Texas crosswalk laws protect pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. Drivers must stop and yield when a pedestrian lawfully occupies the crossing, and painted lines are not required at many intersections.
Insurance companies often blame the injured person. Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock pedestrian accident attorneys investigate the intersection, preserve video, interview witnesses, and challenge unsupported fault claims.
Call Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock at (210) 941-1301 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7, and there is No Cost to You unless we win.
Crosswalk Rules Every Texas Pedestrian Should Know
- Texas law protects pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
- Drivers must stop and yield when a pedestrian lawfully occupies the crosswalk.
- Pedestrians must obey traffic signals and cannot enter the path of a vehicle that is too close to stop.
- Crossing outside a marked crosswalk does not automatically prevent an injured pedestrian from recovering compensation.
- Most Texas pedestrian injury lawsuits must be filed within two years, but important evidence can disappear much sooner.
What rights do pedestrians have in a Texas crosswalk?
Texas law requires drivers to stop and yield to pedestrians lawfully using marked or unmarked crosswalks, while pedestrians must obey crossing signals and avoid entering the path of a vehicle that cannot stop safely.
When Do Pedestrians Have the Right of Way in Texas?
Pedestrians have the right of way when they enter a crosswalk lawfully under the signal and right-of-way rules that apply at that location. A driver must stop and yield when the pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the roadway or approaching closely enough from the opposite half to be in danger.
Crosswalks Without Traffic Signals
Texas Transportation Code Chapter 552 requires a driver to stop and yield when no traffic signal controls the crossing and the pedestrian is in the protected part of the crosswalk.
A driver cannot roll through the crossing, pass closely behind the pedestrian, or force the person to retreat. The driver must remain stopped long enough for the pedestrian to cross safely.
Signal-Controlled Crosswalks
A pedestrian facing a “Walk” signal can proceed in the direction of that signal. A driver turning through the crosswalk must stop and yield, even when the driver has a green light.
A pedestrian who entered during the “Walk” signal can continue to the sidewalk or safety island after the signal changes. The changing signal does not give a turning driver permission to cut through an occupied crosswalk.
What Is the Difference Between a Marked and Unmarked Crosswalk in Texas?
A marked crosswalk has painted lines or other visible markings. An unmarked crosswalk exists at many intersections where the path of a sidewalk or roadway edge continues across the intersecting street.
| Type of Crossing | Where It Exists | Main Right-of-Way Rule |
| Marked intersection crosswalk | At an intersection with painted lines | Drivers must stop and yield when the pedestrian crosses lawfully |
| Unmarked intersection crosswalk | At many intersections without painted lines | Pedestrians receive the same right-of-way protection when crossing lawfully |
| Marked midblock crosswalk | Between intersections where markings create a crossing | Drivers must stop and yield to lawful users |
| Unmarked midblock location | Between intersections without markings | Pedestrians generally must yield to approaching vehicles |
| Signal-controlled crosswalk | At an intersection with pedestrian or traffic signals | The signal determines when the pedestrian may enter |
Painted Lines Are Not Required
Drivers often assume there is no crosswalk when they do not see paint. That assumption is wrong at many intersections.
Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock examines sidewalks, curbs, impact points, debris, and video to establish the boundaries of an unmarked crosswalk.
Midblock Crossings Follow Different Rules
A pedestrian crossing at an unmarked midblock location generally must yield to traffic. Between adjacent intersections with operating signals, pedestrians must use a marked crosswalk.
When Must a Driver Stop for a Pedestrian?
A driver must stop when a pedestrian lawfully occupies the driver’s half of a crosswalk or is approaching closely enough from the opposite half to face danger. The duty applies at marked and unmarked crosswalks when no signal controls the crossing.
Turning Drivers Must Clear the Crosswalk
A green light does not create an unrestricted right to turn. Drivers turning right or left must check the crosswalk and wait until the pedestrian is clear.
Common violations include:
- Turning right on red without checking the sidewalk
- Watching oncoming traffic while ignoring the crosswalk
- Accelerating through a left turn
- Entering the crosswalk before there is room to complete the turn
- Cutting in front of a pedestrian who has the “Walk” signal
Drivers Cannot Pass a Stopped Vehicle
A driver approaching from behind cannot pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross. The stopped vehicle may block the approaching driver’s view.
This rule prevents a second driver from entering an occupied crosswalk after another motorist has already recognized the danger and stopped.
What Responsibilities Do Texas Pedestrians Have?
Pedestrians must follow signals, use marked crosswalks where required, and avoid entering the path of a vehicle that cannot stop.
Pedestrians Cannot Enter Too Suddenly
A pedestrian cannot suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and move into the path of a vehicle so close that the driver cannot stop.
Insurers often misuse this rule. They argue that any person struck in a crosswalk must have entered too quickly. We test that claim by examining:
- The driver’s speed
- The distance available to stop
- How long the pedestrian was visible
- Whether the driver braked
- Lighting and weather
- Phone use or distraction
- Video and witness accounts
Pedestrians Must Follow Signals
A pedestrian should not begin crossing against a steady red light, “Don’t Walk” signal, or “Wait” signal. A person who entered lawfully during the “Walk” phase can finish crossing after the signal changes.
