You see them every day on the roads of Texas: dangerous drivers. It could be someone speeding on Interstate 35, Highway 83, Route 59 or Texas State Highway 359. It could be the person who runs a red light in Laredo. It could be the motorist driving erratically in Webb County because they are either drunk or texting - it really does not matter which, because both pose a risk to your safety.
How safe is Texas for drivers?
A new report from WalletHub, "2018's Safest States to Live In," underscores the hazards faced by Lone Star State drivers. It ranks Texas as 43rd in the nation in terms of "Road Safety."
The report takes into account:
- "Traffic Indiscipline," which includes behavior such as phone use, speeding, aggressive acceleration, harsh braking and poor turning.
- Fatalities per 100 Million Vehicle Miles of Travel.
- Pedestrian and Pedalcyclist Fatality Rate per Capita.
- Road Quality.
- Driving Laws Rating.
Furthermore, according to Texas Department of Transportation statistics:
- 3,773 people died on the state's roadways in 2016, compared to 3,578 in 2015. That's a one-year increase of 5.45 percent.
- In Laredo, traffic fatalities jumped from 12 in 2015 to 21 in 2016, while the number of overall traffic accidents rose from 5,674 to 5,982. That's an increase in accidents of 5.42 percent.
The numbers clearly show that Texans are taking a risk every time they travel by motor vehicle. Unfortunately, through no fault of your own, you can become another accident statistic. You can follow all the rules of the road, both written and unwritten. But if another driver suddenly switches lanes without signaling, rear-ends your vehicle because they are following too closely or are paying more attention to their phone than the road, your world can be turned upside down in an instant of crunching metal and broken glass.
The consequences of a crash last a long time. We can help.
As a result of the accident, you could be suffering from major injuries, unable to work and provide for your family. At the same time, medical bills are piling up while you squabble with insurance companies that try to take advantage of your desperation by making a low-ball financial offer that looks good at first glance but falls far short of what you will eventually need and legally deserve. At worst, you are grieving for the loss of a loved one due to someone else's carelessness.
Instead of giving into the pressure of feeling helpless, contact personal injury attorney John R. Solis. We've been representing people just like you in Laredo, the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio and across Texas since 2000. Fluent in both English and Spanish, we handle all the details - dealing with legal paperwork, doctors, insurance companies, body shops and the like - while you focus your attention on putting your life back together.