Traffic Deaths Continue to Rise in Texas

It seems that every other day there is another traffic accident in Texas resulting in serious injuries or death. Recently, four individuals were seriously hurt in a Travis County two-vehicle collision. In another crash in Coffee City, one person was killed, and another sustained injuries.

The wreck in Travis County happened on FM 812 at approximately 7:30 p.m. in the 15800 block near Circuit of the Americas. According to reports, two vehicles collided, sending one of them into a nearby fence. A child with life-threatening injuries was sent to Dell Children’s Medical Center in critical condition. A second child and two adults sustained minor injuries.

In Coffee City, one was killed and another person injured in a head-on collision that happened about 2:30 a.m. in the 7700 block of Highway 155. One driver lost control of their vehicle when a spare tire failed, sending the car into oncoming traffic. The vehicle hit a green pickup truck head-on. The driver of the truck was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver was transported to a nearby hospital for medical care. 

Why Automobile Accidents Happen

There are many reasons why accidents happen, and they can include:

• Speeding
• Driving while distracted
• Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
• Disobeying the rules of the road
• Running red lights or other traffic signals/signs
• Driving while fatigued
• Tailgating
• Defective vehicle
• Poor road conditions
• Poorly designed roads
• Improperly maintained roads
• Self-driving vehicle error
• Improperly changing lanes
• Road rage

One interesting dynamic is that driving habits changed during the pandemic. While traffic decreased significantly as folks stayed home, the number of serious car wrecks went up. The general theory for this was that, with less traffic, it was easier for drivers to speed and otherwise drive aggressively. Unfortunately, as traffic comes back to pre-pandemic levels, people continue to drive with their pandemic-established habits, raising the risk of even more car wrecks.

Schuelke Law Encourages Drivers to Always Be On The Alert

We often hear the plea, “Drive safely and take care out there.” While it can be taken to heart by a driver and followed with due care and attention to driving, this is not always the case for other drivers on the road. “While many drivers are careful, cautious, and alert, and do drive safely, there are those that just drive however they see fit. Those are the ones that often cause crashes,” said Austin automobile accident attorney Brooks Schuelke.

For those who have been involved in a crash with another driver and who have been injured or killed, seek the help of a skilled personal injury attorney to find out what legal rights are in play and how to file a compensation claim.