Houston Personal Injury Attorneys – Smith & Hassler

Anyone who’s ever driven in Houston knows the challenges the city’s traffic poses on major highways and roads. Key arteries like the Katy Freeway (I-10), the Southwest Freeway (I-69), the North Freeway (I-45), and the West Loop (I-610) are notorious for their heavy traffic and frequent congestion.

While these thoroughfares are essential for commuting and traveling across the city, they also see a high number of car accidents due to traffic congestion. Other notable roads, such as the Hardy Toll Road and the Grand Parkway (TX-99), are also common sites for traffic incidents.

According to a report by INRIX, which the Houston Chronicle referenced in a recent article, Houston has been ranked 19th globally for traffic congestion. This dubious honor highlights the increasing challenges drivers face in the city as they navigate through crowded roads and frequent gridlocks.

The growing problem of traffic congestion in Houston, TX

The INRIX report reveals that overall traffic congestion in Houston is now 1% greater than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Despite changes in work schedules and commuting habits, the city’s traffic woes continue to grow.

John Bond, a local commuter, told the Houston Chronicle, “I do not know anyone, not a single person, who thinks it is getting better.”

This sentiment echoes the frustration of many Houstonians as they face longer and more unpredictable travel times.

Key findings from the INRIX report

Several key points from the INRIX report highlight the nature and extent of Houston’s traffic issues:

Increased travel time

Houston drivers lost an average of 62 hours to traffic congestion last year, equivalent to over two and a half days of time that could have been spent elsewhere. This congestion costs local drivers approximately $1,082 annually in wasted time and fuel.

Long commutes

Houston ranks high among cities with the longest commuting distances, averaging about 9.5 miles per trip. This is longer than the average commute in New York, Los Angeles, and Boston.

Improved yet persistent congestion

While congestion in early 2023 dropped slightly by 1%, this pales in comparison to the more significant reductions seen in other major global cities like New York and London.

Traffic congestion and car accident claims

Increased congestion often leads to more accidents, ranging from minor fender-benders to severe collisions that result in serious injuries. Here are some common legal issues related to traffic congestion:

Accident liability

With more cars on the road, determining fault in an accident can become more complex. Multiple factors, such as distracted driving, speeding, and road rage, can contribute to collisions when there is a lot of traffic, and in some cases, there may be more than one liable party for a serious wreck.

Injuries and damages

Traffic accidents in congested areas often result in significant injuries, from broken bones and neck injuries to spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries. Victims may face long recovery periods, mounting medical bills, lost wages, and other losses related to the crash.

Complex insurance claims

Navigating insurance claims after an accident in a congested area can be challenging. Insurance companies might dispute liability or the extent of damages, and in multi-car pileups, determining fault and pursuing compensation can be challenging for crash victims.

Our Houston car accident lawyers are here to help

Houston’s ranking as the 19th most congested city globally stresses the need for drivers to remain vigilant and practice safe driving habits. However, no matter how careful you may be when behind the wheel, accidents caused by other drivers can still happen.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Houston, TX, the experienced attorneys at Smith & Hassler are here to protect your rights and aggressively advocate for your best interests. Our dedicated legal team can assist with the following:

Investigating the crash

We conduct thorough investigations to determine the cause of the accident and establish liability.

Handling insurance claims

Our attorneys negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries and other related expenses.

Providing legal representation

If necessary, we are prepared to take your case to court and fight for the justice you deserve.

Our law firm understands what it takes to obtain meaningful results for our clients. For instance, in one case, we obtained $800,000 for a client who suffered back, neck, and shoulder injuries in an intersection accident. Before filing suit, the insurance company’s offer was approximately $45,000.

Shift your case into overdrive and find out how an experienced car accident attorney in Houston, TX, can help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently approved $345 million worth of projects, including bicycle paths and pedestrian walkways, designed to make the state safer for everyone and reduce the number of bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Texas.

“This is a major investment in communities across the state that will help make it safer and easier to get around on foot or a bike,” Texas Transportation Commissioner Robert “Robie” Vaughn said in a statement recently released by TxDOT. “This optionality supports safety, active lifestyles, health and wellness, and can provide alternatives to traveling by vehicle.”

Pedestrian and bicycle projects in Houston, Texas

The $345 million will be spent on 83 projects throughout the state. According to TxDOT officials, “These projects will help improve safety for people walking, biking, or using wheelchairs, including 24 projects that will go in areas with a high pedestrian crash history.”

