Learn how traffic congestion often leads to collisions
San Antonio drivers on the east side of the city can expect long-term closures involving parts of I-410 for at least a year, forcing drivers to seek an alternative route to access this major San Antonio highway, according to MySA.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the southbound I-410 entrance ramp at East Houston Street will be closed until next summer. Southbound drivers trying to access I-410 will need to use the Rigsby Avenue entrance.
TxDOT insists that highway traffic will not be affected by the construction project. However, highway construction work often results in traffic, which goes hand-in-hand with car accidents. A San Antonio attorney at The Herrera Law Firm explains what drivers need to know.
Can heavy traffic lead to more auto accidents?
The short answer? Yes. Anytime there are more vehicles on the same road, the likelihood of a car crash increases due to traffic congestion. Often, this is because some impatient, aggressive drivers don't follow the rules of the road and cause collisions.
You know the type of driver we're talking about – the one who weaves in and out of traffic, cuts off other drivers, or races up the breakdown lane on the side of the road. Whether it's rush-hour traffic or bumper-to-bumper congestion due to road work, car accidents caused by heavy traffic can wreak havoc on people's lives.
Top crash types linked to traffic congestion
There are certain types of car accidents often associated with heavy traffic congestion, including:
- Rear-end accidents, especially on highways when there's heavy traffic.
- High-speed collisions, especially when a speeding driver approaches heavy traffic and crashes into stopped vehicles on the road.
- Distracted driving accidents, especially collisions caused by texting drivers not paying attention to other vehicles traveling close together.
- Road construction accidents, which often occur due to congestion, changing traffic patterns, fewer driving lanes, sudden decreases in speed limits and other unexpected changes.
- Intersection accidents, especially when impatient drivers race around other cars and T-bone the side of another vehicle driving through an intersection.
Common injuries from car accidents in heavy traffic
Heavy traffic can lead to serious accidents and equally serious injuries. Some of the most common include:
- Head injuries like concussions, often caused by striking the interior of the vehicle.
- Fractures in areas such as the face, hands, arms, and legs.
- Neck injuries like whiplash, resulting from the sudden jolt of a collision.
- Internal injuries, including organ damage or internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening.
Why having a car accident lawyer matters after a crash
In San Antonio, car accidents caused by traffic congestion might seem like open-and-shut cases. After all, if another driver caused the crash, their insurance should cover your expenses, right? Unfortunately, that's not always how it works in Texas.
Insurance companies often go out of their way to deny your claim and avoid paying what you deserve. At The Herrera Law Firm, our San Antonio car accident lawyers know exactly how to handle tough insurance adjusters and complex claims.
When you've been injured in an accident that was someone else's fault, you deserve a law firm that prioritizes your needs. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation. From our office on West Commerce Street in San Antonio, we handle car accident claims throughout Texas. And remember, we work on a contingency fee basis, so you won't pay unless we win your case.
