Woman Dies in Single-Vehicle Crash on I-35

According to a KSAT News report, a woman died of her injuries after a single-vehicle crash on Sunday.

Police reported the accident happened at around 8:30 p.m. December 8th, in the 1500 block of Interstate 35 South, near S San Marcos and Pendleton Avenue. The woman was reportedly traveling southbound when she hit the sand barrels that divide the upper and lower levels of the highway. She then struck the end of the concrete median behind the barrels. She was not identified, but the 55-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining serious bodily injury. The investigation is ongoing.

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Did You Know?

1,368 people died in single-vehicle, run-off-the-road accidents in Texas in 2023.

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Avoid These Common Holiday Distractions While Driving in 2024

Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, car accidents of all kinds increase.

You are at a much greater risk of a single-vehicle accident during the holiday season. The holidays bring with them distraction, drowsiness, and drunk driving in greater numbers, all of which are major contributing factors to single-vehicle accidents.

Distracted driving is one of the top reasons for single-vehicle accidents, and there are unique distractions during the holidays that increase your risk. Let’s take a look.

Holiday Distractions

In 2023, there were 403 people killed in crashes involving distracted driving across the State.

Phone use is the most common but not the only kind of distracted driving, especially during the holidays. The most common distractions during the holiday season include:

• Looking at Christmas Lights — They’re a beautiful sight, but not meant for looking at while you’re driving.
• Intense Drowsiness — Rushing from shopping to one holiday party after another takes a toll, especially since the sun sets earlier during this time of year.
• Wandering Thoughts — Did you buy that present? What should you get for your aunt? I hope the store still has such and such item when I get there. All of these thoughts cause your mind to drift away from what you should be focusing on–driving.
• Makeup and Hair — Grooming while driving to that holiday party? Applying makeup, changing clothes, and styling hair should never be done while driving.
• Mental Health Distractions — Stress, anxiety, and depression all can cause a lapse of attention and drifting thoughts, which distract from driving.
• Phone Use — Texting or calling should be done while you’re parked and never while you’re driving. Social media scrolling is also extremely dangerous. Any phone use, including excessively looking at GPS or changing the GPS, increases your likelihood of an accident by 23 times, regardless of how experienced a driver you are.

How to Avoid Holiday Distractions

Here’s the thing: you don’t have to drive distracted.

You can avoid distracted driving, even during the holiday season, by:

• Prioritizing Sleep — If you know you’re going to be driving, get plenty of sleep, even if it means skipping a holiday party or two.
• Designating a Phone Passenger — Need to send a text or change the music or GPS? Designate a passenger to take care of all things phone related while you drive.
• Putting Your Phone Out of Reach — Keep your phone in the back seat or in your bag out of reach while you drive so you have to stop if you need to send a text.
• Plan Ahead — Check your route and set up your GPS before you go.

Make a commitment this year to prioritize your health and safety and that of those around you by avoiding distracted driving.

Of course, you can do everything right and still be injured in a single-vehicle accident that wasn’t your fault. When that happens, Carabin Shaw is here to help.

Injured in a Single-Vehicle Accident? Call Shaw!

If you were injured as a pedestrian or driver in a single-vehicle accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Medical Bills,
• Surgeries,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Missed Work,
• Wrongful Death,
• And More.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 for immediate assistance. No fees, no obligations, just expert legal advice. Carabin Shaw is a trusted name across Texas because we put our clients first. We look forward to serving you.

¹KSAT Report

²TxDOT Crash Facts