MAIN FACTORS IN TEXAS STATE CAR CRASHES
An auto accident can create a number of unanticipated legal challenges for drivers, particularly when uninsured drivers are involved or when someone is injured and liability is in question. If you have been in any type of auto accident in Austin, knowing who to call for help can make all the difference.
DISTRACTED DRIVER ACCIDENTS
In 2021, Texas witnessed 1,141 fatalities resulting from alcohol-related traffic accidents. By 2022, this figure climbed to 1,163 fatalities, indicating that over a quarter of all traffic accident fatalities in the state that year involved drivers under the influence of alcohol.
ALCOHOL-RELATED VEHICLE CRASHES
Despite the efforts of lawmakers, Texas still has the distinction of the state with the highest number of auto accident injuries and deaths due to intoxicated drivers. According to the TxDOT (2016) a person is killed or injured every 20 minutes by a drunk driver. A Statesman statistical analysis showed a 4% increase in DWI related auto accidents in Austin between June 2015 and February 2016, when compared to the same nine-month time period in the prior years. Another study showed that in 2014, 70,842 Texans were arrested for drunk driving. Of those, 434 were under the age of 18.
HOW TO KEEP YOURSELF AND OTHERS SAFE
- Never drink and drive
- Always choose a designated driver ahead of time
- Call a cab or a friend for a ride
- Spend the night where you are, if possible
WHEN IT COMES TO DRINKING, HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
Whether you realize it or not the effects of alcohol start to impair you from the moment you take your first sip. Several factors such as your gender, body weight, the amount of alcohol consumed, and whether you've eaten or not can affect how your body processes alcohol. Interestingly, even just a couple of beers within an hour can lead to illegal levels of intoxication for individuals. It's worth noting that women and those with small builds tend to reach impairment with a lower intake of alcohol.
In Austin, and in the city specifically, accidents have an impact on causing property damage injuries and sadly even fatalities every year. Data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) clearly indicates that traffic collisions remain a concern when it comes to safety. Despite improvements in vehicle safety features, road infrastructure developments and traffic management strategies, incidents involving cars, trucks, bikes, pedestrians, and motorcycles still occur at a high frequency.
In case an accident occurs unexpectedly, knowing what steps to take to protect yourself and your loved ones becomes absolutely crucial.
- Remain at the crash scene and call the police
- Check on the condition of all people involved in the crash
- Exchange information with other drivers
- Get contact information from witnesses
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
- Get appropriate medical treatment, and keep record of all the details
- Take photos of vehicle damage and any injuries you or others sustained
- Consider hiring a personal injury attorney
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CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY JOE LOPEZ HELPS VICTIMS IN AUTO ACCIDENTS
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, you need an attorney who specializes in matters specifically related to auto accident law. Joe Lopez Law is one of the top personal injury law firms in Austin, Texas and is devoted to representing auto accident victims in the Texas area. He has worked extensively on cases involving injury and wrongful death resulting from auto accidents.
In addition to collisions involving other cars, other types of auto accidents can include
- Distracted or drunk driver collisions
- Large truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
With over 10 years’ experience in bodily injury litigation and auto insurance claims, our office is here to take the stress out of dealing with a car crash off your shoulders. Your health and well-being is important to us and we care about protecting your rights. We know how to deal with insurance companies and work closely with medical providers so that you can get the help you need fast and efficiently.
PEDESTRIAN DEATHS
According to Vision Zero, an organization committed to reducing transportation-related injuries and deaths, an average of 64 people are killed in traffic every year, and for every person killed another three to four are seriously injured. The organization also reports that since 2004, over 700 people have died on roads in Austin and that even more are seriously injured. City of Austin Police Department records show that over 900 were seriously injured between the years of 2007 and 2013, while in 2015, more people died on Austin roads than ever before.
SOME IMPORTANT THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
- Although more than half of the victims were in a vehicle, nearly 30% of fatalities involved pedestrians
- Impairment from drugs or alcohol were factors in 60% of fatal incidents, for both drivers and pedestrians
- About a third of the crashes involved drivers with either a suspended or no driver’s license
- Most of the fatal crashes happened between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.
- Most victims were in their 20s
- Nearly 70% of the victims were men
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT, 2015), the counties with the largest number of fatal crashes include Harris County (1,904), Dallas County (986), Bexar County (822), Tarrant County (690) and Travis County (503).
ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS
According to MADD, Texas leads the nation when it comes to drunk driving deaths. In 2015, 27% of the total number of those killed in traffic related crashes in the state of Texas occurred where a driver was under the influence of alcohol. The majority of DUI/alcohol related crashes were reported between 2:00 am and 3:00 am than any other time. Also, most occurred on Saturday.
Austin Car Accident Lawyer
At the law office of Joe Lopez, all the details will be handled for you so that you don’t have to. Do not delay in contacting us, as some issues may need to be handled immediately. Dealing with insurance companies, car rental companies, repair shops, police, not to mention getting the medical attention you may need, can be overwhelming, especially when serious injury occurs as a result of an auto accident. We understand this and are here to help so that you can focus on recovery.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of an auto accident, do not hesitate to contact Austin personal injury lawyer Joe Lopez. Austin Car Accident Attorney Joe Lopez has years of experience in assisting clients through traumatic injury cases. He understands all too well the pain that comes from losing a loved one in a terrible car accident or experiencing the pain of severe injuries from a car crash. Joe Lopez will work tirelessly to make sure that the responsible party takes responsibility for their actions and pays you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact the Austin office of Joe Lopez Law today for your initial free consultation.