Texas’ state capital is Austin, an inland city known for its live music scene, parks, lakes, and hiking trails. However, people looking to enjoy all that Austin has to offer will have to drive to reach their location, meaning they must go through Austin’s most dangerous intersections.
Intersections are where two or more lanes of traffic meet at a traffic control signal that allows some lanes to move through and some to stop. Many situations involving negligent drivers lead to Austin drivers running red lights and causing car and pedestrian accidents.
Some of Austin’s most dangerous intersections include Trinity and East 7th Street, Riverside Drive and S. Pleasant Valley Road, Parmer Lane, and N. Lamar Boulevard, and Riverside Drive and South Congress Avenue. Victims of Austin intersection crashes can file car accident claims with the at-fault party to pursue compensation for damages.
What Makes Austin Intersections So Dangerous?
Austin car accidents commonly occur at intersections controlling multiple lanes of traffic. Drivers must read traffic control signals, such as traffic lights, stop signs, and yield signs, at intersections to determine whether they can advance through the multi-lane intersection.
However, not all drivers take the proper precautions at intersections. Heavy traffic flow, driver inattention, and reckless driving behavior can all cause car accidents at intersections. Pedestrians can also get struck by a driver speeding through an intersection.
What makes Austin intersection accidents so dangerous is the severe car accident injuries suffered by victims. Some severe physical injuries drivers, passengers, and pedestrians can suffer include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), knee ligament tears, and shoulder injuries. These severe injuries can cause long-term pain and suffering and life-threatening health complications.
Austin Car Accidents Commonly Occur at Intersections Near Interstate 35
Intersection accidents often happen near Interstate 35, as drivers going high speeds can make mistakes that cause car accidents. Parmer Lane and N. Lamar Boulevard is an intersection just 200 yards west of I-35 that has been the site of many high-speed right-turn accidents. Drivers making right turns cannot stop in time for traffic and can cause rear-end accidents.
Cesar Chavez Street and I-35 is an intersection near downtown Austin, with many people from bars and clubs using the intersection to enter the highway. Drunk drivers going high speed can make mistakes that expose drivers and pedestrians to severe injury risks.
I-35 and Highway 290 is the busiest intersection in Austin, as these are two connected interstate roads. Car accidents happen here between drivers going high speeds in heavy traffic as they try to merge lanes and continue their commute on highways.
Trinity and East 7th Street is One of the Most Dangerous Intersections for Pedestrians
Drivers and passengers in Austin are known to become exposed to car accident injury risk at dangerous intersections. However, pedestrian accidents can also occur when drivers plow through an intersection when pedestrians walk through the crosswalk.
Austin drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who have the sign to cross the street through an intersection. Drivers who do not yield right-of-way and run red lights can crash into pedestrians and cause severe physical harm to unprotected pedestrians.
One intersection where pedestrian accidents commonly occur is Trinity and East 7th Street. There were 40 pedestrian accidents at this intersection between 2012 and 2015. The high volume of pedestrian accidents led to Austin creating the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan to create safety measures to prevent pedestrian accidents.
Riverside Drive and S. Pleasant Valley Road is the East Side’s Most Dangerous Intersection
Austin’s East Side is known for its entertainment options, with coffee shops, restaurants, and plenty of nightlife options. However, the younger crowd that flocks to the East Side can drive recklessly and cause car accidents.
Riverside Drive and S. Pleasant Valley Road is a busy intersection on Austin’s East Side where car accidents can occur. Drivers rushing to reach their entertainment destination can fail to follow road rules and crash into another driver, causing a possibly catastrophic car accident.
This Austin East Side intersection is also surrounded by many housing developments, such as Altura Apartments, Estates at East Riverside, and Avonmora Apartments. Drivers may need to use this intersection for their commute to and from work and school. They can exhibit reckless driving behavior, such as drowsy driving, distracted driving, and road rage, because of a lack of sleep, exhaustion from a day of work, or frustration with work or school.
Heavy Traffic Flow at Riverside Drive and South Congress Avenue Has Caused Car Accidents
Riverside Drive and South Congress Avenue are located in a tourist area in Austin, with many unique boutiques, hotels, and restaurants. There is also a bus stop near the intersection where people can use public transportation for a day out in Austin.
However, heavy traffic flow and complications in road design for merging lanes can lead to car and pedestrian accidents at this intersection. Reckless drivers who do not operate their cars safely can crash into cars and pedestrians at this intersection.
Bus drivers can also cause accidents at this intersection when coming to the bus stop. These large vehicles require long stopping distances, and a bus driver who does not take their time to stop can drive directly into a driver or passenger.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Austin Car Accident Claim
Austin intersection accident victims should hire a car accident lawyer to help with the claims process. They can use their experience with Austin car accident claims to help a victim recover fair compensation for car accident damages.
If you suffered an Austin car accident at an intersection, the car accident lawyers at The Russo Firm can use their knowledge of Texas car accident laws to help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Our Austin car accident lawyers can assess your damages, determine the liable party, collect evidence, negotiate a settlement, and much more. Contact us for a free Austin car accident consultation at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