Crossing Outside a Crosswalk Does Not Automatically End a Claim
Crossing outside a crosswalk can reduce a pedestrian’s recovery, but it does not automatically eliminate the claim. The driver still must use reasonable care to avoid a visible pedestrian.
Texas allows recovery when the injured person is 50 percent or less responsible, with compensation reduced by the assigned percentage.
What Did the New Texas Crosswalk Law Change?
The phrase “new Texas crosswalk law” usually refers to the Lisa Torry Smith Act, which took effect in 2021. The law strengthened the stop-and-yield language and imposed criminal penalties on certain negligent drivers who injure vulnerable road users in crosswalks.
The Law Requires Drivers to Stop and Yield
The Lisa Torry Smith Act changed the statutory language from “yield” to “stop and yield.” That difference matters because a driver must come to a stop rather than attempt to squeeze through while a pedestrian remains in danger.
Serious Crosswalk Collisions Can Lead to Criminal Charges
A driver who acts with criminal negligence in the area of a crosswalk and causes bodily injury can face a Class A misdemeanor. The offense can become a state jail felony when the injured person suffers serious bodily injury.
Criminal charges and a civil injury claim are separate. A driver can face criminal prosecution while the injured person pursues compensation through a civil case.
Texas Expanded Protection in 2025
Texas added stop-and-yield protections for qualifying sidewalk users, including people on certain scooters, skateboards, skates, and mobility devices. Those users must enter crosswalks at a reasonable speed.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Crosswalk Collision?
The driver is often the primary defendant, but an employer, rideshare company, vehicle owner, or other business can share responsibility. We investigate every relationship connected to the vehicle and every available insurance policy.
A Negligent Driver
Driver negligence can include:
- Failure to stop and yield
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving while impaired
- Failure to check before turning
- Passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk
- Ignoring a pedestrian signal
An Employer or Commercial Vehicle Company
An employer can be responsible when an employee hits a pedestrian while performing assigned work. The company may also face direct liability for unsafe hiring, training, supervision, or vehicle policies.
A Rideshare Driver or Vehicle Owner
Uber and Lyft claims can involve different coverage depending on the driver’s app status. A vehicle owner may also face liability for allowing an unsafe or unqualified person to drive.
Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock obtains app records, trip data, ownership documents, and insurance policies to identify every source of recovery.
What Compensation Can an Injured Pedestrian Pursue?
An injured pedestrian can pursue compensation for the financial and personal losses caused by the collision. We build the damages case around current expenses and the long-term effect of the injuries.
Economic Damages
A claim can include:
- Emergency and hospital bills
- Surgery and rehabilitation
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning ability
- Medical equipment
- Home or vehicle modifications
- Transportation and household assistance
Noneconomic Damages
A claim can also include physical pain, mental anguish, impairment, and disfigurement. These losses require evidence showing how the injury changed the person’s work, mobility, independence, and daily life.
Wrongful Death Damages
When a crosswalk collision causes a death, qualifying family members can pursue a wrongful death claim. The estate can also bring a survival claim for losses the person experienced before death.
What Evidence Can Prove a Texas Crosswalk Injury Claim?
Strong evidence establishes where the pedestrian crossed, how long the driver had to respond, and why the collision occurred. We move quickly because video, electronic data, and witness information can disappear.
Evidence We Pursue
Our investigation can include:
- Traffic, surveillance, and dashcam video
- Vehicle event data
- Cell phone and rideshare records
- Witness statements
- Signal timing records
- Scene photographs and vehicle damage
The Police Report Is Not the Final Word
A police report provides useful information, but it does not decide civil liability. The officer may not have witnessed the collision, identified every camera, or correctly mapped an unmarked crosswalk.
We conduct an independent investigation and build the case around evidence that can withstand scrutiny in court.
Texas Usually Allows Two Years to File
Texas generally requires a personal injury lawsuit to be filed within two years after the claim accrues. Wrongful death claims generally carry a two-year period measured from the date of death, although exceptions and shorter government notice rules can apply.
Texas Crosswalk Law Questions
These answers address common questions about pedestrian crosswalk laws in Texas.
Does a pedestrian always have the right of way?
No. A pedestrian has the right of way when crossing lawfully under the applicable signal and crosswalk rules. A pedestrian cannot suddenly enter the path of a vehicle that is too close to stop.
Is every intersection a crosswalk in Texas?
Many intersections contain unmarked crosswalks even when no painted lines are visible. The legal crossing generally follows the path of the sidewalks or roadway edges across the intersecting street.
Can a driver turn while a pedestrian is in the crosswalk?
A driver can turn only after stopping and yielding to a pedestrian lawfully occupying the adjacent crosswalk. A green light or permitted right turn on red does not allow the driver to force the pedestrian to stop or retreat.
Can I recover if I crossed outside a marked crosswalk?
You can still have a claim. Crossing outside a crosswalk can affect the allocation of fault, but drivers remain responsible for using reasonable care to avoid a collision.
Put The Trucking Trial Lawyers on Your Side
Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock investigates every driver, company, policy, and key piece of evidence. We challenge blame-shifting and prepare for trial from the start.
When you contact us, you receive:
- A free consultation
- Direct attorney communication
- Immediate evidence preservation
- Trial-ready representation
- No Cost to You unless we win
Call Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock at (210) 941-1301 for a free consultation.