In the Houston area, such bicycle and pedestrian projects include:

• Construction of West Loop shared-use path and Bayou Bridge in Harris County, Texas – $18.45 million.
• Multi-modal path construction in University Asia Town area – $8.87 million.
• Construction of shared use path in The Woodlands, Texas – $7.47 million.
• Construction of Emancipation Trail shared use path in La Marque, Texas – $4.5 million.
• Bicycle lane and sidewalk construction in Angleton, Texas – $4.27 million.
• Sidewalk construction, traffic signal improvements, and other pedestrian projects in Dickinson, Texas – $2.8 million.
• Construction of sidewalks and other public safety improvements in Hitchcock, Texas – $2.45 million.
• Sidewalk improvement project in West Columbia, Texas – $2.26 million.
• Bicycle transit study in Harris County, Texas – $920,000.
• Planning study for Improving Safety and Access to White Oak Bayou – $460,000.
• Pedestrian and bicycle master plan designed to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety in Houston – $368,000.
• Transportation plan in Clute, Texas – $288,075.

Pedestrian accidents on the rise

One of the driving forces behind these projects is the dramatic increase in the number of pedestrian accidents and fatalities throughout Texas in recent years. Between 2013 and 2022, the number of pedestrian accident deaths in Texas has increased by 72.9 percent, from 480 deaths in 2013 to 830 deaths in 2022, according to accident data collected by TxDOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Bicycle accidents are also a problem

Along with pedestrian fatalities, fatal bicycle accidents have increased sharply in the past decade in Texas. Between 2013 and 2022, bicycle accident deaths have increased by a staggering 91.6 percent, from 48 deaths in 2013 to 92 bicycle fatalities in 2022, according to the NHTSA and TxDOT.

“People who walk and bike make up about 1 out of every 5 deaths on roadways here in Texas,” said Texas Transportation Commissioner Alvin New in a recent statement. “These projects will help the state move closer toward the goal of zero deaths by giving people a place to walk and bike separate from traffic.”

Contact a Houston, TX pedestrian accident attorney

An insurance claim involving a cyclist or pedestrian hit by a car might initially seem straightforward. But many times, they become complicated legal cases. That’s because the stakes can be high, and rather than paying injury victims the money they deserve, insurance companies will often do everything they can to reduce or deny injury claims.

Our Houston pedestrian accident lawyers at Smith & Hassler know how to handle insurance companies and can help you every step of the way. We know how to investigate such accidents and what evidence to look for to build a strong legal case. Many insurance companies agree to negotiate in good faith once they see we’re serious about your case. If not, we’re not afraid to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit on your behalf, seeking the compensation you deserve.

Get the law firm that gets results for injured Texans, and schedule a free case evaluation with a Houston pedestrian accident attorney who puts your best interests first. We have four offices conveniently located throughout Texas, including three offices in Houston. We also offer legal representation on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fees unless we win your case. Contact us today to learn more about your potential legal options.

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that a woman crossing Westheimer near Dunvale was fatally struck by a car the afternoon of Thursday April 28, 2011. The accident happened around 2:00PM. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver who struck the pedestrian waited for police. HPD said that the fatal accident remains under investigation. The photograph below appears to show the deceased pedestrian on the vehicle’s roof.  Click2Houston.com has reported on the same incident however the Click2Houston article identifies the pedestrian as male and states the man had been shopping at Wal-Mart immediately before the accident, then he was struck when attempting to cross four lanes of traffic not at an intersection.

A female pedestrian was fatally struck by a car on Westheimer

Those of you familiar with Smith & Hassler‘s television commercials will know that for many years actor William Shatner has been Smith & Hassler‘s spokesperson. William Shatner has enjoyed a very long and fruitful career but is probably best known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk of the starship U.S.S. Enterprise, boldly going where no man had gone before in the TV show Star Trek. Shatner played the role of Capt. Kirk from 1966 to 1969.  More recently Shatner has played the role of attorney Denny Crane in the TV series Boston Legal.

Shatner was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on March 22, 1931 making today his 80th birthday. Smith & Hassler wishes Mr. Shatner a happy birthday, and here’s to many more.

A law took effect in the City of Tomball, Texas today that prohibits texting while driving.  The law is Ordinance 2010-25. The obvious goal of the ordinance is to avoid car accidents and to promote drive safety. Tomball police are hoping motorists voluntarily comply with the ordinance, and anticipate having to enforce it through fines and other measures in egregious cases. Certainly Smith & Hassler applauds any such efforts to reduce the number of injuries caused by inattentive drivers on Texas roads.

The text of the ordinance can be viewed here. Story here

Bellaire police are reporting a wreck on the West Loop near Evergreen Street at about 11:00pm. The collision was shortly after the Houston Texan’s game ended Thursday night and caused a two-mile backup of traffic. Two vehicles were involved in the collision and two injured people were taken to Ben Taub Hospital — the extent of their injuries has not been released. The cause for the collision is under investigation. Click2Houston.com story here.