Why Pedestrian Accidents Increase After Daylight Saving Time Ends in Texas

When daylight saving time ends, the evenings become darker earlier, changing the conditions drivers and pedestrians face on Texas roads. For people commuting home from work, walking through neighborhoods, or crossing busy streets in McAllen and Edinburg, reduced visibility can create additional safety concerns.

The end of daylight saving time is especially important in Texas because pedestrian crashes are already a significant traffic safety concern during the fall. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), October and November are the months when pedestrian crashes are most likely to occur statewide. In 2025, 694 pedestrians were killed in Texas traffic crashes, and nearly 20% of those deaths occurred during October and November. TxDOT also reported that 68% of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries occurred in darkness.

For residents of McAllen, Edinburg, and the Rio Grande Valley, understanding these risks can help prevent accidents and protect pedestrians during the darker months.

How the End of Daylight Saving Time Affects Pedestrian Safety

When daylight saving time ends, clocks move back one hour. Although this change provides more daylight in the morning, it also means that darkness arrives earlier in the evening.

This shift can affect pedestrian safety in several ways.

Reduced Visibility During Evening Commutes

Many people in the Rio Grande Valley leave work, school, or other activities during the late afternoon and evening. After the time change, these trips may take place in darker conditions.

Drivers may have difficulty seeing pedestrians wearing dark clothing, particularly when walking along poorly lit roads or crossing outside designated areas.

Pedestrians may also misjudge how visible they are to approaching vehicles. Even when someone can clearly see a car, the driver may not immediately notice them.

More Pedestrians Walking After Dark

Shorter daylight hours can mean that people who walk for exercise, commute on foot, or run errands are doing so after sunset.

This can be particularly concerning in areas where sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, or street lighting are limited.

In McAllen and Edinburg, pedestrians may encounter busy intersections, shopping center entrances, parking lots, and roadways with significant vehicle traffic. Drivers should remain alert in these areas, especially when visibility is reduced.

Drivers May Not Adjust to Changing Conditions

The time change does not automatically change a driver’s habits. Some motorists may continue driving at their usual speed even when visibility is lower.

Speeding, distracted driving, failure to yield, and overlooking pedestrians at intersections can increase the risk of a collision.

TxDOT identifies failure to yield, distracted driving, and speeding among the leading contributing factors in Texas pedestrian crashes. 

Pedestrian Accident Risks in McAllen and Edinburg

Pedestrian safety is an important concern throughout the Rio Grande Valley, where residents frequently travel between neighborhoods, schools, shopping centers, workplaces, and local businesses.

According to reporting on TxDOT Pharr District data, the district recorded 222 pedestrian crashes in 2024, resulting in 27 fatalities and 47 serious injuries. McAllen recorded 44 pedestrian crashes, including one fatality and 12 serious injuries, while Edinburg recorded 16 crashes, including one fatality and two serious injuries. 

These figures highlight the importance of pedestrian safety in local communities, particularly as the evenings become darker.

Busy Roads and Intersections

Pedestrians may face additional risks when crossing roads with multiple lanes, turning vehicles, or heavy traffic.

Drivers approaching intersections should watch for pedestrians crossing legally, including those who may be difficult to see in low-light conditions.

Pedestrians should use marked crosswalks and traffic signals whenever available and avoid assuming that an approaching vehicle will stop.

Shopping Centers and Parking Lots

Pedestrian accidents can also happen in parking lots, especially during evening shopping trips.

Drivers backing out of parking spaces or turning into shopping center entrances may have limited visibility. Pedestrians walking between parked vehicles can also be difficult to see.

Both drivers and pedestrians should remain alert in parking lots, particularly when lighting is limited.

Who Is Responsible for a Pedestrian Accident in Texas?

When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, determining responsibility depends on the circumstances of the accident.

Texas law requires drivers to exercise appropriate care and follow applicable traffic laws. Drivers may be held responsible for a pedestrian accident if their negligence contributed to the collision.

Examples of potentially negligent driving include:

• Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk
• Distracted driving, including texting or using a phone
• Driving too fast for visibility or road conditions
• Failing to watch for pedestrians while turning
• Ignoring traffic signals or signs
• Driving while impaired

However, liability is not automatic simply because a pedestrian was injured.

Texas follows a modified comparative responsibility system. Depending on the circumstances, an injured pedestrian’s own conduct may affect their ability to recover compensation and the amount they may receive.

Under Texas law, a person generally cannot recover damages if their percentage of responsibility is greater than 50%. If their responsibility is 50% or less, any recovery may be reduced by their percentage of fault.

The specific facts of the accident, available evidence, and applicable law determine how responsibility is evaluated.

What Should You Do If You Are Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?

If you or someone you know is struck by a vehicle in McAllen, Edinburg, or elsewhere in the Rio Grande Valley, taking certain steps may help protect your health and preserve important evidence.

1. Seek Medical Attention

Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries, including fractures, head trauma, spinal injuries, and internal injuries.

Call 911 if the situation is an emergency. Even if you initially feel fine, seek medical attention when appropriate because some injuries may not become immediately apparent.

2. Report the Accident

Contact law enforcement when appropriate and make sure the accident is documented.

An official crash report may contain important information about the collision, including the parties involved, location, and circumstances.

3. Preserve Evidence

If it is safe to do so, document the accident scene.

Useful evidence may include:

• Photographs of the accident location
• Images of vehicle damage and visible injuries
• Names and contact information of witnesses
• Nearby surveillance or traffic camera footage
• Medical records and treatment documentation
• Information about lighting and visibility at the time of the accident

Evidence may become harder to obtain as time passes, so preserving relevant information promptly can be important.

4. Avoid Making Assumptions About Fault

Pedestrian accidents can involve complicated circumstances. Avoid making assumptions about who is legally responsible before the facts have been reviewed.

Be accurate when describing what happened and keep copies of any relevant communications, reports, and records.

5. Understand Texas Personal Injury Deadlines

Texas generally provides a two-year statute of limitations for many personal injury claims, including pedestrian accident claims. However, exceptions may apply, and claims involving governmental entities can have separate notice requirements and shorter deadlines.

If you believe another party’s negligence caused your injuries, consider seeking legal guidance promptly.

How Brasure Law PLLC Can Help After a Pedestrian Accident

A pedestrian accident can leave an injured person facing medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation, and uncertainty about the future.

Brasure Law PLLC represents individuals in personal injury matters in Texas. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in McAllen, Edinburg, or elsewhere in the Rio Grande Valley, the firm can help you understand whether you may have a claim and what legal options may be available.

Depending on the circumstances, a personal injury claim may involve:

• Reviewing the accident and available evidence
• Evaluating potential liability
• Identifying applicable insurance coverage
• Assessing medical expenses and other potential damages
• Helping you understand the legal process

Every case is different, and no particular outcome can be guaranteed. The facts of the accident and applicable Texas law determine whether compensation may be available.

If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident, contact Brasure Law PLLC to schedule a confidential consultation and discuss your situation.

Stay Alert as the Evenings Get Darker

The end of daylight saving time serves as an important reminder for drivers and pedestrians to pay attention to changing road conditions.

Drivers should slow down, avoid distractions, and watch carefully for pedestrians. People walking should use sidewalks and crosswalks when available, follow traffic signals, and improve their visibility with reflective clothing or a flashlight.

Taking precautions can help reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents throughout McAllen, Edinburg, and the Rio Grande Valley.

If an accident does occur, seeking medical care, preserving evidence, and understanding your legal options can be important steps toward moving forward.