Car accidents can happen for countless reasons. Sometimes, you may cause a car accident, and at other times, a purely accidental and unavoidable circumstance may occur.
But what about when another driver acts in a careless and negligent manner, and the resulting car crash suddenly changes your life?
No matter what causes your car accident, it is PARAMOUNT to discuss your legal rights with a lawyer who understands how car accidents work in Houston. The attorneys and legal professionals at Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, have more than 20 years’ experience and have handled THOUSANDS of car accident cases involving many different causes and circumstances. With our experience we can evaluate your claim and will leave no stone unturned in order to work your case to the fullest extent!
Trying to handle your insurance claim on your own will delay the process and result in much less compensation for your medical and in pocket payment than you deserve. We have experience with car insurance companies—and we know how to PROTECT your rights! Our consultations are FREE, so call us right now at 1-800-898-4877 or contact us by clicking HERE to discuss your case today.
Reported Causes of Crashes
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) carefully compiles research about the causes of car accidents in our great state so that we can better understand the primary causes of crashes. The following are some of the most common causes of accidents across Texas and the number that happened during one recent year:
- Failure to control speed - 146,884
- Driver inattention - 96,847
- Failure to yield (in various circumstances) - 95,054
- Failure to stay in a lane - 39,033
- Unsafe lane changes - 37,523
- Ignoring a traffic signal - 33,783
- Driver used alcohol or drugs - 27,401
- Following too closely - 26,954
- Faulty evasive action - 24,327
The above are only the top causes of car accidents, as there are many, many more listed. Other causes can range from an animal in the road to a car fleeing police or driving on the wrong side of the road. For now, let’s take a closer look at the primary causes of crashes.
- Speeding - Speed limits are clearly posted on every major road in Texas. However, some drivers think these limits don’t apply to them. Whether you are on the highway or on a suburban street, you will likely see SOMEONE speeding. Drivers who speed often lose control of their vehicles—on turns, in the rain, or in other conditions—and can cause SERIOUS crashes.
- Distracted driving - We all have passed a car and seen the driver staring down at a phone. Even after Texas passed a texting and driving ban in 2017, drivers continue to text, email, look at social media, or even take selfies behind the wheel! These careless actions can result in dangerous accidents that KILL other motorists. While smartphones are a major cause of distracted driving, a driver can lose focus on the road in many other ways. Taking care of kids, grooming, eating, drinking, looking at a GPS, and many other activities can dangerously distract a driver.
- Failure to yield - In many situations on the road, a driver should yield to another car—at intersections, making right turns on red, when merging, and more. Unfortunately, drivers who rush or drive distracted can fail to properly yield—which often leads to crashes and serious injuries. An oncoming driver expects the other car to yield often doesn’t have time to react fast enough to prevent the accident. That’s when people can end up hospitalized—or worse.
- Departing a lane - Lanes are clearly marked on most Texas roads and highways—perhaps with the exception of some rural roads or small neighborhoods. Drivers should pay close attention to the road to stay in their lane—anytime a driver leaves their lane, they risk hitting an oncoming car. This can cause a head-on crash—a type of accident that often produces the WORST injuries a person can sustain on the road. Common causes of lane departure include distracted driving, drunk driving, and fatigued driving.
- Unsafe lane changes - Drivers often make unsafe lane changes when they drive aggressively or distracted. Aggressive drivers may try to weave in and out of traffic, squeezing into small spaces, or cutting off other drivers to get where they are going in an attempt to be faster than everyone else.
Proving the Cause of Your Accident
Determining the cause of your car accident is only the first step—then you must PROVE that another driver was negligent to that driver’s insurance company. If the driver falls drunk out of the car after a crash, you may have an obvious negligence case. In other situations, an insurance company can argue against liability—and you’ll need to present evidence to support your claim.
NEVER try to handle the insurance process alone. Adjusters are trained and PAID to know how to take advantage of car accident victims and trick them in order to avoid liability. Adjusters will NEVER speak to you in a straightforward way about what they need for their claim—you should have a lawyer handling your claim who has YOUR BEST INTEREST at heart. Anyone injured by another driver deserves to get full compensation for their losses—whether from an insurance settlement or a personal injury lawsuit. You need the RIGHT law firm on your side as soon as possible—no matter the cause of your crash.
Our Houston Car Accident Lawyers are Here to FIGHT for Your RIGHTS
The attorneys of Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, are nationally recognized car accident lawyers who stand up for the rights of injured Texans—and have done so for more than 20 years! After an injury from a crash, don’t wait to call our office right away to schedule a free consultation. Because we take all of our personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis, you will not owe us a DIME unless we win your case! To schedule your free consultation, call us today at (800) 898-4877 or contact us now by clicking HERE.