Deaf Woman Killed In Houston Crash

Many people walk and jog on Houston’s roadways. However, when pedestrians are traveling along a road on foot, they can easily get hit by other vehicles. This was sadly the case in Houston, when a recent pedestrian accident left a woman dead.

The fatal crash occurred on the morning of September 24 on Shreveport Boulevard. The victim was a 58-year-old deaf woman identified as Brenda Ball.

The driver of a Nissan Altima was speeding on Shreveport Boulevard when it tried to pass a Kia Forte. The two vehicles collided in the 9000 block of Shreveport Boulevard. This caused the Nissan to hit a pedestrian on the side of the road. The Nissan came to rest in a ditch, with the windshield smashed in.

The driver appeared injured and covered in blood. The driver, described as a Hispanic male, fled the accident scene on foot. The pedestrian was killed in the crash. Family members identified her as Brenda Ball, a deaf woman who often walked along the street to collect cans.

Pedestrians and Texas Law

Texas law requires pedestrians to use a sidewalk if available. However, if there is no sidewalk, the pedestrian is allowed to walk on the side of the road if they:

• Stay on the left side of the roadway.
• Use the shoulder of the highway and face oncoming traffic.

While both pedestrians and drivers have a duty of care while on the roadway, drivers have a higher duty of care because a vehicle has the propensity to injure or kill someone. Motorists should therefore be careful when driving around pedestrians. They need to leave a safe distance when passing and may even want to alter pedestrians who are in the roadway by honking at them.

Tips for Pedestrians

Pedestrians can do their part as well to stay safe. Here are some tips for those who walk or jog on the roadways:

• Wear brightly colored clothing so you can be easily seen, especially if traveling at night.
• Make sure to look both ways before crossing intersections.
• Use sidewalks when available.
• Try to cross roads at intersections. If not available, cross in a well-lit area.
• Keep alert at all times.
• Make eye contact with a driver before crossing at an intersection.
• Be extra careful in driveways and parking lots, where vehicles are backing up and may not see pedestrians.
• Avoid intoxication. Drugs and alcohol can impair your judgment and make pedestrian accidents more likely to occur.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer 

Pedestrian crashes can be deadly, especially at high speeds. People who walk along roads have no protection in the event of a crash.

If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, seek legal help right away. Let the Houston pedestrian accident lawyers at The West Law Office, PLLC assess your situation and get you compensation so you can physically and financially recover. To schedule a free consultation with our office, call 281-347-3247 or fill out the online form.

Resource:

abc13.com/deaf-woman-hit-and-killed-brenda-ball-hearing-impairment-crash-northeast-houston/11043892/