Houston’s reputation for deadly highways is well-known. More than 1,000 people died on area roadways between 2014 and 2018, according to state data. City leaders recently announced a plan to end traffic deaths and severe injuries by 2030.
Although it might be unrealistic to stop all fatal car accidents, it’s an important initiative. A car accident resulting in fatalities and other severe harm is terrible, and steps should be taken to prevent them. The Krist Law Firm P.C. injury lawyers are here to help after a car accident, but it is far better never to need us.
If you or a loved one were seriously or fatally injured in a Houston car accident, contact us at (281) 283-8500 or use our online form. Initial consultations are free, and there’s never a charge unless you recover compensation.
Houston’s Vision Zero Action Plan
Acknowledging Houston’s dangerous roads, the city decided to join a nationwide initiative to end traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. The plan focuses on speed reduction, road construction, more public transportation, along with pedestrians and bike lanes.
Houston’s plan is to change roads to accommodate non-drivers, such as pedestrians, wheelchair users, and cyclists. Public dashboards will also remind drivers of the number of fatalities on roadways.
Pedestrians are the Most at Risk
Less than 2% of city residents walk to work. However, data released by the Texas Department of Transportation indicated that a third of all traffic deaths are pedestrians. The disproportionate number of pedestrian deaths indicates a road design problem.
Another problem revealed was that 60% of all crashes occur on just 6% of Houston streets. Nearly all of those high-injury roads are in low-income areas and communities of color.
To address these concerns, Vision Zero plans to:
- Redesign 10 of those high-injury locations
- Construction of 50 miles of sidewalks annually
- Creation of 25 miles of bikeways per year
- Prioritization of pedestrian right of way at intersections and crosswalks
The commitment to reducing car accident deaths and injuries is clear. Time will tell if the initiatives make a difference.
Injuries & Wrongful Death Caused by Car Accidents
Unfortunately, these initiatives won’t lead to overnight reductions in injuries or stop fatal car accidents in Houston. If you’re injured, or a loved one dies, you may be entitled to compensation due to a car accident.
Our car accident attorneys understand Texas’ personal injury and wrongful death law. We can help recover damages from the at-fault party.
Personal Injury Claims
We will investigate your car accident details for a personal injury claim, identify all responsible parties, and work for your case’s full, fair settlement. To prove your entitlement to compensation, our experienced personal injury attorneys will show:
- You were owed a duty of care
- That duty was breached
- The breach of duty caused the accident
- Damages resulted
Damages that Texas courts award in auto accident claims include property damage, medical expense, lost wages, lost earnings, mental anguish, and pain and suffering.
Wrongful Death Claims
Our wrongful death attorneys are here to assist those whose loved ones die in car accidents caused by others’ negligence. Depending on your relationship with the deceased, you may have a wrongful death claim.
A claim must be brought within two years of the death by the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased. Timely contacting our wrongful death attorneys assures your claim is protected.
Damages for wrongful death include medical expenses, funeral/burial costs, loss of financial contribution, loss of companionship, loss of inheritance, and physical pain and mental anguish.
In a Houston-area Car Accident? We Can Help
The Vision Zero plan to reduce injury and deaths on Houston roads is a great initiative, but it will take a decade. In the meantime, the chance of being hurt or killed on area roads remains high.
The car accident attorneys at The Krist Law Firm P.C. know the Houston-Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area well and how to aggressively fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (281) 283-8500 to discuss your case in a free, no-obligation consultation.