Highways are a critical part of the infrastructure in Austin, throughout Texas, and across the nation. Highways offer fast routes for daily work commutes, travel, and commercial freight carrying. Unfortunately, they are also the location of some of the deadliest car accidents. Being involved in an accident on a high-speed highway with multiple lanes of moving traffic is a terrifying and traumatic experience, sometimes ending in serious or catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident on an Austin highway, it’s important to understand the consequences, the availability of Austin car accident compensation, and your rights under the comparative negligence insurance system in Texas.
The Dangers of Highway Accidents In Austin and Elsewhere
Car accidents are more common in intersections and busy urban areas than on major highways; however, highway accidents tend to have more serious injuries and higher fatality numbers. This is due to the higher speed of traffic allowed on major highways. The higher the speed, the longer the stopping time and the slower the reaction time when a problem occurs. In addition, higher-speed accidents have more serious injuries due to increased crash force. According to crash force calculations, a 140-pound person in a car accident at 35 miles per hour becomes a 3,900-pound force. That same person in an accident at 65 miles per hour on a major highway becomes a 9,100-pound force. Even with the protection of a seatbelt and airbags, the more substantial crash force causes devastating trauma to the body as the seatbelt snaps the motorist back against the seat—often at the same time that the structure of the vehicle collapses inward.
Injuries in Highway Accidents In Austin
A car accident on a major highway in Austin or elsewhere has grave consequences for those involved. Common injuries in Austin highway accidents include the following:
- Fractures
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ injuries
- Burns
- Lacerations, contusions, and abrasions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries to shoulders, knees, ankles, and wrists
- Facial trauma
Sadly, a significant number of highway accidents in Austin end in fatalities. If a loved one suffered fatal injuries in a highway accident caused by another driver’s negligence, their family could recover compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Common Causes of Highway Accidents In Texas
An Austin personal injury victim seeking compensation for damages like medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering must file a claim against the driver who caused the accident. Most highway accidents in Austin result from driver negligence. Common causes of car accidents on highways include the following:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Aggressive driving
- Tailgating
- Improper merging
- Impaired driving
How Can a Highway Accident Attorney In Austin Help?
No one should have to navigate the legalities of a complex Texas car accident claim while also dealing with serious injuries, the trauma of an accident, and sometimes the tragic death of a loved one. Instead, call the experienced Austin highway accident lawyers at Shaw Cowart LLP to maximize your chances of obtaining fair compensation so you can focus on healing and moving forward.