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Accidents can happen anywhere, but there are particular stretches of roadway where vehicle accidents have been more common.
Eleven of the 50 most dangerous highways in the country are in Texas, and two of them, Interstate 20 and Interstate 35, run through Fort Worth, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
A recent three-year study by NHTSA found that there were 90 fatalities on the most dangerous Fort Worth highways, namely I-35, I-20, 820, and I-30. Statewide, 616 fatal crashes involved large vehicles such as trucks and buses. Rural areas were deadlier than urban areas by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
In particular, drivers should use extra caution when traveling near these areas in and around Fort Worth, according to the Dallas Observer:
East Loop 820 from I-30 to I-20
Average daily vehicle miles traveled (VMT): 527,497
Total crashes: 295
Crash rate per VMT: 153.22
I-35W from Loop 820 to I-30
Average daily VMT: 706,900
Total crashes: 491
Crash rate per VMT: 190.30
State Highway 360 from I-30 to I-20
Average daily VMT: 758,327
Total crashes: 533
Crash rate per VMT: 192.57
I-30 from I-35W west to Loop 820
Average daily VMT: 533,127
Total crashes: 411
Crash rate per VMT: 203.57
Why Are These Specific Areas So Dangerous?
Highway driving can be dangerous. Vehicles are traveling at high speeds, and it takes only split-seconds to make an error that can cause a serious accident.
Speeding, distracted or drunk driving, and driving without a seat belt all contribute to traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths.
As gas prices have decreased and the economy has improved, there is more traffic on the roads, and consequently, there are more accidents and more fatalities.
I-35, in particular, is a significant trade route up from Mexico. Furthermore, I-20 and I-35 have higher median wait times for emergency medical services arrival: 14 minutes and 11 minutes, respectively.
Common Truck Accident Injuries in Fort Worth
Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries because commercial trucks are so much larger and heavier than other vehicles. Big rigs can weigh up to 40 tons, or 80,000 pounds, fully loaded.
Drivers and passengers suffer tremendous forces in a crash. People in smaller vehicles are much more at risk than the driver of the truck. It is important to seek medical attention immediately following an accident.
Some of the injuries that could be sustained in a truck accident include:
- Back injuries – Damage to the thoracic spine in the upper back is severe and can result in permanent nerve damage. In the lumbar spine, a strain (damage to the ligaments) or sprain (stretching of the ligaments, tendons, or muscles) can be particularly painful and may result in limited movement.
- Neck injuries, including whiplash – In whiplash injuries, the head snaps backward and then forward, straining the muscles in the neck and tearing tendons and ligaments.
- Damage to the spinal cord – This can often lead to partial or total paralysis, loss of feeling, or loss of reflex function. There are also secondary risks associated with spinal cord damage, including infection, bleeding, blood clots, and spinal fluid leakage.
- Traumatic brain injury – Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a notable risk in truck accidents because of the force of impact in a crash. The skull may be fractured, or there may be brain herniation or swelling, which, along with bleeding, may cause excessive pressure buildup. This can cause strokes, permanent brain damage, or death.
- Burns (from fuel or hazardous materials) – Chemical or gas leaks from a truck carrying these materials can be highly flammable or explosive. Accident victims are likely to receive burns in this type of crash. First degree burns only damage the outermost layer of skin and do not leave a scar. Second-degree burns reach the superficial layer of skin and may be accompanied by blistering or infection. Third-degree burns damage the entire dermis. They usually cause scars and may require skin grafts. Fourth-degree burns reach into the muscle and bone. These burns often require amputation.
- Limb injuries or amputations – A side impact may cause arms and legs to hit the door, or the knees may hit the dashboard or the seats in front. Fractures and breaks are common in a truck accident, but if the limb is crushed or suffers extreme damage, loss of blood flow, or infection, it may need to be removed.
- Internal injuries – Major impacts and blunt force trauma can cause damage to organs like the spleen, liver, or kidneys, or may cause internal bleeding. These injuries may not be immediately apparent, so a medical exam is imperative.
- Lacerations – This refers to deep cuts or severe tears of the skin. Proper cleaning is required to avoid infection, and sutures or stitches are usually necessary. These injuries can be severe if an artery is damaged.
- Bone breaks and fractures – A simple or closed fracture occurs when a bone breaks under the skin. If the bone pierces the skin, it is an open or compound fracture. Symptoms include intense pain, swelling, numbness, or difficulty moving the limb.
- Fatal injury – Large truck accidents accounted for 11% of roadway fatalities in one recent year, and 96% of the fatalities in those accidents were occupants of a passenger vehicle. In the event of wrongful death, the victim’s family may be able to recover burial expenses or compensation for loss of household income in an insurance claim.
Contact Tate Law Offices, P.C., in Fort Worth for Help Now
If you or a loved one has been in an accident with a truck or other large commercial vehicle in Fort Worth, please don’t hesitate to call Tate Law Offices, P.C., right away. Damages in a truck crash can reach into the millions of dollars because these accidents are so devastating and the injuries so severe. Insurance companies are very hesitant to pay such high figures.
Our seasoned team of attorneys can help you seek the compensation you are owed for your injuries while you focus on your recovery. Call us today for a free consultation.
