Types of Car Accidents in Houston

Were you injured in a car accident in Houston caused by someone else’s negligence? If so, you could be entitled to recover compensation for expenses and other losses you incurred from the crash.

The experienced car accident attorneys at The Callahan Law Firm in Houston have what it takes to help you hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions. We focus solely on helping injured victims seek the financial recovery they deserve. Our knowledgeable and assertive representation has helped us secure tens of millions of dollars for our clients.

When we work on your case, we’ll dedicate ourselves to pursuing the positive outcome you need. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and evaluate your options.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Houston

Heavy traffic means car accidents are unfortunately common in the Houston area. Any motorist who has driven in the city understands how dangerous Houston’s highways can be. Some examples of common types of car accidents that occur in Houston include:

• Head-on collisions – Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles approaching one another from opposite directions collide. Head-on collisions are arguably the most devastating type of car accident, often resulting in severe or even fatal injuries.
• Hit-and run-accidents – Hit-and-run accidents occur when a motorist hits another motorist, bicyclist, or pedestrian and then flees the scene to avoid liability. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in Texas.
• Rear-end collisions – Rear-end collisions happen when one vehicle crashes into the back of another car. Rear-end crashes often occur because one motorist followed another motorist too closely, a practice known as tailgating.
• Multi-vehicle collisions – Multiple-vehicle collisions involve three or more vehicles. A common type of multi-vehicle collision is a pileup or chain-reaction accident. A pileup accident occurs when one vehicle rear-ends another, causing a chain reaction involving additional cars that fail to stop in time to avoid a crash.
• Rollover accidents – Rollover accidents can happen when a vehicle spins out of control, flipping over on its side or onto its roof. Depending on the vehicle’s momentum, it could flip multiple times before coming to rest. Rollover accidents frequently result in fatalities.
• Side-impact collisions – Side-impact collisions are also commonly referred to at T-bone or broadside accidents. Side-impact collisions occur when a vehicle rams into the side of another car, often at a traffic light or other type of intersection.
• Left-turn accidents – Left-turn accidents often result in side-impact collisions. Left-turn accidents can occur when one motorist fails to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic, causing oncoming traffic to slam into the side of the vehicle.

Common Factors That Contribute to Car Accidents

Every accident is unique, but almost all accidents involve some form of driver negligence. Some common causes of car accidents in Houston include:

• Speeding – Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions is a dangerous practice that can lead to a crash. The faster a vehicle travels, the more time and distance it needs to slow down. A speeding driver may not have sufficient time or space to stop if a road hazard suddenly appears.
• Distracted driving – Distracted driving occurs when a driver’s attention is diverted from the task of driving. Driving distractions can be cognitive, visual, or manual. Common distractions include texting, talking on the phone, eating and drinking, adjusting the radio, and more.
• Drunk or intoxicated driving – Intoxicated drivers may experience impaired judgment, an inability to concentrate, changes to their vision and hearing, and a delayed response time. Drunk driving is a serious crime in Texas.
• Fatigued or drowsy driving – Similar to impaired drivers, fatigued drivers may make bad judgment calls and may have difficulty focusing on the task of driving.
• Reckless driving – Reckless driving is a broad term that describes several different careless driving behaviors, including tailgating, speeding, racing, road rage, aggressive driving, and unsafe lane changes, among others.
• Weather conditions – Inclement weather can contribute to accidents, particularly if drivers do not adjust their speed to account for hazardous conditions. Drivers who speed on wet or icy roads can easily lose control of their cars.
• Mechanical problems – In some cases, defective parts or mechanical malfunctions may cause accidents. For instance, faulty brakes may prevent a motorist from colliding with the vehicle in front of them. If defective parts contributed to the accident, the manufacturer could be held at least partially liable for the injuries and losses that result.
• Unsafe roads – In some cases, a city or municipality can be held liable for a car accident if unsafe roadways contributed to the crash.

Liability for Car Accidents in Houston

To bring a successful car accident claim, you typically need to show that another party’s negligence led directly to the crash that caused your injuries. Negligence is when someone fails to use reasonable caution to prevent causing others harm. So, if a motorist drives while distracted and causes an injurious accident as a result, they would likely be considered negligent and therefore liable for the crash.

To show that another party was at fault for the crash and liable for your losses – such as your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering – you will need to gather evidence that supports your case, such as:

• Information from the police accident report
• Photos of the accident scene
• Physical damage from the crash
• Videos from nearby surveillance cameras
• Statements from eyewitnesses
• Opinions from expert witnesses
• Medical records

Proving liability can be challenging, particularly if the at-fault driver tries to push some of the blame onto you. Texas has a modified comparative fault rule in place, which means that an accident victim can recover compensation even if they’re found to be partially at fault. However, their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault. However, if it’s determined that they’re more than 50 percent at fault for the crash, they will be barred from recovering any compensation at all.

The attorneys at The Callahan Law Firm have the resources to quickly gather and preserve vital evidence that can help strengthen your case against the at-fault driver.

How Can the Callahan Law Firm Help Me After a Car Accident?

Attempting to navigate the claims process on your own – especially while recovering from your injuries – can add unnecessary stress to your life.

The team at The Callahan Law Firm can take some of that burden off your shoulders by handling every facet of your case for you while you focus on rebuilding your life. Our team can help you with your case in a variety of ways. If you hire us, we will:

• Thoroughly investigate the accident that caused your injuries
• Gather evidence to support your case
• Identify the liable party or parties
• Document and estimate your financial and non-financial losses
• Negotiate for a fair settlement with the insurance company
• Be prepared to take your case to court if the insurance company fails to make a reasonable offer.

Our firm will be with you through every step of the legal process, keeping you regularly updated on the status of your case. We will work tirelessly to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact The Callahan Law Firm today for a free consultation.