Car accidents are a fact of life, but some areas get hit harder than others. In the state of Texas, Austin happens to be home to some of the most accidents.
In fact, this city has streets that are some of the most dangerous in the country for drivers. But what makes Austin such a potentially dangerous area for drivers?
Consider the points below to learn about why Austin is home to so many car and truck accidents.
Austin is Home to Some of the Most Deadliest Roads in the State
One of the reasons that Austin has a lot of car accidents is that it’s home to some of Texas’ most treacherous roads.
United States 290 and Interstate 35, both of which extend through Austin, experience several accidents each year. Texas is a state that several people pass through, so these roads get packed with high volumes of vehicles at any given time of the year.
They are especially packed on holiday weekends and other peak travel days.
It Gets a Lot of Semi-Truck Traffic
Not only does Austin get a lot of car traffic, but it also gets a high amount of semi-truck traffic. Semi-trucks are more prone to accidents for a number of reasons.
For one, these vehicles weigh 35,000 pounds or more and carry several pounds of freight. The professionals that drive these trucks travel long hours and sometimes fall asleep while driving, or drive while road weary.
This alone increases the likelihood of serious wrecks. What’s more, some truck drivers are poorly trained and may not be able to control their vehicles.
What’s more, not every truck driver takes great care of their automobile. Failing to maintain a semi-truck puts themselves and others at risk when traveling at high speeds.
The State is Home to Several Fatal Accidents
The state of Texas recently experienced a stunning 19-year streak of never having a single day go by without a fatal car accident.
These numbers alone make the likelihood of getting into an accident greater when you’re traveling. Austin is virtually in the center of Texas, so you are more likely to get into a wreck on one of these streets.
There Are a Lot of Young and Inexperienced Drivers
There are two attributes that contribute to vehicle wrecks — youth and inexperience. Austin has a younger population, so the likelihood of wrecks also goes up.
The city has 18 colleges and universities, which account for several young and inexperienced drivers. What’s more, several accidents happen due to driving under the influence (DUI). Colleges all over have young drivers that take the risk of drinking and driving, which puts them and others at risk when on the road.
Distracted Driving is on the Rise
The evolution of technology has made people more dependent on their mobile devices. This has led to an increase of people texting and driving, which is an incredibly dangerous practice.
Close to 3,000 people in a single year died from distracted driving. People of all ages take this risk when they drive.
Big Trucks Lead to Blindspots
Since there are more trucks on the road in Austin, there are more blind spots on the road. Trucks have huge blind spots, so drivers changing lanes might accidentally cut it too close.
Many drivers outfit their semi-trucks with larger mirrors to account for these blind spots. When they fail to upgrade to these mirrors, or they don’t double-check their blindspots, it becomes easy to strike another vehicle or otherwise create accidents.
Drivers Often Follow Too Closely
Another mistake people make is following too closely. Both truck drivers and drivers in cars are guilty of this. When traffic comes to a standstill in Austin, people are forced to slam on the brakes and then are not able to stop in time to avoid a wreck.
This can lead to serious vehicle damage and injuries in the form of whiplash, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, and cranial injuries.
Rush hour in Austin typically happens around 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. for the morning commute, and between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. for the evening commuters. You can always expect accidents to go up during these hours due to drivers slamming on brakes due to starting and stopping.
You should always give people plenty of space so that you don’t run this risk. Don’t wait until you see brake lights to begin thinking about stopping. Always remain defensive when you drive and maintain a feel for how others are driving.
Drivers need to keep their vehicles up to par as well so that they don’t skid due to improper brakes. Get your vehicle inspected at least once per year to make sure that it’s road-ready and in tip-top shape.
Get Legal Representation For Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are unfortunately a fact of life in Austin and Texas as a whole. If you live and work in this city you need to be aware of these risks so that you’re able to drive defensively and protect your well-being.
You should also reach out to legal professionals whenever you do happen to get into a wreck. At Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers, we help clients of all types who find themselves in this situation.
Whether you’re dealing with bounce back from car accidents or truck accidents, we would be happy to assist you.
Take the time to contact us online to learn more about how we can help you, or call or text us at 800-474-1233.