Car Accidents Do Not Discriminate
Car accidents do not discriminate against victims. Anyone can be hurt while on the road at any time. You could be injured in a crash when you least expect it like one Texas state representative from The Woodlands. He sustained minor injuries in a head-on crash with a cement truck when he was headed to the Capitol building on March 28. The accident occurred at the intersection of South First and West Mary in Austin, causing considerable damage to his vehicle. The lawmaker managed to suffer only scrapes and bruises and was released from the hospital the next day. As of the day of the accident, no citations had been issued.
Crash Statistics for Austin
According to the Department of Texas’ latest crash figures for 2015, Austin experienced 14,168 crashes resulting in 105 fatalities. There were also 490 incapacitating injuries and 4,045 non-incapacitating injuries, like those suffered by the state representative. Considering the population and traffic in Austin, the high numbers of crashes, injuries, and fatalities are not surprising. However, it is not the city with the most collisions, injuries, or traffic-related deaths. Dallas witnessed 31,094 crashes resulting in 173 fatalities. San Antonio had 42,472 crashes that caused 152 fatalities. Houston had 66,319 crashes with 203 fatalities.
Head-on Collisions are Particularly Dangerous
Head-on crashes are especially dangerous and often lead to serious injuries and fatalities. Due to the force of a head-on collision, drivers and passengers are thrown forward. Without an airbag, drivers and passengers can come into contact with the dashboard and seats in front of them, likely causing traumatic head injuries. If people are not buckled in, they may be thrown from the vehicle. Even when airbags deploy, the drivers and passengers could suffer head injuries, lacerations, facial fractures, and burns.
The frontal impact can also lead to spinal injuries, organ damages, and internal bleeding. It is crucial that individuals in serious head-on collisions see a physician as soon as possible afterward. Individuals have been known to walk away from accidents believing their pain is from the seatbelt, only days later to find out they suffered significant injuries that require immediate medical attention.
Recovering Compensation after a Crash in Austin
If you were injured in an accident in Austin, your best chance of recovering the maximum compensation for your injuries is to work with an experienced New Braunfels personal injury lawyer from The Bettersworth Law Firm. To recover damages through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you must prove the other driver was negligent. This means that the other driver had a duty toward you and breached that duty. All drivers had a duty toward one another to obey the rules of the road and not create hazardous conditions. You and your attorney simply must prove the driver failed to uphold this basic responsibility. The driver may have done that by speeding, running a red light, or driving the wrong way down a one-way street. You will also need to establish your injuries, physical pain, and mental suffering to recover compensation. An attorney can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and help you prove your case to an insurer or in court.
Sources:
http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Keough-hospitalized-in-car-crash-on-his-way-to-11033573.php
http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2015/13.pdf
