College Station’s Pedestrian Crisis: Why Truck-Pedestrian Collisions Are Surging 432% and What You Can Do
The Alarming Surge in College Station Auto-Pedestrian Incidents
College Station is facing a public safety crisis that few saw coming. According to a comprehensive study by the College Station Fire Department (CSFD), auto-pedestrian incidents—including collisions involving scooters, bicycles, and motor vehicles—have skyrocketed by 432% over the past five years. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a warning sign that our community’s most vulnerable road users are at unprecedented risk.
In 2025 alone, CSFD responded to 100 auto-versus-pedestrian medical calls, with paramedics rushing 45 victims to emergency rooms. But here’s the chilling reality: officials believe many more incidents go unreported. Fire Chief Richard Mann has witnessed the devastating patterns firsthand—broken bones, fractures, and head injuries that change lives in an instant.
“They typically go over the hood,” Chief Mann explained. “Head’s going to hit the windshield. You’re going to have head injuries where you may involve [one] side of the body, basically. If I’m struck on the right side, I’m going to see a broken leg. I may see a broken arm as I go over the hood. I’m going to see a head injury when I slam into the windshield.”
This isn’t just a College Station problem—it’s a Texas-sized crisis unfolding on our streets. And if you or a loved one has been struck by a vehicle in College Station, you need to understand why these accidents are happening, who’s responsible, and how to protect your rights.
Why Are Truck-Pedestrian Collisions Surging in College Station?
The 432% increase in auto-pedestrian incidents isn’t happening by accident. Multiple factors are converging to create this perfect storm:
1. The Texas A&M Effect: Pedestrian Density Like Nowhere Else in Texas
College Station is home to Texas A&M University, one of the largest universities in the nation with over 74,000 students. During class changes, the sidewalks become rivers of pedestrians—many distracted by phones, headphones, or conversations. When these crowds intersect with truck traffic, the results can be deadly.
2. The Trucking Boom: More Freight, More Danger
College Station sits at the crossroads of major Texas freight corridors:
– I-35 (Dallas to Laredo NAFTA corridor)
– Highway 6 (connecting to Houston and the Gulf Coast)
– FM 2818 (major east-west route)
This location makes College Station a trucking hub, with commercial vehicles constantly moving through our streets. More trucks mean more blind spots, wider turns, and greater stopping distances—all factors that increase pedestrian risk.
3. The Scooter Revolution: A New Danger on Our Streets
The explosion of e-scooters and e-bikes has added a new dimension to the pedestrian safety crisis. These vehicles:
– Travel at speeds up to 15-20 mph
– Often operate in pedestrian spaces
– Have limited visibility to truck drivers
– Are frequently ridden by inexperienced operators
When scooters and trucks collide, the results are often tragic.
4. Infrastructure Gaps: College Station’s Roads Weren’t Built for This
Many of College Station’s most dangerous intersections were designed decades ago, when:
– Pedestrian traffic was lighter
– Trucks were less prevalent
– Scooters didn’t exist
Today, these same intersections are accident waiting to happen, with:
– Inadequate crosswalk visibility
– Poor lighting at night
– Lack of protected bike lanes
– No dedicated scooter paths
5. The Distraction Epidemic
Both drivers and pedestrians are more distracted than ever:
– Drivers: Cell phones, GPS, dispatch communications
– Pedestrians: Texting, social media, headphones
– Scooter riders: Often looking at phones while riding
When a 4,000-pound car or 80,000-pound truck meets a distracted pedestrian, physics doesn’t care who was at fault—the pedestrian always loses.
Who’s Really Responsible? The Web of Liability in Truck-Pedestrian Collisions
When a truck strikes a pedestrian in College Station, multiple parties may be liable—not just the driver. Our firm investigates every potential defendant to maximize your recovery.
1. The Truck Driver: Negligence Behind the Wheel
Truck drivers can be held personally liable for:
– Distracted driving (cell phone use, dispatch communications)
– Fatigued driving (violating FMCSA hours-of-service regulations)
– Speeding or reckless driving (especially in pedestrian zones)
– Failure to yield to pedestrians (Texas Transportation Code § 552.003)
– Impaired driving (drugs or alcohol)
FMCSA Violation Spotlight:
– 49 CFR § 392.82 – Prohibits hand-held mobile phone use while driving
– 49 CFR § 392.3 – Prohibits driving while fatigued or ill
– 49 CFR § 392.11 – Requires drivers to exercise caution in hazardous conditions
2. The Trucking Company: Corporate Negligence
Trucking companies are often the deepest pockets in these cases. They can be held liable for:
– Negligent hiring (failing to check driver records)
– Negligent training (inadequate safety instruction)
– Negligent supervision (failing to monitor driver behavior)
– Negligent maintenance (allowing unsafe vehicles on the road)
– Pressuring drivers to violate HOS regulations
Case Example:
In Werner Enterprises v. Blake (Texas, 2022), a jury awarded $150 million to the family of two children killed by a Werner truck. The company was found liable for negligent hiring and supervision after it was revealed they knowingly employed a driver with multiple previous violations.
