Hit While Walking or Biking in Fort Worth, TX
Short answer: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk when there's no signal, and your own auto policy's PIP and UM/UIM can cover you even when you weren't in a car. Get medical care first, then the crash report, then figure out which policies apply.
Right of way, briefly
Where traffic signals aren't in place or working, a driver must yield to a pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk on the driver's half of the road, or approaching closely enough to be in danger (Transp. Code §552.003). Pedestrians also have duties. Crossing mid-block between signalized intersections, or stepping suddenly into a car's path, can create comparative fault, which reduces your recovery and bars it above 50% (CPRC §§33.001, 33.012). Cyclists generally have the rights and duties of drivers on the road.
Which insurance pays
- The driver's liability insurance, at least $30,000 per person in Texas (Transp. Code §601.072).
- Your own auto policy: PIP and UM/UIM often cover you as a pedestrian or cyclist, even when no car of yours was involved (Ins. Code §§1952.101, 1952.151). Check your policy's definition of "insured."
- A household member's policy may cover you if you don't own a car.
- Health insurance for treatment, coordinated later.
Evidence that helps walkers and riders
- Photos of the crosswalk, signal, lighting and sight lines, taken as soon as you can.
- Nearby business or doorbell cameras. Ask within days, since many overwrite in a week or two.
- Your damaged bike, helmet, shoes and clothing. Don't throw them out.
- Witnesses, especially other pedestrians or drivers who stopped.
Fort Worth context
TxDOT's public CRIS extract we use records crash location, time, severity and collision type, but not vehicle type, so we don't publish Fort Worth-only counts for this crash type. For all crashes inside Fort Worth in 2021–2025, 32.8% involved an injury and the busiest hour was 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Original analysis of TxDOT CRIS crash reports, 2021–2025, crashes where the CRIS city field is Fort Worth). Darkness matters for pedestrians: if you walk or ride after dark on I-35W, wear light or reflective clothing and use lights.
Local help in and around Fort Worth
- Emergency: call 911. Inside city limits the Fort Worth Police Department responds; on some highways it may be the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office or Texas DPS.
- Crash report: the CR-3 is available from TxDOT about 10 business days after the crash (how to get it).
- Emergency care nearby: JPS Health Network (John Peter Smith Hospital) (Hospital emergency room); Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth (Hospital emergency room); Medical City Alliance (Hospital emergency room); Texas Health Alliance (Hospital emergency room).
- Not sure where to start? Our first-steps checklist covers the first 72 hours.
Common questions
Does my car insurance cover me if I was walking?
Often yes. PIP and UM/UIM on your own policy commonly cover you as a pedestrian. Check the definition of "insured" in your policy.
What if the driver left?
Call 911 and report it as a hit-and-run. UM coverage can apply to an unknown driver when there was actual contact (Ins. Code §1952.104).
Was I at fault for crossing outside a crosswalk?
Maybe partly. Texas compares fault. You can still recover if you were 50% or less responsible, reduced by your share.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Generally two years from the crash (CPRC §16.003).
Want a lawyer to look at your case for free?
If you were hurt in a crash that wasn't your fault, in Fort Worth or anywhere else in Texas, you can ask for a free consultation. A trusted local attorney will contact you promptly and evaluate your case for free. There's no cost to ask and no obligation.