Texas Accident & Injury News
High-speed accidents almost always end in serious injuries.
Four Children in Critical Condition, Woman Dead in High-Speed Crash
According to a Click 2 Houston news report, a 26-year-old woman is dead, and four children are in critical condition after losing control of her vehicle at around 11:30 p.m. on May 22, 2023, on I-45 in La Marque. Galveston police reported that the woman was speeding on I-45 when she struck the wall and flipped multiple times before falling off the bridge and onto the roadway below. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and the four children, 3 and 6 years old, are in the hospital in critical condition. It is unclear if the children were properly buckled or in car seats at the time of the crash.
Did You Know?
Excessive speed is responsible for roughly 25,000 accidents in Texas annually.
Speeding in Texas
Texas is a big state, and with miles of open freeway, it can be very tempting to drive over the speed limit. Unsurprisingly, Texas has a big problem with speeding. Nearly 40% of all freeway fatalities occurred because of excessive speeds in 2020, and since then has accounted for 30% of all roadway fatalities. Roadway conditions are a significant contributing factor in speeding-related accidents, as even driving the posted speed limit in dangerous weather conditions is reckless and can lead to serious accidents. Speeding was a factor in fatal crashes for:
- 18% of drivers in normal road conditions
- 22% on wet roads
- 32% on roads with snow or slush
- 33% on roads with ice or frost
- 38% on roads with moving or standing water
- 43% on roads with mud, dirt, or gravel
Additionally, intoxicated drivers over 21 years old consist of 40% of all of these fatal speeding accidents, regardless of road conditions. Men between the ages of 15-20 are also at greater risk of being involved in speeding accidents, consisting of 35% of all fatalities compared to only 21% of females in the same age group.
Dealing With Speeding Drivers
It seems that more and more these days, people are incredibly busy, and the roads seem more congested than ever as more and more people move to Texas. Unfortunately, running late and congested road conditions are the two most commonly cited reasons for speeding. It’s important to plan your trips ahead and leave early to ensure that you don’t add the stress of running late to your next trip. However, if you encounter a speeding or aggressive driver, here are some tips on what to do:
- Move Over – If you are in the left lane and traveling at the speed limit and someone wants to pass you, move over. You may be behaving correctly, but it isn’t worth an accident.
- Give Extra Space – Speeding drivers are far more likely to lose control of their vehicle. Keep yourself safe and give them extra following space.
- Call the Police – Speeding is often tied to aggressive driving. If a driver is tailgating you or attempting to get you to engage in reckless behavior, use your judgment to get out of the way and contact the police to report the driver.
Learn more about the consequences of reckless driving at our website.
Injured by a Speeding Driver in Galveston?
If you have been injured in an accident involving a reckless driver in Galveston or the surrounding area, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Carabin Shaw for a free case evaluation today at 800-862-1260. We have 30 years of experience representing personal injury and wrongful death claims in Texas. Contact Carabin Shaw.