Every day in Texas, motor vehicle crashes that result in a fatality occur on Texas highways, especially in rural areas. This is an ongoing area of concern for authorities, and there are many different opinions regarding the best way to combat this ongoing issue. In many cases, fatal accidents throughout the state are the result of negligent or reckless actions, but there are some who believe that road conditions could play a role in some of these incidents.
In urban areas, most roads have lighting, guardrails and clear markings, and there is typically reliable cell phone service. This is not the case in many rural areas. Drivers must practice extreme caution when driving in these parts of the state as even one second of distraction, recklessness or other mistake could have fatal consequences for the driver, as well as anyone else on the road at the time.
Fatal Texas accident facts
Emergency service providers speak to the difficulty of responding to crashes in rural areas. There may not be sufficient phone service to communicate with the nearest hospital, and lack of shoulders on the roads can make it difficult to reach crashed vehicles. According to statistics, crashes in rural areas accounted for 51% of all fatal accidents in the state in 2021. However, only about 10% of the total population lives in these areas. Rural areas often have smaller police departments and fewer resources for those who may be hurt.
Two factors that may make fatal accidents more prevalent on rural roads are driving too fast and lack of seatbelt use. Even small increments of speed can affect the likelihood of fatal accidents, the effectiveness of safety equipment and the ability to control the vehicle. In Texas, speed limits on interstates are often higher than in other states, and some believe that this has contributed to higher speeds on all roads.
An ongoing problem
If you have suffered injuries in an accident, you may be the victim of factors that are beyond your control. Regardless of where the collision took place, issues such as poor road conditions, the actions of other drivers and more may have contributed to what happened to you. It is worthwhile to seek an assessment of your accident case to determine if you have legal options, including the possibility of seeking compensation through a civil claim.