behind the increasing pedestrian accidents helps mitigate the risks and hold the responsible parties accountable when they cause preventable injuries and fatalities.
If you or a loved one was a victim of a vehicle-pedestrian accident in Houston, call Denise Bradshaw at 775-738-7444 for a free consultation about your case.
Table of Contents
Factors That Make Houston Risky for Pedestrians
There were a record 345 traffic fatalities in Houston in 2024. A significant portion, 119, were pedestrians, further cementing Houston’s position among the most dangerous cities for pedestrians. Pedestrian accidents, injuries, and deaths have been increasing in Houston in recent years. Factors that create a higher risk of pedestrians in Houston being injured or killed in accidents include:
Lack of Adequate Pedestrian Infrastructure
Houston roadways were built primarily to move people fast. The priority was speed, not protecting pedestrians. More than 50% of the pedestrian deaths in 2024 occurred on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or greater. Many areas in Houston don’t have proper crosswalks or sidewalks.
Only 57% of the city’s streets have at least one sidewalk. About 39% of the sidewalks are rated subpar. Even the good ones lack critical pedestrian facilities, such as enough curb ramps and safe crosswalks. Some existing sidewalks are too far apart, and lanes are too wide, posing safety risks to those wishing to cross on foot.
Large Population
The large population of Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio areas makes them dangerous Texas cities for pedestrians. Houston’s population, now over 2.3 million, increased by 43,217 from July 2023 to July 2024. The city’s metro population is over 7 million. The ever-growing population means there are more people driving and walking in spaces that weren’t designed to accommodate that much traffic. Congested and overcrowded roads increase the risk of auto-pedestrian accidents.
Long Commutes
Houston is ranked fourth in the Forbes list of cities with the toughest commutes, thanks to factors like its traffic gridlocks and relatively low walkability score. One study found that in 2019, Houston drivers spent 119 hours of extra travel time driving in rush hour traffic.
Houston residents spending time traveling to and from work and navigating challenging traffic situations increase the possibility of fatigued driving, reduced focus, distracted driving, and overall deterioration of driving performance. All these increase the risk of pedestrian auto accidents. Distractions don’t affect drivers alone, as preoccupied pedestrians also choose to cross streets while using their phones. Distracted walking contributes to pedestrian injuries and deaths.
Houston’s Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections for Pedestrians
While pedestrian accidents in Houston can happen anywhere, some roads and intersections are more dangerous than others. City of Houston data shows that 60% of serious injuries and traffic deaths occur on 6% of roads. These streets and intersections have various factors that impact pedestrian fatality risk.
The most dangerous roads and highways in Houston include Bellaire Boulevard, Westheimer Road, Bissonnet Street, I-45 Corridor, 610 Loop, I-10, FM 1960, and Tomball Parkway. Some of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians include the intersection of Pease and Fannin Street, Westpark Drive at South Gessner Road, and Main Street and Montrose Boulevard.
How Texas Law Handles Pedestrian Accident Liability
If another party’s actions caused your pedestrian accident in Texas, they can be held financially liable for the resulting damages. Proving liability requires establishing negligence. You can prove negligence by demonstrating the following elements:
- Duty: The responsible party owed you a duty of care
- Breach: The party breached that duty
- Causation: The party’s breach of duty caused your injuries
- Damages: You suffered damages due to the party’s breach of duty
Even after proving the other party’s negligence in causing your injuries, you can be found to be partially responsible for the accident and injuries. You can still recover compensation as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault because Texas follows modified comparative negligence laws. Your damages will be reduced proportionally to your level of fault. Therefore, if you share 20% of the blame for the pedestrian accident, your claim will be reduced by 20%.
When to Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Houston
Anyone who’s been injured at a dangerous intersection or on a dangerous road in Houston has a right to consult a car accident lawyer for immediate assistance. Without legal representation, the at-fault party’s insurance company often attempts to shift blame, denies claims, downplays injuries, or offers a lowball settlement that’s far less than the total value of your damages.
Therefore, if you sustained injuries or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to work with a pedestrian accident lawyer. Taking action quickly gives you the best chance of recovering fair compensation. The sooner you contact a Houston pedestrian accident lawyer after your accident, the stronger the case your lawyer will help you build before evidence and witness memories fade.
When a pedestrian accident attorney takes charge of your case, he or she will handle every aspect, including investigations into the accident, evidence collection, proving the elements required to establish negligence, legal filings, communications with insurance companies, and settlement negotiations to obtain the maximum compensation possible. Your attorney may even evaluate video footage and cell phone records to uncover what happened and whether there are smartphones responsible for driver distraction, leading to the accident. Your attorney may also enlist experts to reconstruct the accident and prove facts crucial to your case.
Denise Bradshaw’s skilled, determined, and dedicated approach to protecting the best interests of accident victims has seen her win awards and professional acclaim, including Super Lawyers’ Rising Star, Reader’s Choice Gold Award for Best Law Office, and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Contact Denise today for a free consultation about your Houston pedestrian accident.
