The Types of Collisions that Occur Most Often in South Texas
The most common cause of personal injury, in San Antonio and across the country, is motor vehicle accidents. Approximately six million collisions are reported every year throughout the United States. In part because of its size and population, Texas is often among the leaders in both fatal and non-fatal car, truck and motorcycle accidents.
The Most Frequent Types of Car Accidents in San Antonio
San Antonio motor vehicle accidents include:
- Rear-end collisions—The most common cause of car, truck and motorcycle accidents in San Antonio and nationwide, these types of accident are more often than not the result of lack of attention or distraction. Texas law requires that trailing motorists keep an “assured clear distance” between their vehicle and the one in front of them, but many motorists are in a hurry or trying to do too many things at a time.
- T-bone accidents—This happens when one motorist runs into the side of another vehicle, typically at an intersection. Also known as a broadside collision, it’s commonly the result of a failure to stop at a red light or stop sign.
- Head-on collisions—The most common cause of fatal motor vehicle accidents, these crashes typically occur when one motorist is traveling on the wrong side of the road or going the wrong way on a one-way street or highway.
- Sideswipes—These are frequently the result of failing to determine if another motorist is in your vehicle’s blind spot. They can also be a consequence of failing to account for other motorists when merging into traffic.
- Single-vehicle wrecks—These crashes are commonly caused by poor weather conditions, dangerous or defective vehicle parts, or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
What Should You Do Immediately after a Car Accident?
Your first concern, in the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, should be your health. Take an immediate inventory of your injuries. If you have injuries to your neck, back or legs, you should probably not move until emergency medical professionals arrive and conduct an assessment. Don’t try to shake off the injury…that will often make it worse. Be willing to travel to the hospital by ambulance, if necessary. If you can get up and move under your own power, you still need to seek medical attention as soon as possible, whether at a hospital, urgent care facility or with your primary care physician.
If possible, you want to gather as much information as possible while at the scene of the crash. Get contact information for all parties to the accident, as well as any potential witnesses. That includes name, phone number, email and snail mail address.
Take pictures of everything related to the accident, from your injuries to any damage to the vehicles, weather conditions or any irregularities with the roadway or signage. You can use the camera on your cell phone.
Contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney can be your advocate with insurance companies, as well as the courts, and can ensure that critical evidence is preserved and documents are filed in a timely manner.
Ways that You Can Minimize the Risk of Being in a Car Accident
Often, the circumstances leading to a car accident are out of your control. There are, however, some steps you can take to reduce the risk of injury in a motor vehicle accident:
- Drive defensively—That includes keeping a safe distance between you and other motorists, keeping an eye out for their movements, taking adverse weather conditions into consideration, and obeying all traffic laws
- Keep your focus on the road—Avoid the use of handheld devices, wait until a stoplight to adjust the radio, don’t eat or groom while driving, make certain your children are buckled in, and let others do the navigating, if possible.
- Keep your car in good shape—Make certain your brakes are in good shape, don’t drive on old or worn tires, immediately replace broken or defective turn signals, tail lights or brake lights
- Don’t drive when you are tired, if at all possible
- Don’t drink and drive
Contact the Proven Car Accident Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen
At the law offices of Bailey & Galyen, we understand the devastating impact a motor vehicle accident injury can have on every part of your life. We’ll be at your side throughout the legal process, acting as your advocate with insurance companies and as your voice in all meetings, hearings and legal proceedings. Contact us by e-mail or 844-402-2992 call our offices at one of the convenient locations listed below. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
