Injury victims can often receive compensation for car accidents in Texas
Car accidents often occur in Dallas on certain streets and highways. While a wreck can happen anywhere, whether due to heavy traffic or other factors, certain roads and interstates in Dallas have more car crashes than others.
This is why it’s important for drivers in Dallas to know the most dangerous roads and highways in the city, and be prepared to drive especially carefully on those roads. However, even the safest drivers can get hurt in a collision caused by another driver. When that happens, it’s important for injury victims to understand their legal rights.
What are the most dangerous roads in Dallas?
Based on accident data collected by local, state and federal agencies, including the Texas Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), some of the most dangerous roads in Dallas include:
- Grand Avenue, especially near the intersection with North Bruckner Boulevard.
- Singleton Boulevard, especially near the intersection with North Hampton Road.
- Canada Drive, especially near the intersection with North Westmorland Road.
- Mockingbird Lane, especially at the intersection with US Route 75.
- South Marsalis Avenue, especially near the intersection with West Illinois Avenue.
- Bruton Road, especially near the intersection with South Bruckner Boulevard.
- North Masters Drive, especially near the intersection with West Bruton Road.
- Lemmon Ave, especially near the intersection with North Central Expressway.
- Jefferson Boulevard, especially near the intersection with North Hampton Road.
- West Seventh Street, especially near the intersection with North Tyler Street.
What are the most dangerous highways in Dallas?
Fatal car accidents often occur on busy highways in the DFW Metroplex, including.
Interstate 20
A major east-west highway, I-20 passes through Dallas-Fort Worth and many other Texas communities, including Odessa, Midland, Big Spring, Abilene and Arlington. The stretch of I-20 in Tarrant County has been rated one of the 10 deadliest highways in the country. One study (Value Penguin) ranked Interstate 20 in Texas the 8th nationwide based on the number of fatal car accidents per mile. Another study (The Zebra) ranked I-20 in Texas the 2nd deadliest highway nationwide.
Interstate 30
Running northeast to southwest through Dallas, Interstate 30 travels 223 miles through Texas, from Fort Worth to the Arkansas border. I-30 in Dallas is also known as the Tom Landry Highway in honor of the longtime Dallas Cowboys coach. The stretch of I-30 in Dallas County has been ranked the 52nd deadliest highway nationwide, according to Value Penguin.
Interstate 35 E and 35 W
Two major highways in the greater Dallas area, Interstate 35 East and Interstate 35 West primarily travel north and south through Dallas. Interstate 35 East travels 96 miles through Dallas, Lewisville, Denton and several other communities in Texas. Interstate 35 West starts in Denton and travels 85 miles south through Alvarado, Fort Worth and other communities west of Dallas. Both stretches of I-35 are among the deadliest highways in the country.
Interstate 45
A major north-south highway, Interstate 45 connects Dallas with Houston and travels more than 284 miles through Hutchins, Wilmer, Huntsville, Conroe, The Woodlands and many other communities in Texas. Car accidents often occur on this highway involving other vehicles and especially large trucks. I-45 in Texas was ranked the 23rd deadliest road in the country on Value Penguin’s 100 deadliest roads in the country list. The same website also ranked I-45 number six on its list of the deadliest roads nationwide for nighttime car accidents.
Interstate 635
Running just 36 miles in the Dallas area, Interstate 635 (also called the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway) connects communities like Balch Springs, Mesquite, Garland, Irving and Grapevine to Dallas. Car accidents often occur on I-635 due to speeding or distracted drivers. This is why motorists need to stay alert at all times on the LBJ Freeway in Dallas.
Interstate 820
Another relatively short highway, Interstate 820 runs just 35 miles near Fort Worth and primarily serves as an auxiliary route for Interstate 20. Often simply called the 820 or Loop 820, car accidents can happen in an instant on this often busy highway, especially during rush hour, when many drivers are speeding or driving distracted.
Why do car accidents happen in Dallas?
Car wrecks in Dallas often occur because one driver was not following the rules of the road. In particular, speeding drivers remain a major problem on roads and highways in the Dallas area. Each year on average, speeding drivers in Dallas County cause more than 140 car accident deaths each year, according to car accident data collected by the NHTSA.
Other common causes of motor vehicle accidents in Dallas include:
- Drunk driving, which results in more than 130 car accident fatalities on average each year in Dallas County alone, according to the NHTSA.
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving, even though it’s against the law to read, write or send a text message while driving in Texas.
- Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel, especially on highways and rural roads at night.
- Reckless drivers who run a red light, aggressively tailgate, change lanes without warning or take other risks on the road that result in serious car accidents.
What should I do after a Dallas car accident?
You need to act fast to protect your health and your rights after a serious car accident in Dallas. Such steps include:
- Call 911 and tell the police you have been in a car crash. The 911 dispatcher will then notify the Dallas Police Department or the Texas Highway Patrol depending on the location of your accident.
- Take photos of your accident. The more pictures, the better.
- If someone saw your car accident, get their name and phone number so investigators can contact them later.
- Exchange information with the other driver, including insurance information, driver’s license data, address, and phone number.
- Once you share information with the other driver, don’t talk to them. Anything you say could later be used to deny your injury claim.
- See a doctor as soon as possible after your accident.
- Call a Dallas car accident lawyer right away to learn more about your legal rights.
Who’s responsible for paying for car accidents in Dallas?
Texas has an at-fault car insurance system. This is very important when it comes to who’s responsible for paying for your accident. Under this system, the at-fault party must pay all injury victims for all their accident-related expenses.
In most cases, this means the at-fault driver’s insurance company must pay for your Dallas car accident. This might sound simple. But actually getting the money you rightfully deserve can be a lot more difficult than many people suspect. That’s because many insurance companies do everything they can to pay injury victims as little as possible or deny their claim altogether.
How a Dallas car accident lawyer can help you
When you have an attorney on your side after a serious car accident in Dallas, you can decide what happens next. Instead of insurance companies or anyone else telling you what to do, you can make sure that your best interests get the attention they rightfully deserve.
Experienced Dallas car accident attorneys understand how the legal system works in Texas. They’re also familiar with the local, state and federal laws that may apply to different types of car accident claims or lawsuits.
Don’t take chances with your future. Talk to an experienced Dallas car accident lawyer right away.