3. The Cargo Owner: When Loads Create Danger
If the truck was carrying cargo, the shipper may be liable for:
– Overloading the vehicle (exceeding weight limits)
– Improperly secured cargo (causing instability)
– Hazardous materials (creating additional risks)
FMCSA Violation Spotlight:
– 49 CFR § 393.100-136 – Cargo securement requirements
– 49 CFR § 392.9 – Prohibits driving with unsecured cargo
4. The Maintenance Company: When Repairs Fail
Third-party maintenance providers can be liable for:
– Negligent brake repairs
– Faulty tire maintenance
– Improper lighting repairs
– Failure to identify critical safety issues
5. The Truck Manufacturer: When Design Defects Kill
If a vehicle defect contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be liable for:
– Brake system failures
– Steering defects
– Tire blowouts from manufacturing defects
– Blind spot system failures
Case Example:
In Ramsey v. Landstar Ranger (Texas, 2021), a jury awarded $730 million after a Navy propeller being transported as an oversize load killed a 73-year-old woman. The case involved manufacturer liability for improper load securement and trucking company negligence for failing to follow safety protocols.
6. The City of College Station: When Infrastructure Fails
Government entities can be liable for:
– Poorly designed intersections
– Inadequate crosswalk visibility
– Missing or malfunctioning traffic signals
– Lack of pedestrian infrastructure
Legal Note:
Suing a government entity in Texas requires strict notice requirements and has damage caps. You must act quickly—typically within 6 months of the accident.
How We Build Your Case: The Attorney911 Investigation Process
At Attorney911, we don’t just take your word for it—we build an ironclad case using evidence, experts, and our insider knowledge of how trucking companies operate.
Phase 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation (0-72 Hours)
- Send spoliation letters to all potentially liable parties
- Demand ECM/black box data download
- Secure dashcam and surveillance footage
- Photograph the truck and accident scene before repairs
- Interview witnesses before memories fade
Phase 2: Comprehensive Investigation (Days 1-30)
- Obtain ELD data to prove hours-of-service violations
- Subpoena driver qualification files to check for negligent hiring
- Request maintenance records to identify deferred repairs
- Analyze dispatch logs to check for schedule pressure
- Review drug and alcohol test results
- Obtain cell phone records to prove distracted driving
Phase 3: Expert Analysis
- Accident reconstruction to determine fault
- Medical experts to document injuries and future care needs
- Vocational experts to calculate lost earning capacity
- Economic experts to determine present value of damages
- Life care planners for catastrophic injury cases
Phase 4: Aggressive Litigation
- File lawsuit before Texas’ 2-year statute of limitations expires
- Conduct aggressive discovery against all liable parties
- Depose the truck driver, dispatcher, safety manager, and maintenance personnel
- Build a case for trial while negotiating from a position of strength
The College Station Pedestrian Safety Crisis: What’s Being Done?
Chief Mann and CSFD are exploring potential solutions, but there’s no single fix. Some options under consideration:
1. Infrastructure Improvements
- Protected crosswalks with physical barriers
- Pedestrian islands in the middle of busy roads
- Better lighting in high-risk areas
- Dedicated bike/scooter lanes separated from vehicle traffic
2. Policy Changes
- Helmet requirements for scooter and bike riders
- Ban on earphones while riding or walking
- Stricter enforcement of pedestrian right-of-way laws
- Lower speed limits in high-pedestrian zones
3. Public Awareness Campaigns
- Education on pedestrian rights and responsibilities
- Campaigns targeting distracted walking and riding
- Safety initiatives in partnership with Texas A&M
4. Trucking Industry Reforms
- Stricter enforcement of FMCSA regulations
- Mandatory blind spot detection systems
- Improved driver training for urban environments
The Bottom Line: College Station’s Pedestrian Crisis Is Fixable
The 432% surge in auto-pedestrian incidents isn’t inevitable—it’s the result of systemic failures that can be addressed through a combination of:
– Infrastructure improvements
– Policy changes
– Public awareness
– Stricter enforcement of existing laws
But until those changes happen, pedestrians and cyclists remain at serious risk—especially when trucks are involved.
If you or a loved one has been struck by a vehicle in College Station, you don’t have to face this alone. The trucking companies have teams of lawyers working to protect their interests. You deserve the same level of representation.
Learn More About Your Rights After a Trucking Accident
🎥 The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries – What to do when a truck changes your life forever
🎥 Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck? – Your legal rights after a truck-pedestrian collision
🎥 The Definitive Guide to Commercial Truck Accidents – Understanding the complex web of liability
🎥 What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster? – How to protect your claim from the start
🎥 The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits – What to expect if you’ve suffered a TBI
Attorney911: Fighting for College Station’s Most Vulnerable Road Users
We’ve seen what happens when trucks and pedestrians collide. We know the tactics trucking companies use to avoid responsibility. And we have the experience, resources, and determination to hold them accountable.
If you’ve been injured in a truck-pedestrian accident in College Station, you deserve justice. Let us fight for you.
📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. The consultation is free. The call could change your life.