Preventing and Managing Car Accidents in Texas

With wide open highways, urban landscapes, and scenic routes, Texas is a giant state with plenty of opportunities for driving. But ample driving also comes with its fair share of risks. Thousands of collisions occur every year in Texas, which may come from various factors like distracted driving, speeding, and weather-related hazards. Practicing defensive driving and understanding what hazards can arise may help you reduce the potential for car accidents.

What is defensive driving?

Defensive driving refers to a set of skills and practices that may help drivers avoid accidents while on the road. Some of the core principles of defensive driving may include:

Anticipation: Predicting what other drivers around you may do
Awareness: Monitoring your surroundings and looking out for road hazards
Reaction: Being prepared to make quick, appropriate decisions when needed

Using these principles, no matter if you’re a commercial or recreational driver, may help you spot hazards and prevent accidents while driving.

Defensive driving techniques to help prevent accidents

Here are some techniques and tips that may help you avoid collisions while driving:

Minimize distractions: Putting your phone on “do not disturb” mode and not responding to texts while in the car may help you stay focused while driving. Even small things like reaching for your water bottle or fiddling with the radio may hinder your alertness.
Maintain a safe following distance: Keeping a three-second distance between you and the car in front of you may help you with braking accordingly. In bad weather or heavy traffic, you may want to increase this distance to give yourself more time to react.
Be prepared for unexpected situations: Scanning the road ahead for upcoming hazards like debris, potholes, or erratic drivers can help you reduce the potential for accidents.
Adjust for weather and road conditions: In wet or foggy weather, it may be helpful to reduce your speed and turn on your headlights.

Common causes of accidents in Texas

Texas roads see a variety of accidents, often caused by certain driving behaviors, environmental factors, and highway conditions. Here are some of the most common causes for accidents in the state:

Distracted driving: One of the leading causes of accidents in Texas is distracted driving. This may include texting, taking phone calls, eating, or adjusting the radio while driving.
Speeding and reckless driving: In Texas, as well as the rest of the U.S., speeding is a significant factor in road collisions and accidents. Speeding may reduce the driver’s ability to react appropriately to hazards and may increase the severity of crashes. You can help prevent a speeding collision by slowing down when there’s congestion or by following the legal speed limit.
Weather conditions: Texas weather can be unpredictable, ranging from torrential rain to thick fog and extreme winds. Wet or icy roads may also make it harder for you to control your vehicle, and fog can drastically reduce visibility. If you must drive in bad weather conditions, it may be important to slow down and pay closer attention to drivers around you.
Poorly designed roads: Potholes and cracked roads are a common cause of accidents in Texas. Neglected road issues can catch drivers off guard, which driving practices may help you avoid.

Key traffic laws to follow

Following traffic laws not only helps you stay compliant with the law, but may prevent accidents and collisions, too. Here are a couple of common traffic laws in Texas to remember:

Speed limits and work zone rules: It’s important to follow posted speed limits, especially in work zones. Fines for speeding in construction areas may be hefty, and workers may be at a greater risk when drivers are speeding.
Distracted driving and seatbelt laws: Texas law prohibits sending or receiving texts while driving and mandates seat belt use for all passengers. These laws may be crucial in reducing injury severity and preventing accidents.

Managing accidents when they occur

Even by taking ample precautions, accidents may still happen. Here are some steps to follow that may help you if you’re involved in an accident:

Check for safety: Check yourself for injuries and ask others, including your passengers, if they believe they are hurt. If anyone in the car is injured, call for medical help immediately. If possible, you may want to move your vehicle out of traffic to avoid further accidents.
Reporting and documenting the accident: You may want to take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, and visible injuries. If there are witnesses, it may also be important to get their statements. In Texas, it is also required to call the police if someone is injured as the result of an accident or if a car that received damage cannot be driven safely or normally.
Contact your insurance provider: If you get into an accident, you may want to call your auto insurance provider. You may need to provide them with information like the police report and photos of the scene.

If you’re driving in Texas, Agencia de Seguros de Accesso, LLC is an insurance agency that can help you navigate certain driving situations and accidents. Our agents can guide you through our auto insurance coverage options, so you can find a policy that fits your needs. We’re familiar with Texas’s insurance laws, which can help you stay compliant with the state’s requirements.

Driving in Texas can be fun and enjoyable, and practicing defensive driving may help you avoid collisions while traversing the state. By staying alert, maintaining a safe distance, and following traffic laws, you may be able to reduce your risk of accidents. If you’re looking for auto insurance in Texas or Nevada, you can call Agencia de Seguros de Accesso, LLC and Access Insurance Agency of Nevada, LLC (A Abana) at 214-764-8868 for a free personalized quote.