The numbers are clear: speeding kills.
Speeding-related crash fatalities in San Antonio increased in 2022 despite a decrease in the number of collisions caused by speeding drivers in the city, according to car accident data compiled by the Texas Department of Transportation (Texas DOT).
"We've seen way too many lives lost in crashes caused by excessive speed," said Laura Lopez, a public information officer for TxDOT who oversees the San Antonio district, in a recent interview with San Antonio Report. "It is a top contributing factor in traffic crashes in Texas."
In the face of these alarming statistics and the ever-present dangers of speeding-related accidents on San Antonio roads, the importance of seeking legal help after a serious crash cannot be overstated. At The Herrera Law Firm, our San Antonio car accident lawyers can fight for the justice and financial compensation you deserve if you or a loved one has been injured due to the reckless actions of another driver. Contact us today to see how we can help you.
San Antonio crash statistics: speeding
In 2022, there were 115 car accident fatalities and 446 serious injuries due to speeding in the San Antonio area. The death toll last year was 5.5 percent higher compared to 2021 for the San Antonio area, which includes the following Texas counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, McMullen, Medina, Uvalde and Wilson.
However, the total number of car accidents in San Antonio last year due to speeding was 2.8 percent less compared to 2021. Last year, there were 7,996 car accidents in San Antonio due to speeding, compared to 8,158 in 2021.
Speeding is a top cause of car accidents
If the number of speeding-related accidents decreased in San Antonio, why did speeding-related fatalities increase last year? According to Texas DOT officials, "As drivers got back to a more regular traffic pattern after the COVID-19 pandemic, not wearing seatbelts and losing control of a vehicle while speeding contributed" to the high number of speeding deaths, according to San Antonio Report.
San Antonio isn't the only place where speeding has been a problem in Texas. Statewide, speeding continues to be one of Texas's leading causes of traffic fatalities. In 2022, a total of 1,469 people died in speeding accidents last year in Texas, according to San Antonio Report.
Last year's death toll due to speeding accidents in Texas was lower than in 2021, when 1,568 people died in such accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Then again, according to San Antonio Report, 2021 was the deadliest year on Texas roads in terms of car accident fatalities since 1981.
Addressing the problem
Officials in San Antonio and across Texas are taking several steps to prevent accidents caused by speeding drivers. Such steps include:
- Public education campaigns about the dangers of speeding, including "Be Safe. Drive Smart" this summer.
- More local and state enforcement officials on the road.
- Police issuing more speeding tickets to drivers.
- Increased enforcement of drunk driving, which often goes hand-in-hand with speeding.
Our San Antonio car accident lawyers fight for crash victims
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident in San Antonio might appear straightforward at first. However, it's essential to understand that many car accident injury claims evolve into complex legal cases. This complexity often arises from speeding drivers denying any wrongdoing, frequently supported by their insurance companies in an effort to reject your injury claim. Remember, to an insurance company, your claim is just a threat to their bottom line.
At The Herrera Law Firm, our San Antonio car accident attorneys have extensive experience handling complex cases built upon years of dedicated service to crash victims and their loved ones. With our highly skilled legal team in your corner, you not only pursue the compensation you deserve but can also direct your focus where it truly matters – your recovery.
Get the law firm that gets results for injured Texans. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation. Our office is located on West Commerce Street in San Antonio and we handle car accident claims throughout Texas. We also work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fees unless we win your case.
