Are You Injured In A Highway Accident in Houston, TX?
At the Hollingsworth Law Firm, our Houston highway accident attorneys know that our city is the ninth-most expansive city in the United States, comprising over 637 square miles.
Harris County is home to nearly 3.5 million registered vehicles, with Houston alone accounting for 2.3 million residents and counting, making it the most populous city in Texas, and the fourth-most populous city in the country.
Both the city’s population and expansive makeup require the extensive use of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, as it is estimated that just over 77% of commuters drive to work alone each day. Anyone who has traveled Houston’s massive highway system understands the congestion these millions of vehicles create each day.
The reality is, the eight-county Greater Houston metropolitan area contains over 25,000 miles of roadway, which hosts thousands of traffic collisions, injuries, and fatalities each year. If you have been hurt on a Houston highway, contact our skilled Harris County personal injury attorneys for a free consultation today.
We want to help you understand your legal rights and options to pursue the negligent party for your full financial recovery.
What are the Most Widely Used Highway Systems in Houston, Texas?
There were over 58,000 vehicle collisions in Houston last year alone, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), including those that occurred on the city’s freeway system, which is expansive, congested, and often dangerous, including Interstate 10, Interstate 45, and Interstate 69, commonly known as U.S. Route 59, and Interstate 610 that are integral to the city’s local and statewide commerce.
Other major highways serving the Houston area, which can lead to significant traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities include:
- Beltway 8
- Hardy Toll Road
- Westpark Tollway
- Texas 99
- Texas 146
- Texas 225
- Texas 249
- Texas 288
- U.S. 90
- U.S. 290
If you or someone you love was injured or lost their life to negligence on one of our Houston highways, contact our skilled car accident attorneys today for a free consultation.
We want to help.
Our skilled bilingual Houston personal injury lawyers and support staff represent clients throughout the state of Texas on a contingency basis, so you never pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
Local Factors Impacting Highway Accidents:
Traffic Congestion: Houston is known for its traffic congestion, which can lead to frustration and impatience among drivers. Congested highways can contribute to rear-end collisions and other types of accidents.
Weather Variability: The city’s climate is characterized by sudden weather changes, including heavy rain, fog, and occasional ice storms. These conditions can greatly impact visibility and road traction, increasing the risk of accidents.
Diverse Driver Demographics: Houston is a melting pot of cultures, with drivers from various backgrounds and driving experiences. This diversity can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and varied driving habits, which may contribute to accidents.
Construction Zones: Due to ongoing development and maintenance projects, Houston’s highways often have construction zones. These areas require extra caution, as they can lead to lane changes, reduced speed limits, and unexpected traffic patterns.
Oil and Gas Industry: Houston’s economy is closely tied to the oil and gas industry, which results in a high volume of commercial vehicles on the road. Accidents involving large trucks and commercial vehicles can have severe consequences.
Navigating Highway Accidents: What to Do
In the unfortunate event of a highway accident, it’s crucial to follow these steps:
Ensure Safety: Move your vehicle to a safe location if possible and turn on hazard lights. Check for injuries and call emergency services if needed.
Exchange Information: Exchange contact, insurance, and driver’s license details with the other parties involved. Gather contact information from witnesses as well.
Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any relevant road signs or landmarks. This documentation can be invaluable for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
Report the Accident: Notify law enforcement and file an accident report. Request a copy of the report for your records.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, it’s advisable to seek medical evaluation after an accident. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Contact Legal Professionals: Reach out to experienced attorneys like us at Hollingsworth Law Firm. We specialize in highway accident cases and can guide you through the legal process, ensuring your rights are protected.
What are the Most Common Causes of Houston Highway Vehicle Accidents?
TxDOT reported nearly 20,000 crash injuries and 300 fatalities occurred in Houston last year.
