Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death in Texas. This article covers the car accident statistics in Katy, Texas, and some of the top causes.
Car accidents are quite high in Texas and disrupt the lives of individuals daily. If you’ve been in an accident, you may want to consider hiring a Katy car accident lawyer that understands the law and can protect your rights. As part of Houston, Katy, Texas, has seen its fair share of car accidents.
Sometimes, the accident leads to a loss of life or changes the victim’s life forever. If someone’s negligence resulted in a car accident that injured you, you shouldn’t be left with the bill. A Katy car accident lawyer will carefully discuss your rights with you and help you maximize your chances of recovery.
Car Accident Statistics in Texas
People suffer injuries in Katy, Texas every day. For fatal crashes, the consequences are usually disastrous. Katy has a population of over 19,000 residents, and while this number might seem small, each life matters.
Over 500,000 auto accidents happen yearly in Texas. There are nearly no deathless days in Texas due to fatal accidents occurring almost daily. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), a reportable car accident occurs every 57 seconds, while one person dies every 2 hours and 12 minutes.
Although the government continues to analyze data as to why the car accident statistics seem higher after the pandemic, a common theory is that drivers are more comfortable speeding, drunk driving, or engaging in other reckless behaviors because of the reduced number of vehicles on the road.
2021 was amongst the deadliest years on Texas roads, according to traffic fatality data released by the Texas DOT. This increase in traffic crashes is consistent with crash reports around the country. According to TxDOT, 1,522 people died due to speeding, while 1,219 died because they weren’t wearing seatbelts.
Katy, Texas Car Accident Statistics
From 2019 – 2021, 2021 has the highest number of crash victims. In 2020, there was only one fatal crash, while the 2019 TxDOT crash statistic shows one fatal crash and one death. Reports also revealed that over 11 people suffered suspected severe injuries, which is 31% higher than in 2020.
Although the total crashes were 9% lower in 2020, according to TxDOT reports, they increased by 21% in 2021, with the total number of crashes being 720. This is a 13 percent increase from 2019, when the total crashes were 632.
Top Causes of Car Accidents in Katy, Texas
With the high rate of car accidents, you’re probably wondering what the top causes of accidents are. Knowing the reasons might be the best way to prevent fatal car accidents. Additionally, knowing the cause of your car accident can help a Katy car accident lawyer get you the compensation you deserve.
Below are some of the top causes of car accidents in Texas.
Distracted Driving
You’ll often find that most drivers involved in a motor vehicle accident were distracted while driving. Texting while driving is illegal in Texas. However, many drivers still engage in this behavior, resulting in distracted driving accidents. Other distractions while driving include loud music, eating, and even other passengers in the car.
Drunk Driving
This is a common factor behind the majority of accidents nationwide. Drunk driving crashes are also quite common in Katy, Texas. In Texas, the blood alcohol limit for drivers is 0.08%, which is similar to most states. To prevent drunk driving accidents, drivers should never get behind the wheel when they’ve been drinking.
Drugged Driving
Drugged drivers are no different from drunk drivers because they’re both under the influence of an illegal substance. Marijuana isn’t legal in Texas, but many drivers still use cannabis and then get behind the wheel. You can also be considered a liable party if you take prescription medication and cause a car accident in Katy, Texas.
Road Rage
This is a dangerous driving attitude that’s unfortunately common. People tend to act unreasonably when angry with other drivers on the road. Unfortunately, this often results in accidents, with accident victims sustaining severe injuries.
Reckless Driving
Distracted drivers are not nearly as reckless as those who excessively speed or cut other drivers off. However, if a driver switches lanes erratically, it could also result in a motor vehicle accident. In addition, drivers could exhibit various dangerous behaviors that result in fatal and non-fatal crashes.
Speeding
Driving beyond the speed limit doesn’t just result in an accident; it could result in accident fatalities. The chances that a car crash will result in a fatality increase with speed. Therefore, it is important to always stick to the legal speed limit to prevent deadly crashes.
Beyond this, there are several actions drivers could take that result in car accidents. But, again, an experienced Katy car accident lawyer can help you hold the negligent driver and their insurance carrier responsible in such a case.
Steps to Take After Car Accidents in Katy, Texas
With the high car accident statistics in Texas, it’s essential to know what to do after an accident. Unfortunately, the feeling of panic, confusion, and pain takes over after a car crash. It can be difficult navigating the situation, but below are steps you should take after an accident.
