Texas is expanding its highways at a historic pace. From Houston’s multi-billion-dollar efforts to widen I-45, to ongoing construction along I-35, I-10, and the state’s fast-growing toll networks, road expansion has become a defining feature of life in Texas. These massive projects are intended to ease congestion and improve mobility. They have also created another reality on the ground: more severe crashes, more dangerous work zones, and more injuries and fatalities for Texas drivers.
At Hollingsworth Law Firm, our Houston personal injury attorneys represent victims harmed in collisions tied to these expanding highway corridors. Understanding why expansion projects are increasing the severity of crashes can help Texas residents better protect themselves and take action when negligence leads to tragedy.
Why Highway Expansion Projects Increase Crash Risks
Highway expansion is supposed to make driving safer. However, during the years of active construction, the conditions created by these projects can produce the opposite result. Texas drivers are navigating work zones filled with lane shifts, narrowed lanes, temporary barriers, poor lighting, and uneven pavement. These hazards create conditions in which even a momentary error can have catastrophic consequences.
Several factors contribute to the increased crash severity seen along expanding highways:
- Reduced lane widths and sudden shifts.
Temporary lanes often leave little room for error, especially for large trucks and high-speed traffic.
- Inconsistent or confusing signage.
Drivers can misinterpret lane changes or fail to anticipate upcoming merges or closures.
- Barrels, barricades, and concrete barriers.
Fixed obstacles positioned close to moving traffic leave no escape route when a driver loses control.
- Uneven road surfaces and drop-offs.
Construction zones regularly involve pavement changes that affect vehicle stability and stopping distances.
- Increased congestion and unpredictable slowdowns.
Merging patterns and lane closures create sudden bottlenecks that lead to rear-end and multi-vehicle collisions.
These conditions transform routine commutes into high-risk situations, especially on highways already known for speeding and aggressive driving.
How Highway Expansion Magnifies the Severity of Crashes
The hazards of expansion zones do not just increase the frequency of crashes. They make crashes significantly more severe.
- Fixed Barriers Turn Minor Mistakes Into Catastrophic Collisions
When a vehicle strikes a concrete barrier or construction wall, the impact force is absorbed almost entirely by the car and its occupants. Unlike grassy medians or open shoulders, barriers offer no margin for correction.
A slight drift or overcorrection can lead to:
These collisions often result in life-changing injuries or fatalities.
- Heavy Truck Traffic Meets Narrow Work Zones
Texas highways see some of the highest commercial truck volumes in the nation. When 18-wheelers navigate narrow lanes or shifting patterns, the margin for error disappears. A single misjudgment can cause multi-vehicle pileups or violent underride crashes, especially when barriers prevent evasive action.
- Drivers Misjudge Construction Layouts at High Speeds
Even with posted work zone speed limits, many drivers continue to drive at highway speeds. When traffic suddenly slows or lanes shift sharply, high-speed crashes become inevitable. Impact forces dramatically increase with speed, leading to more serious injuries.
- Nighttime Construction Creates Reduced Visibility
Expansion zones are often active 24/7. At night, limited lighting and shadowed lane markings create poor visibility. Pedestrians, workers, and construction vehicles become harder to see, increasing the risk of severe or fatal crashes.
Why Texas’s Rapid Growth Makes Highway Expansion Even More Dangerous
Texas is growing faster than almost any other state. As new developments, suburbs, and business centers stretch farther from city cores, the pressure on roadways intensifies. Expansion projects may take years, but traffic increases immediately.
This creates a dangerous combination:
- More commuters.
- More trucks.
- More construction zones.
- More congestion.
- More points of driver confusion.
Houston, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and San Antonio all have expansion corridors that remain under construction for years. Drivers use these incomplete sections daily, meaning risk is not temporary; it is constant.
How Hollingsworth Law Firm Helps Victims of Expansion-Related Crashes
Expansion-related crash claims are complex. Multiple parties may share responsibility, including negligent drivers, contractors, subcontractors, project managers, or state and municipal agencies that failed to maintain safe work zones.
Hollingsworth Law Firm helps victims by:
- Investigating whether contractors complied with safety standards.
- Reviewing signage, lighting, and barrier placement for compliance failures.
- Analyzing crash reconstruction reports to determine liability.
- Identifying negligent drivers whose actions triggered or worsened the crash.
- Pursuing compensation that reflects the long-term consequences of the injuries.
Our attorneys understand the engineering, regulatory, and human factors involved in highway construction crashes. We fight to ensure victims receive the justice and financial recovery they deserve.
Contact Hollingsworth Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a Texas highway expansion zone, legal help is available. The attorneys at Hollingsworth Law Firm are ready to investigate, protect your rights, and pursue full compensation.
Contact our Houston office today at 713-637-4560 or online to schedule a free consultation.
About The Author
Steve Hollingsworth
Steve Hollingsworth is a seasoned trial attorney with extensive experience across Texas. After beginning his career as a felony prosecutor, Steve went on to represent major insurance companies before focusing on helping individuals injured in car, motorcycle, trucking accidents, and premises liability cases. Founder of his own firm, Steve is committed to providing personalized, client-focused legal representation to ensure justice for those he serves.
