The Most Dangerous Intersections in San Antonio
Driving in any city is often tricky. Not everyone pays careful attention to the road, especially at intersections. Sometimes one of the drivers around you is inexperienced. Sometimes the other driver drank too much or is drinking while they are driving. The Texas Department of Transportation gathers data showing where and when accidents take place, and includes information such as the intersection where the accident occurred, how many people died in the accident, and how many people involved in the accident suffered injuries.
Loop 1604
According to Texas Monthly, Loop 1604, which is one of the two ring roads in San Antonio, is one of the top 10 most dangerous intersections in Texas. From 2012 through 2015, Loop 1604 saw 650 wrecks with 370 injuries and one death at three different intersections: I-10, Braun, and Bandera.
In 2019, Loop 1604 saw 434 wrecks that involved 913 vehicles and 1,130 people. Of those, two wrecks were at Bandera, and involved one injury and no deaths. At the intersection of I-10 and Loop 1604, 26 crashes involved 20 injuries but no deaths. At the intersection of Braun and 1604, 20 wrecks injured 10 people but resulted in no deaths.
The Deadliest Intersection
News4SA stated that the deadliest intersection in San Antonio is Interstate 35 and Highway 90—this intersection saw seven crash-related deaths between 2013 and 2018. This intersection also saw 44 wrecks in 2019.
Dangerous Intersections for Cyclists and Pedestrians in 2019
According to TxDOT, San Antonio saw 330 wrecks involving Cyclists that involved 330 vehicles and 362 people in 2019. Of those, there were four injury wrecks at intersections on Lockhill and Selma Road. However, none of those were reported as suspected serious injuries, and were instead reported as “possible injuries.”
Also in 2019, 288 crashes involved pedestrians. One person died in an accident at intersections on each of the following streets: Villita Street, Centennial Boulevard, W. Market Street, Whitewood Drive, McCullough Avenue, Sahara Drive, SS122, and Howard Street. Two fatal accidents did not have a street name listed.
What You Should Do If You Are in an Accident
If you are in an accident and can move without suffering additional injuries or a lot of pain:
- Check on the other drivers while you are calling first responders. Let the dispatcher know how many people seem to have injuries.
- Take photos of the accident from all directions.
- Get the other driver’s contact, insurance, and registration information.
- Get witnesses’ names and phone numbers.
- Contact your insurance company to advise them that you were in an accident and the location of the accident. Let the representative know that your car accident lawyer will contact the insurance company with more information.
- Get medical attention, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Some injuries don’t show up for hours or even days.
- Call a car accident lawyer to schedule a free consultation.
- Keep copies of any medical records that are related to the wreck.
- Contact the police department or sheriff’s department to get a copy of the accident report.
If you are injured and have to spend several days in the hospital, contact a car wreck lawyer from the hospital. We will come to you if you can’t come to us. If your loved one is not conscious or you lost a loved one in a car accident, contact us as soon as possible so that we can help you file a claim and/or file litigation.
Damages
When you are in an accident, you might be entitled to up to three types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Special damages, or economic damages, have a dollar amount attached to them and are awarded to make you whole again. You might receive compensation for past and future medical expenses, including additional surgeries, followup appointments, physical therapy, cognitive therapy, and psychological therapy. If medical professionals expect that your injuries are long-term or permanent, you may experience anxiety or depression. If the accident was violent or you feared for your life or a loved one’s life, you might experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. You may need psychological therapy to help you with these feelings.
Economic damages also include compensation for past and future lost wages, replacement or repair of personal property, and funeral and burial expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
General damages, or non-economic damages, are usually awarded if you have long-term or permanent injuries, or you lost a loved one in a vehicle accident. Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of companionship of you can no longer take part in normal family activities and events;
- Loss of consortium if you can no longer have a physical relationship with your spouse;
- Loss of use if you lose total or partial use of a body part or function, such as an arm or your eyesight;
- Inconvenience if you have to hire someone to do the chores you normally do, including home maintenance, mowing the lawn, going grocery shopping, or cleaning the house; and
- Disfigurement.
Punitive Damages
The court only awards punitive damages if the defendant’s behavior was grossly negligent or intentional. The court doesn’t award punitive damages to make you whole again, but to punish the defendant. Grossly negligent actions might include driving under the influence or driving while distracted.
Insurance Companies
You might be tempted to settle with the insurance company on your own. Keep in mind that insurance companies are in business to make a profit. Any claim they pay decreases their profits. Insurance companies are known to twist claimants’ words as an excuse to deny a claim or to pay less than the claimant deserves. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer for a consultation to determine how your case should proceed.
