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Car Accidents in Houston, Texas

Car accidents are very common in Houston, Texas, for various reasons. Most experienced drivers in this city probably know the reasons for these accidents and where they are likely to occur. If you are a new driver here, you need to know the leading causes and the types of accidents in Houston, Texas.

The Main Causes of Accidents in Houston, Texas

According to the Houston Chronicles, Houston experiences the worst cases of traffic fatalities in the country. From 2001 to 2016, it had more accidents per capita among the 12 largest US metropolitan areas. If you’ve recently been involved in a vehicle collision in this city, you can search for the Texas car accident report online. This document is normally requested by insurance companies when filing a claim. Accidents can happen for many different reasons, but the leading causes of accidents in Houston include:

  • Intersection accidents
  • Pedestrian and motorists’ accidents
  • Bicycles and motorists’ accidents
  • Road rage chases accidents.
  • Accidents involving trucks
  • Multiple-fatality accidents
  • Accidents associated with traffic congestion
  • Pedestrians on Interstates
  • Highway accidents
  • Accidents involving speeding
  • Accidents involving drug use

Of all the cases above, this city’s most common causes of accidents are driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, failure to control speed, and pedestrians failing to give way to vehicles. Knowing these causes of accidents allows you to take precautions not to become part of the statistics. Of particular importance is to be on the lookout for pedestrians crossing the road or appearing drunk on the road.

The Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Houston, Texas

In 2019, the Texas Department of Transportation reported over 68,000 motor vehicle crashes. There were 253 fatalities and more than 32,000 injuries. These accidents have resulted in many legal tussles, with many families filing for compensation after losing their loved ones in these accidents. There are a wide variety of accidents in Houston, with the most common types being:

Rear-End Crashes

A rear-end crash can occur when a driver fails to stop in good time to prevent colliding with the front vehicle. This typically happens because of:

In these accidents, the drivers in the front car are likely to suffer from whiplash injuries because their necks and heads will jack forward and quickly revert backward as a result of the impact. If the impact is massive, it can result in brain injuries and spinal cord damage. The driver in the rear vehicle is likely to suffer from secondary accidents. If the front vehicle is large, the driver in the rear vehicle may not make it. Suppose you are involved in a rear-end collision accident. In that case, it’s best to talk to a Houston car accident lawyer to determine the cause of the accident and determine whether you can be compensated.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are among the most fatal accidents in the US. In these accidents, one vehicle’s front end crashed into the other’s front end. The leading causes of head-on collisions include:

  • Turning errors
  • Failure to read the road signs
  • Drifting aimlessly on the road
  • Drugged or drunk driving
  • Distracted driving

Head-on collisions can be especially fatal if the car occupants aren’t wearing seat belts. You must remember to buckle up when in a car and remind your passengers to do the same.

Side-Impact Collision

Side-impact collisions are also known as “T-bone” accidents. This accident is most common in intersections when two vehicles collide at right angles. The seriousness of this accident will depend on the positions of the passengers. Side-impact accidents mainly result from:

  • Failure by the driver to adjust for adverse weather conditions
  • Failure to stop at the yield sign, stop sign, or red light
  • Driver intoxication
  • Excess speed
  • Driver distraction or inattention at an intersection

Generally, the sides of vehicles aren’t designed to withstand high impacts, meaning side-impact collisions can result in unbearable trauma to the back, neck, and head. Sometimes, the victim’s body can get stuck in the car. To avoid this type of accident, take note of the causes listed above and try to avoid them as much as possible. Also, be careful when approaching an intersection because the other driver may hit you on the side.

Sideswipe Accidents

A sideswipe accident differs from a “T-bone” accident in that, in a sideswipe accident, the sides of two vehicles come into contact with each other. These accidents mainly result from:

  • Errors when vehicles are changing lanes
  • Drive inattention
  • Speeding

Among these causes, changing lanes unsafely is the most common. Those most likely to suffer are passengers on the side of the vehicle that has been hit.

Rollover Accidents

Unless a side-impact collision or a sideswipe accident causes one of the vehicles to roll over, rollover accidents are mostly single-car accidents. In most cases, rollover accidents occur when the driver loses control of the car, especially when the vehicle is moving at high speed. The resulting injuries will depend on the terrain and how many times the car rolls. Rollover accidents may also occur if a vehicle has defects like brake failure.

Multi-Vehicle Accident

multi-vehicle accident
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Multiple-vehicle accidents are very common in Huston, Texas. These accidents involve many vehicles, and most victims are rarely lucky. It may start with just one or two vehicles, and other vehicles may come in. Multiple-vehicle accidents can result in serious injuries, and it’s among the car accidents that most accident lawyers find difficult to tackle. It’s a challenge to determine the liability in such accidents because the geometry and positioning of vehicles change with subsequent impacts. This calls for comprehensive and timely investigations.

Single-Vehicle Accident

Just as the name suggests, a single-vehicle accident involves only one vehicle. It mainly occurs when the driver falls asleep or gets distracted while driving. It can also result from driving at high speeds. Other causes of single-vehicle accidents are:

  • Negligence of the other driver
  • defect in your car
  • defect in the road

Contact a Houston car accident lawyer

Whenever you get involved in an accident, the first step is to contact your car accident lawyer; do not accept liability. You can also take videos or photos to provide evidence. The first and most important thing is seeking medical help for serious injuries. A legal expert will investigate the accident and work hard for you to get compensated. Above all, try to drive safely to avoid accidents.

Featured Image by Andy Kreyche from Pixabay