7 Common Causes of Car Accidents in Texas

Thousands of people get killed in traffic accidents in Texas. Based on a report by the Texas Department of Transport, nearly one reportable crash occurs every minute. Every ten hours, nearly 300 people are injured and four people killed in the state.

Various reasons contribute to car accidents, and It is essential to determine how the car accident happened so that the right entities can be held accountable says attorney Richard S. Plattner. Most of the time, a driver is guilty of a blatant disregard for road safety rules that lead to an accident. The at-fault driver has to compensate the victims for the losses suffered due to the negligence or willful disregard of road rules. Car defects are an additional common cause of car accidents, which is why I urge all car owners to learn more about California lemon law rather than risk their lives driving an unsafe car.

In this post, you will learn about some of the most common reasons for car accidents and the legal remedy available to victims in Texas. The first step is finding a good personal injury lawyer.

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1. Over Speeding

Driving above the speed limit is one of the main causes of car accidents. Thousands of crashes occur in Texas for violating the speed limit.

An individual who drives at a high speed won’t be able to control the vehicle in the event of an emergency. Moving at a high speed also reduces the reaction time of the driver, which greatly increases the chances of a car accident.

A high-speed collision releases a tremendous amount of energy. This increases the likelihood of serious injuries, fatalities, and structural vehicle damage.

2. Driving Under the Influence

Another common reason for car accidents in Texas is driving under the influence of alcohol or drug. While there are strict laws regarding drunk driving, a lot of people flaunt the rules and drive above the limit for alcohol or drugs.

Driving under the influence makes a driver less focused on the road. The reaction time reduces significantly due to being under the influence of an intoxicant. Even drivers who are legally drunk are at risk of causing a car accident. Those in Indiana in need of a New Albany DUI Lawyer may want to reach out to a legal firm like Church, Langdon, Lopp, Banet Law to help you in the event of facing charges relating to a DUI.

3. Violation of Traffic Rules

Traffic rules are made to ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers. Drivers should always follow road rules such as stopping at the red light, yielding to oncoming traffic, and giving the right of way to pedestrians at the intersection. Violation of road rules is another common cause of vehicle accident.

4. Dangerous Road Conditions

Dangerous road conditions are another cause of car accidents in Texas. Potholes and slippery roads increase the risk of a tire blowout and traffic collision.

In addition, traffic congestion problems in Dallas and other urban areas have led to poor road conditions. To further complicate things, the High Five Interchange in Dallas and the Mixmaster in Fort Worth in Texas can confuse drivers, leading to an accident.

5. Lack of Sleep

Drowsiness is a surprisingly common cause of road accidents. Lack of sleep greatly reduces the reaction time of drivers, often making them falling asleep behind the wheel. This increases the likelihood of a multiple vehicle accident resulting in serious injuries and vehicle damages.

6. Texting While Driving

Texting while driving also contributes to road traffic accidents in Texas. Nearly one in five crashes in the state occurs due to the use of a cell phone when driving.

Reading text while driving takes the eyes of a driver off the road for an average of about 4 seconds. However, it takes less than a second for things to take a turn for the worse on the road. This is the leading cause of traffic accidents among teenagers.

Due to the dangers of texting while driving, Texas passed a law during the 85^th Texas Legislative Session in 2017 that banned texting while driving.

7. Old Age

People experience vision loss with age. Also, the reaction time decreases significantly during old age. As a result, the chances of a road accident increase significantly.

Many senior individuals don’t relinquish the right to drive despite experiencing severe vision loss. While Texas DOT has not prescribed any age limit for senior citizens, individuals aged 79 or older are required to renew the driving license by passing a vision test and submitting their medical records to a license office representative.

Information About Car Accident Cases in Texas

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, you can file a personal injury case against the at-fault driver. Drivers and pedestrians owe each other duty to care. Intentional disregard of road safety rules that lead to an accident is punishable in the court.

The driver responsible for a car accident has to compensate the victim for the emotional loss, physical pain, and financial hardship sustained due to the accident. If you think you may be owed compensation, or the accident wasn’t your fault, you should contact personal injury attorney as soon as possible to start the legal process.

Keep in mind that you have at the most two years to file a personal injury case in Texas. This is in accordance with the state’s Statute of Limitation. After the expiry of this period, you won’t be able to file a personal injury claim for the car accident.

Another important thing to remember regarding auto accident personal injury cases is that you should get your injuries treated no more than 14 days after an accident. Even if the injury is minor at the time, you need to get yourself evaluated by a professional doctor. The doctors’ description of the injuries will prove invaluable in determining the extent of the injuries.

Lastly, you should always contact a professional car accident attorney after getting injured in a traffic accident. An attorney will gather the required documents and prepare a strong case for you. Getting the help of an attorney will greatly increase the chances of a successful personal injury court outcome.

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?

The services of an auto accident lawyer will prove invaluable in car accident cases. The attorney will help you navigate through the complex personal injury laws relating to car accidents.

A car accident attorney will also take care of all the hassles involved in a personal injury case. The legal expert will also advise you on how to best proceed with the case. The cost of hiring the services of a professional is worth it, saving you time, effort, and headache involved in fighting a car accident personal injury case.