San Antonio is growing. More houses are being built, and more people are moving into the city. But more people means more traffic – and residents in one Far West Side neighborhood say that at the intersection of High Branch and Galm Road, that’s becoming a big problem.
“This intersection is very dangerous. We’ve had a lot of accidents here, but we also have trouble with this many people coming through our neighborhood,” said Shaunette Schott, who has lived in The Highlands subdivision of Remuda Ranch since 2018.
Schott said there wasn’t nearly as much traffic as when she moved in.
“Traffic out here felt a little more rural. It wasn’t as busy and congested as it is now,” she said.
Now that there are several other subdivisions and construction on Culebra Road, drivers are cutting through The Highlands, creating a dangerous situation at the intersection.
Process Under Way to Install a Traffic Light
Neighborhood residents reached out to the city and county about the problem, resulting in the launch of a traffic study.
“We collected data that looked at how many vehicles were on Galm Road and how many vehicles were exiting on High Branch as well as the crash history there,” said Marc Jacobson, the transportation systems management and operations program manager for the City of San Antonio Public Works.
The neighborhood traffic calming request process has gone through several steps, and funding is now being sought for what will likely be a traffic light at the intersection.
“So we hope to have that going as quickly as possible. And then it’ll be, you know, about 18 months from once we get started,” Jacobson said.
Common Types of Intersection Accidents
Intersections with heavy congestion often see a rise in several types of car accidents, including:
T-Bone Collisions
These crashes occur when one vehicle crashes into the side of another. They are often caused by drivers running red lights or stop signs, misjudging gaps in traffic, or failing to yield the right-of-way. Due to the lack of side-impact protection in many vehicles, these collisions often result in severe injuries.
Rear-End Accidents
Sudden stops at congested intersections increase the risk of rear-end accidents. These crashes frequently occur when distracted drivers fail to notice stopped or slowing vehicles ahead. While many rear-end collisions cause whiplash or minor injuries, high-speed impacts can be much more dangerous.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents
With more vehicles passing through residential neighborhoods, pedestrians and cyclists are at greater risk of being struck by inattentive or speeding drivers. Poor visibility, lack of crosswalks, and high-speed turns increase the risk of an accident.
Sideswipe Accidents
These occur when vehicles traveling parallel to each other collide, often due to drivers making unsafe lane changes or merging improperly at busy intersections. These crashes can push one vehicle off the road or into oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of serious injuries.
The Herrera Law Firm Can Help You After an Intersection Accident
San Antonio’s rapid growth has led to more dangerous roads, and even cautious drivers can be involved in an accident that leaves them with serious injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident at a dangerous intersection, you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone.
At The Herrera Law Firm, we help accident victims in San Antonio, Bexar County, and across Texas hold negligent drivers accountable. Whether you’ve been rear-ended by a distracted driver or T-boned at a busy intersection, our experienced attorneys can investigate your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our legal team has been protecting the rights of San Antonio accident victims for years, helping recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Don't wait – contact The Herrera Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about your potential legal options.