Unfortunately, most of the crashes may have been the result of direct negligence and could have been prevented, and were caused by drivers whose reckless behavior included:
- Aggressive Driving / Road Rage
- Distracted Driving
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
- Drowsy Driving
- Failing to Obey Traffic Signs & Signals
- Improper Turns
- Speeding
- Vehicle Defects
If you have been injured in a Houston highway crash, or tragically lost a loved one to negligence, contact our dedicated car accident attorneys in Harris County today for help.
How Does Commercial Vehicle Traffic Impact the Number of Accidents in Houston, Texas?
Huge volumes of freight coming into local ports put thousands of trucks on the road each day, making Houston a hotbed for Semi-Truck and other commercial freight vehicle bottlenecks.
Unfortunately for Houston residents and commuters, the worst Houston truck backups occur along I-45 or I-10 at I-45, within the area of the mega-project the Texas Department of Transportation is proposing to rebuild I-45, just south of the central business district.
While a reliable and stable transportation network is essential to our economy, when these large commercial vehicles collide with much smaller passenger vehicles, our Houston residents are the ones who pay the price with extensive injuries or even their lives.
Negligence behind the wheel of a car can lead to severe crashes. Negligence behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound commercial truck is a catastrophe. If you and your family have been subjected to negligence, we want to help you hold all liable parties accountable for their actions without delay.
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Contact Our Skilled Car Accident Attorneys in Houston, Texas Today
If you or someone you love has been injured or lost their life in a vehicle collision on a Texas highway, contact our dedicated Houston personal injury lawyers at the Hollingsworth Law Firm today by calling 713-637-4560 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
If you are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve, so are we. Let us take the lead.
Frequently Asked Questions for Highway Accidents
Determining who is responsible for paying for damages and injuries in a highway accident depends on who was at fault for the accident. If another driver’s negligence caused the accident, they or their insurance company may be responsible for paying for the damages and injuries. In Texas, drivers are required to carry liability insurance to cover damages and injuries they may cause in an accident.
Yes, you may be able to recover damages for lost wages and future medical expenses after a highway accident, as long as you can prove that the accident was the cause of these damages. Along with future medical bills you may be able to get compensation for lost wages if you are still unable to work due to the accident.
It is strongly advised that you do not speak to the other insurance company. The typical goal of an insurance company is to deny claims or give out the minimum payout. Your words may be manipulated into a way that finds you at fault. Have your Houston personal injury lawyer speak with the insurance company.
You can still recover some damages if you were partially at fault. Texas has comparative negligence, and as long as you were not found more than 51% at fault of the accident you may be able to recover damages. Just note that you will not be able to get full compensation it will be adjusted to how at fault you are found for the accident.
You will need to prove that the other driver was negligent and that is what caused the accident. Ways to help your case is to gather evidence from the scene if you are not too injured. You will also want to obtain a copy of the police report. You will also need to prove that your damages and injuries were caused directly because of this accident.
Yes, you may be able to sue for emotional distress after a highway accident in Texas. Emotional distress is a type of non-economic damage that may be compensable in a personal injury lawsuit. To recover compensation for emotional distress, you must prove that the accident caused you to suffer severe emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other emotional harm. This can be difficult to prove and typically requires the testimony of medical experts and mental health professionals.
You can still file a personal injury case if you were a passenger and injured. As a passenger, you may have a claim against one or both drivers, depending on who was at fault for the accident.
Highway accidents are different due to the speed of the cars, traffic volume, the design of the road and road signs, and the jurisdictions. While it is not always the case, highway accidents tend to have more serious injuries due to the speed of the cars on the road.
Hollingworth Law Firm’s highway accident lawyers are well-versed in wrongful death cases as well. They will be able to help you handle both aspects of the case as once it becomes a wrongful death it can become more complex.
Yes, you should call the police after a highway accident in Texas. According to Texas law, you must immediately report any accident that involves injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more to the nearest law enforcement agency. Failure to report an accident could result in fine or other penalties. Additionally, having a police report can be helpful when filing an insurance claim or if you need to pursue legal action.
