What to Know About Highway Accidents
Highways can be dangerous roads to drive on. Drivers may be traveling at super fast speeds when they plow into another vehicle. There may be bumper-to-bumper traffic and chain reaction accidents.
An accident on a highway can be catastrophic, resulting in serious injuries and even fatalities. Highway accidents are common in Texas. One recently happened in early May. The fatal crash happened in Bryan on East State Highway 21.
An SUV was traveling west on the highway and entered the center turn lane to make a left turn. At the same time, a motorcycle was heading east when it entered the center turn lane to turn left. The two vehicles collided head on. The motorcycle rider, an 18-year-old man, was killed in the crash. The driver of the SUV was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.
Why Highway Accidents Are So Dangerous
Unlike crashes on local roads, highway accidents typically happen at speeds of 55 miles per hour or higher. Texas has some of the highest speed limits in the nation, with some speed limits as high as 85 miles per hour.
The force of impact increases significantly at higher speeds, making injuries more severe and fatalities more likely. Busy highways also create chain-reaction collisions, especially during heavy traffic or poor weather conditions. Large commercial trucks, motorcycles, and distracted drivers can further increase the risk of catastrophic crashes.
Common Causes of Highway Accidents
Several factors contribute to highway collisions, including:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Fatigued driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Poor weather conditions
- Tire blowouts or vehicle defects
- Construction zones and debris on the roadway
Types of Highway Crashes
Highway accidents can occur in many forms, including:
- Rear-end collisions. These often happen during sudden traffic slowdowns or congestion when drivers are following too closely.
- Multi-vehicle pileups. Pileups may involve several vehicles and are especially common in fog, rain, snow, or icy conditions.
- Rollover accidents. SUVs, trucks, and vans have a higher center of gravity, making them more vulnerable to rollovers during sudden maneuvers.
- Truck accidents. Collisions involving semi-trucks or tractor-trailers can cause catastrophic injuries because of the size and weight of commercial vehicles.
- Head-on collisions. Although less common on divided highways, head-on crashes can occur when a driver travels the wrong way or crosses the median.
Common injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Neck and back injuries
- Burns
- Whiplash
- Permanent disability
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Car accidents can happen anywhere, but they can be especially catastrophic when they occur on freeways. These crashes may happen at very low or very high speeds.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed, contact a Houston highway accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC right away. We can help you build a case against a negligent driver. Call (281) 347-3247 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation.
Source:
kbtx.com/2026/05/08/bryan-police-investigating-fatal-crash-near-coulter-airfield/