Call 911
After an accident and you’re out of harm’s way, you should call 911. The operator would usually send an ambulance and police officer to the accident scene. The responding officer would create the police report, which would benefit your accident lawsuit.
Take Photos of the Crash Scene
Photos are valuable pieces of evidence. Therefore, take photos of the scene and property damage if it’s safe. Ensure the pictures capture the plate numbers, road conditions, and injuries. Then, your Katy car accident lawyer can use these pictures as evidence to strengthen your compensation claim.
Identify Witnesses
Apart from photos, another type of evidence you could use is witness information. Take note of eyewitnesses at the accident scene and collect their contact information. A witness statement would support your car accident claim.
Seek Medical Attention
Medical treatment is essential after a car accident. Adrenaline following the jarring experience makes it easy to suffer from hidden injuries like internal bleeding without realizing it. However, when you see the doctor, you can receive treatment and prevent your injuries from worsening.
Medical records are also vital when building a personal injury case. Therefore, ensure your medical doctor writes down crucial details of your injury. Then, your Katy car accident lawyer can use this evidence to make the jury understand your damages.
Write Down Every Detail
It’s normal to forget details of the crash in the heat of the moment. However, details are also quick to fade after an accident. Therefore, you should write down everything you can remember about the incident as soon as you can. Also, keep track of your symptoms by noting your changes and new difficulties.
What Compensation Can I Receive for a Car Accident?
Following a car accident, a victim can claim the following damages:
Economic Damages
These damages are awarded to compensate victims for financial losses. They usually include your medical bills, lost wages, property damages, loss of earning capacity, future medical expenses, and many more.
You need to know that when calculating medical bills, you need to consider more than past expenses. Future damages like prescriptions, surgeries, etc., should also be considered. The damages you include in your claim determine your financial compensation.
Non-Economic Damages
This type of damage is harder to estimate because they’re not tangible. However, this is usually compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, emotional distress, reputational damage, etc.
Punitive Damages
Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are not common in Katy car accident claims. This is not awarded for a loss. Instead, it is a form of punishment for the reckless action of a driver. It is more common in speed-related or drunk driving accidents.
To know the value of your car accident claim, it is best to speak with a Katy car accident attorney who will properly evaluate your case.
What Determines a Fair Settlement After a Car Accident in Katy, Texas?
When seeking financial compensation for injuries, some factors could affect the compensation you can recover from the negligent party’s insurance adjuster. Below are some of the leading factors that play a significant role.
Severity of Injuries
The severity of your injury can affect the amount you receive as settlement. For minor injuries, the compensation would be pretty low. However, the compensation is far higher for severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue injuries, etc.
Your Damages
In terms of damages, medical bills are usually the highest, especially for serious injuries. However, this could make up just a fraction of your total loss when you seek compensation for non-economic damages like emotional distress, disfigurement, and scarring from the accident.
The At-Fault Party’s Insurance Coverage
Texas has a minimum amount of coverage every driver must carry. While some drivers purchase higher than the minimum coverage to limit their financial risk in the case of an accident, others simply buy the minimum insurance.
The at-fault party’s insurance adjuster will try to negotiate a financial settlement within the driver’s policy limits. However, your Katy car accident attorney will negotiate with the insurance adjusters to ensure you get maximum compensation. If the driver is underinsured, it will limit your financial recovery because you might have to resort to filing a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party directly.
Your Liability in the Accident
When you file an insurance claim, you must prove that the other driver’s negligent actions caused the accident. In addition, you’ll need to provide evidence of the other driver’s liability for the insurance adjuster to offer a fair settlement. Some evidence includes police reports, pictures, and videos of the accident scene.
Insurance companies are always looking for ways to avoid going to court because litigation is time-consuming and expensive. In addition, they’re aware that they could lose at trial, so they will likely offer a higher settlement.
Speak to a Katy Car Accident Lawyer Today
Based on the car accident statistics provided in this article, it’s clear that auto accidents are common. If you’ve been in a crash resulting from someone else’s negligent action, you can seek compensation for your damages. However, car accident claims can get complex quickly. That’s why you should consider speaking to a Katy car accident lawyer after your accident.
At McDonald Worley, we understand how auto crashes can affect a person’s life. That’s why we’re dedicated to getting accident victims the compensation they deserve. We want to fight for you. Contact us to book a free case evaluation if you’ve been in a Katy car accident.