Schuelke Law Discusses the Most Dangerous Roads in Austin, Texas

Austin Transportation’s Vision Zero program has identified 13 High-Injury Roadway sections that require cost-effective safety enhancements. These improvements include focused engineering designs, better signage, and targeted enforcement against dangerous driving behaviors. In the past seven years, these 13 sections have witnessed over 350 serious injuries or fatalities, making up more than half of the top 100 costly locations in Austin. 

Identifying and understanding high-injury roads is essential for those who have suffered injuries in an Austin car accident. An experienced personal injury attorney can use this evidence to establish liability, support compensation claims, and inform legal strategy. It helps ensure that victims receive fair compensation for injuries sustained due to the negligence or wrongful actions of others on dangerous roadways.

Where Do Most Austin Accidents Occur?

High-injury roadways are typically identified based on their history of many accidents resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. These designations help prioritize areas for safety improvements and interventions. Vision Zero identified the following roadways:

• Airport Boulevard (Manor Road to Springdale Road)
• Burnet Road (US 183 to MoPac)
• Cameron Road (East St. Johns Avenue to Rundberg Lane)
• East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (Airport Boulevard to Johnny Morris Road)
• South First Street (Stassney Lane to Slaughter Lane)
• North Lamar Boulevard (Koenig Lane to US 183)
• North Lamar Boulevard (US 183 to Braker Lane)
• Parmer Lane (Metric Boulevard to Dessau Road)
• Riverside Drive (Lakeshore Boulevard to Montopolis Drive)
• South Congress Avenue (Ben White Boulevard to William Cannon Drive)
• South Pleasant Valley Road (Cesar Chavez Street to Oltorf Street)
• Slaughter Lane (Menchaca Road to I-35)
• William Cannon Drive (Menchaca Road to Elm Creek Drive)

These roadways present serious dangers to all road users, including drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bikers, and pedestrians.

What Improvements Are Being Made to High-Injury Roads in Austin?

Enhancements aimed at preventing accidents include:

• Installation of updated road signs;
• Upgrades to traffic signals may involve adjustments to signal cycle timing, the addition of protected left turn signals, the use of retroreflective backplates, and the introduction of leading pedestrian intervals;
• Renewal of road markings and crosswalks;
• Implementation of pedestrian hybrid beacons for safer crossings;
• Enhancement of street lighting to improve visibility;
• Relocation of bus stops for improved safety and

Implementation of various street design improvements in collaboration with ongoing projects, such as lane conversions, the addition of bicycle facilities, and the creation of more pedestrian crossing opportunities. The scope of work will differ for each section based on existing conditions and the observed patterns of accidents.

Can High-Injury Roadway Be Used as Evidence?

High-injury roadway designation can play a pivotal role in a personal injury lawsuit in Texas by serving as compelling evidence to support the victim’s case. This designation is based on extensive analysis of traffic accident data, identifying specific road sections with a history of a high number of severe injuries or fatalities. 

Establishing Negligence

 High-injury roadway designations indicate that certain road sections are known to be hazardous due to frequent accidents. Plaintiffs can argue that the defendant, by operating a vehicle on such a designated road, should have been aware of the increased risk and exercised a higher degree of care. This helps in establishing the defendant’s negligence.

Demonstrating Dangerous Conditions

Designated high-injury roadways suggest that the road conditions themselves may be unsafe. Plaintiffs can argue that the local authorities or responsible parties were aware of these dangerous conditions but failed to take appropriate measures to mitigate the risks, such as implementing safety improvements or traffic control measures.

Causation

Plaintiffs can use the high-injury designation to establish a link between the road’s dangerous nature and the injuries sustained. They can argue that the accident and resulting injuries might have been prevented if the road had been safer.

Expert Testimony

Expert witnesses can provide testimony about the high-injury designation, emphasizing the road’s history of accidents and the need for safety improvements. Their testimony can carry significant weight in court and help the jury understand the extent of the risks associated with that roadway.

Comparative Negligence

If the victim’s actions are being questioned, the high-injury designation can be used to argue that, even if the victim made a mistake, the dangerous nature of the road played a significant role in the accident, potentially reducing the plaintiff’s level of comparative negligence.

Calculating Damages

High-injury roadways often result in more severe injuries. Plaintiffs can use the designation to justify higher claims for damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages, as accidents on such roads tend to lead to more significant physical and emotional harm.