The Texas highway system offers thousands of miles of well-maintained streets for local and cross-state access. Highways are some of the most efficient and direct routes to major destinations across Southeast Texas and the state as a whole.
Unfortunately, they are also where many of the worst collisions in the state occur every year. Highway crashes can involve multiple vehicles or such extreme damage that catastrophic injuries are likely.
Motorists who understand the top causes that contribute to highway collisions can be proactive about limiting their risk of life-altering crashes. What causes many highway collisions in Texas?
1. Excessive speed
Speeding is a common safety issue on the highways across Texas. It causes many deadly wrecks. Motorists in the left lane often travel at well over 10 miles per hour beyond the posted speed limit. As speed increases, the severity of crashes increases as well. Drivers are more likely to lose control if they must abruptly maneuver or if something goes wrong with their vehicles.
2. Driver distraction and impairment
Most motorists understand that being on the road while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is both dangerous and illegal. Drivers are also aware that they should not text or otherwise interact with their mobile phones while driving.
Unfortunately, impaired motorists are responsible for a large number of major crashes, including many fatal crashes. At high speeds, drivers can travel farther than a football field in a matter of seconds while glancing down at their phones.
3. Vehicle issues
High speeds strain vehicle systems. If drivers don’t have their brakes in safe operating condition or if their tires are nearly bald, those maintenance issues can create very dangerous traffic conditions.
Minor vehicle issues can be the difference between safely avoiding a crash and causing one. That’s particularly true when motorists must maneuver abruptly or stop suddenly. When another driver was clearly at fault for a highway collision, the people affected by it may have grounds for a compensation claim.
Requesting reimbursement for vehicle repair costs, medical expenses and even lost wages can be an option after a car crash. Those with major collision expenses can benefit from reviewing their losses, the insurance of the other driver and other details about the situation with a Southeast Texas car accident lawyer to effectively evaluate their options.