Statistical data compiled by the Texas Department of Transportation (DOT) indicates that Houston is the city that consistently has the most total car accidents and the most fatal and injurious vehicle accidents annually. In 2011, there were 177 fatal crashes, 4,252 serious injury crashes, and a grand total of 38,538 crashes. These statistics mean that Houston not only surpasses, but far surpasses the car accident rates of most other cities in the state of Texas. What is the reason for such a high accident rate?
Since most car accidents are avoidable, the number one cause of motor vehicle accidents is driver negligence. Most car accidents occur because a driver was not paying attention or they were driving contrary to the laws of the road. While this is the overarching cause of most car accidents, there are many other more specific reasons why motorists are involved in collisions. One of the most common is driver distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is anything that takes a driver's mind, eyes or hands off of the situation at hand.
Another common contributing factor to accidents in the Houston area is the busy roads and interstates. Houston is at the top of the list for having some of the world's most complicated interchange and highway systems. With roads sometimes spanning more than four lanes wide, accidents are more likely to occur than on rural or suburban roads. Houston is a busy metropolitan area, and those types of areas are statistically more prone to accidents.
Speeding drivers, according to the Texas DOT, are a major cause of all traffic fatalities on Houston and other Texas roads and highways. Speeding is a type of aggressive driving practice, commonly a contributing factor to not only accidents, but accidents with serious consequences. Other types of aggressive driving include tailgating and road rage. Sadly enough, the most common cause of fatal crashes in Texas is driving under the influence of alcohol. In 2011, there were 327 of these accidents.
When a driver fails to adhere to traffic laws, they may be issued a citation, but the victims of these accidents can also take civil action against them in order to recover financial compensation for injuries and other damages. If you reside in Houston or were involved in a car accident in the area, then consult with a personal injury attorney in your area for the best advice concerning the steps that you may be able to take toward financial compensation.
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