Brian White | July 15, 2021 | Car Accidents
If you ask your friends, family, and neighbors, they may tell you that they live or drive down the deadliest roads in Texas. It may seem that there are traffic accidents each day on your way to work, home, or school. However, some roads in Texas are deadlier than other roads.
MoneyGeek analyzed 10,137 fatal car accidents in Texas between 2017 and 2019.
Based on its analysis, the six deadliest roads in Texas are:
1. Stemmons Freeway (I-35E) in Dallas – 20 fatal crashes, with an average of 4.1 fatal traffic accidents per mile
2. Marvin D Love Freeway in Dallas – 15 fatal crashes, with an average of 3.3 fatal traffic accidents per mile
3. Tomball Parkway (TX-249) in Houston – 14 fatal crashes, with an average of 3.2 fatal traffic accidents per mile
4. I-35 in Austin – 14 fatal crashes, with an average of 3.1 fatal traffic accidents per mile
5. Texas 12 Loop in Dallas – 12 fatal crashes, with an average of 2.5 fatal traffic accidents per mile
6. I-45 in Houston – 12 fatal crashes, with an average of 2.4 fatal traffic accidents per mile
Three of the deadliest roads were in Dallas, and two were in Houston. Many of the deadliest roads in Texas are in or around large urban areas and cities. Heavier traffic and more vehicles on the road could be factors in the number of accidents on urban roads.
What Causes Deadly Car Accidents in Texas?
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the fatality rate on Texas roadways for 2020 increased by 5.66 percent. The number of traffic deaths in 2020 totaled 3,896.
Approximately one person died on Texas roads every two hours and 15 minutes in 2020. One person was injured in traffic accidents every two minutes and 34 seconds. The increase in the number of traffic fatalities is despite COVID lockdowns in 2020.
Speeding was a factor in many of the deadly car crashes. Drivers on open roads with less traffic during the pandemic drove at faster speeds. Increasing vehicle speed increases the risk for an accident and the risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries.
Other dangerous driving behaviors that contributed to the number of traffic accidents in 2020 include distracted driving, aggressive driving, impaired driving, and drowsy driving. Poor road conditions and weather conditions may have played a small part in some car crashes.
Unfortunately, individuals continue to engage in risky driving behaviors. Failing to obey traffic rules, such as yielding the right of way, following too closely, and improper lane merges, also contribute to the number of car accidents each year.
Who Is Liable for Damages Caused by a Texas Car Accident?
Texas is an at-fault state for car wrecks. Drivers must have liability insurance to operate a motor vehicle in Texas. The liability insurance compensates accident victims if the driver causes a collision.
However, you must prove that the driver caused the car crash before you can recover money for a personal injury claim. The insurance company might fight the claim. If so, you might need a car accident lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
If you are successful in your efforts to hold the other party liable for the car crash, you could recover compensation for damages such as:
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Physical pain and suffering
- Travel expenses, medications, and medical equipment
- Doctors’ bills and the cost of medical treatment
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of income and benefits
- Decrease in future earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment of life and decrease in quality of life
Whether you are injured in a car accident on one of the deadliest roads in Texas or a car crash in your neighborhood, you deserve fair compensation for all your damages. However, that might not be possible if you work directly with the insurance company.
Keep in mind that the claims adjuster works for the insurance provider. The claims adjuster’s job is to represent the company, including protecting the company from liability whenever possible.
Be careful when settling a personal injury claim involving a car crash. Make sure that you know how much your damages are worth, and you have completed medical care.
The settlement agreement you sign for the insurance company generally contains a general liability waiver. The waiver releases the insurance company, the at-fault driver, and all other parties for all claims for additional damages or losses.
In other words, once you sign the settlement agreement, you cannot demand more money for your claim. Therefore, make sure to read the fine print and know exactly what you are receiving and what you might be giving up.
Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help
For more information, contact the Houston car accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 224-4878.
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Houston, TX 77098
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