Where Do Car Accidents Most Occur in San Antonio?

Located in the heart of Texas, not only is San Antonio the seventh most populous city in the United States, but it also has an enormous tourism industry. People flock to this city to see its famous River Walk, the Alamo, and many other historical and cultural sites.

The Greater San Antonio Metropolitan Area is the 24th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. and the third-largest in Texas. In addition to tourism, people might want to live in this area due to the military, health care, government—civil service, professional and business services, and oil and gas industries.

With so many people living, working, visiting, and traveling through San Antonio, motor vehicle accidents are sure to happen. Unfortunately, some areas are more prone to accidents than others for various reasons such as poor design or overwhelming use. No matter where your San Antonio car accident occurred, it’s imperative that you contact a seasoned Texas car accident lawyer as soon as possible to help maximize your claim compensation.​

Risky Intersections

According to TxDOT, Other high-risk intersections in San Antonio include:

• Highway 151 and Loop 410 saw 65 crashes, more than half with injuries, in one year.
• Bandera Road and Loop 1604 have seen rapid development in recent years leading to exponential traffic increases and causing more accidents. In a recent year, 51 accidents occurred at this point, causing 37 injuries.
• Loop 410 and San Pedro Avenue had 52 crashes and 32 injuries last year. Unfortunately, this is only one of the many risky intersections along Loop 410.
• I-10 and Loop 1604 had 60 motor vehicle accidents, 26 injuries, and three suspected severe injuries in just one year. A prior three-year period saw 215 accidents with 152 injuries and one death. Drunk driving, construction, and increased traffic in this area contribute to rising accidents.
• Loop 410 at Rigsby Avenue saw 145 accidents in three years with 66 injuries. Last year, there were 52 reported crashes here, with 28 of them causing injuries.
• Loop 410 and Marbach Road had 51 accidents, 19 of which had injuries in a year.
• Ingram Road and Loop 410 experienced an average of 70 accidents each year over a recent three-year time. However, there were only 35 accidents at this intersection last year, 18 causing injuries.
• Culebra Road and Loop 410 saw 38 accidents resulting in injuries last year.
• Interstate 10 at Wurzbach Road had 39 crashes causing 14 injuries last year.​

Dangerous Roads

Sometimes it’s not specifically intersections but entire roads that are dangerous for motorists in and around San Antonio, Texas.

The most dangerous roads include:

• Loop 1604 encircles San Antonio. At approximately 95.6 miles, this four-way highway experiences incredible traffic daily. Many drivers traveling through Bexar County use this road to avoid slower traffic on city roads. As convenient and quick as taking this loop might be, it has also led to numerous severe motor vehicle accidents. Sadly, it’s common to hear about fatal accidents on this road.
• Loop 410, also known as Interstate 410, is one of the most dangerous in San Antonio. Countless people use this stretch of road daily to commute to school, work, or bypass downtown San Antonio. Unfortunately, many severe but avoidable car accidents happen on Loop 410. Speeding, driving while under the influence, and semi-trucks failing to clear their blind zone are frequent causes of accidents on this road.
• Interstate 10 also sees thousands of vehicles daily. This popular roadway connects motorists to many attractions and businesses. Still, it can also cause drivers to be distracted when looking for their destination or an exit ramp. The most dangerous parts of I-10 are where it intersects with other highly trafficked roadways, such as I-35 and loop 1604.​

Why Do Most Motor Vehicle Accidents Happen at Intersections?

Intersections allow numerous vehicles traveling in different directions to reach their destinations easily. However, accidents will happen with so many motorists using the same small general area simultaneously but all going in different directions.

The danger only increases when motorists don’t obey the law by exceeding the speed limit and ignoring traffic lights and stop signs. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), driver error causes 96 percent of intersection accidents, creating a complex traffic situation.​

What Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents are the Most Common in San Antonio?

The most common types of motor vehicle accidents that can lead to car accident claims filed include:

• Head-on collisions: Head-on collisions occur when the front end of one vehicle collides with the front end of another. This often occurs due to intoxicated, tired, or distracted driving. However, these crashes can also happen if the driver experiences a medical emergency like a heart attack or seizure.
• Multi-vehicle accidents: Multiple vehicle accidents often occur on busy or crowded highways or freeways. Determining who caused the accident can be challenging, and multiple drivers are often partially liable for the crash.
• Intersection accidents: Not yielding the proper right-of-way, ignoring traffic signals or signs, and improper turns can cause an intersection accident. Intersection accidents frequently happen due to aggressive driving, such as when one driver speeds up to try to “make” the light.
• Sideswipe accidents: Sometimes, two vehicles travel in the same direction parallel to each other when their sides collide. If neither motorists lose control of their vehicle, this type of accident may only result in minor injuries or property damage. However, more severe injuries and property damage might occur if one or both drivers lose control of their vehicles.
• Rear-end accidents: A rear-end crash happens when the front end of one vehicle hits the rear end of another vehicle. In this type of accident, the driver in the rear vehicle is almost always at fault. Tailgating is typically the reason for this type of accident or not leaving enough space between vehicles in poor weather or conditions.
• Rollover accidents: A rollover crash can happen if the driver turns the steering wheel sharply and suddenly to avoid hitting an obstacle on the road. Usually, rollover accidents are single-vehicle crashes but may involve vehicles if the driver swerves to avoid another person’s actions, such as a car traveling the wrong way down a traffic lane.
• T-bone accidents: Also called side-impact accidents, these types of crashes happen when the front of one car strikes the side of another. This often happens because a driver fails to yield to another at an intersection, but t-bone accidents can also occur in parking lots.
• Hit-and-run accidents: Motorists causing hit-and-run accidents often flee the scene because they are afraid of getting into trouble with the law. For example, they may be committing crimes like driving while intoxicated, driving without a valid license, or stealing a vehicle when the crash occurs. These cases present unique challenges. However, it’s sometimes possible to find the driver using details such as the make and model of the vehicle or the license plate number.
• Road construction accidents: Construction zones are often confusing to navigate because of their unpredictability. Not paying attention to cones and signs, not noticing stopped vehicles, and improperly merging are just a few of the errors that can cause accidents within construction zones.​

5. Frequent Causes of San Antonio Car Accidents

San Antonio car accidents can occur for various reasons, with the potential for several different parties to have liability. More often than not, motor vehicle accident liability comes down to driver negligence which can take many forms. All drivers have a legal and ethical obligation to drive in a way that protects others on the road. If they fail to meet this obligation, they are negligent, and others can suffer injuries and damages due to their actions. ​

1. Fatigued/Drowsy Driving

Far too often, drivers get behind the wheel when sleepy. Some have worked night shifts, others have erratic work schedules or have been up with young or sick children, and others may have medical reasons for not sleeping well. Truck drivers are also notorious for drowsy driving due to their job demands.

Recent studies show that driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. A fatigued driver will have increased reaction times and may not notice signs of trouble before it’s too late. ​

2. Intoxicated Driving

It’s not just drunk driving, though it’s a significant concern. These days prescription, legal, or illegal drugs can intoxicate and impair a driver’s judgment. No matter what the substance is, intoxicated driving is a recipe for disaster.

Under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or some medications, drivers cannot perform to the best of their abilities putting everyone around them at risk. Unfortunately, too many drivers don’t care or think they are okay to drive when they are not. ​

3. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of accidents nationwide. There’s more than ever before to distract drivers on the road. From their infotainment systems and phones to their GPS and passengers, drivers always find something more interesting than driving. Unfortunately, distracted driving can cause severe injuries and even death. Drivers need their minds, eyes, and bodies focused on driving to keep everyone safe. ​

4. Vehicle or Part Defects

Sometimes it’s not the negligence of a driver that causes an accident. Instead, it’s the negligence of the vehicle’s manufacturer or a part. Defective parts can cause accidents. Vehicle and parts manufacturers are responsible for ensuring safe products on the market. If they fail to protect consumers, you can hold them accountable for any resulting accidents. ​

5. Municipalities

Cities, counties, states, and other municipalities can also be liable for accidents arising from their negligence. Government entities are responsible if a road has poor design or improper repairs, if it ignores broken traffic signals, or fails to replace signage that contributed to an accident. However, claims against government entities often differ from other claims.

Therefore, seek legal help. For example, these types of claims typically have a shorter statute of limitations or deadline to file a claim. In Texas, you must bring claims against the government within six months of the date of the accident.​

Contact an Experienced Texas Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love was involved in a motor vehicle accident in or around San Antonio or anywhere in Texas, now is the time to contact an attorney for help. An experienced Texas car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve from the negligent party or parties who caused your accident. The sooner you contact an attorney for help, the better your chances of recovering compensation for your injuries and damages.

A car accident attorney can help your claim from start to finish.

Your car accident lawyer can:

• Evaluate whether other parties should be liable for your losses and determine who all those parties are.
• Calculate the value of your past, future, and intangible losses.
• Gather evidence to prove liability and damages in your claim.
• File a comprehensive claim with all necessary insurance companies.
• Handle all insurance communications and negotiations.
• Advise you whether a settlement offer is adequate or you should negotiate for more.
• If you cannot reach a settlement, file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.

All of these services are invaluable when you are dealing with injuries. Reach out for a free consultation today.

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