Like other communities in Texas, Katy experiences many car accidents. Fortunately, most accidents cause only property damage, and motorists walk away from the accident unscathed. A fender bender might cause a few thousand in damage but, thankfully, no medical bills.
Not all motorists are so lucky. Many people are seriously injured in all sorts of accidents, including rollovers, sideswipes, and T-bones. When they are hurt, they incur huge medical bills and other expenses. Some are even pushed to the brink of bankruptcy.
At The Stano Law Firm, we know Katy well. We are happy to provide legal representation to people hurt in auto accidents in our community. Below, we look at some of the most dangerous roads in Katy based on the total number of collisions. None of the roads listed should be a surprise. They are the busiest roads in Katy, which see millions of people drive through every month. Call our firm if you have any questions about the legal process to receive compensation.
Dangerous Roads (and Intersections!)
The Texas Department of Transportation has a crash analysis and statistics tool which we used to query the number of accidents in Katy. There were 454 crashes mapped for Katy in 2023. The tool allows the user to plot the accidents on a map. Here are some of the most dangerous roads.
1. Highway Boulevard
This road saw over 60 accidents in 2023. Accidents were most common at intersections, including the intersection with Cane Island Parkway and Katyland Drive.
2. Katy Freeway
Surprising no one, the Katy Freeway saw over 100 accidents in 2023. As is common, many accidents occurred at intersections, which bring large numbers of vehicles together and create bottlenecks. Accidents will increase when so many cars are in a tight space and some drivers are not careful.
Accidents were common where the Freeway intersected with other roads:
- Cane Island Parkway (15 accidents)
- Farm to Market 1463 Road (20 accidents)
- Pin Oak Road (17 accidents)
However, accidents happened all up and down Katy Freeway. Given that these probably happened at high speeds, these are serious accidents.
3. Katy Fort Bend Road
There were more than 40 accidents on this road in 2023. Accidents were common at certain intersections:
- Franz Road (6 accidents)
- Colonial Parkway (4 accidents)
- Katy Freeway (8 accidents)
- Katy Mill Drive (6 accidents)
4. Kingsland Boulevard
This boulevard moves through Katy in a snake-like fashion. The state’s database showed more than a dozen accidents on Kingsland Boulevard in 2023.
What Makes Roads Dangerous?
We consider these roads dangerous because of the sheer number of accidents. Both Highway Boulevard and Katy Freeway run like arteries through the city, with thousands of people each hour racing through town.
Of course, accidents can happen anywhere in Katy. For example, 3rd Street saw 3 accidents in 2023. Helpfully, no one was injured in these accidents, but they probably caused damage to the vehicles. Other smaller roads see collisions each year.
Most accidents seem to happen at intersections. These wrecks have some common causes:
- Failure to yield. Many drivers refuse to come to a complete stop even when they see a light up ahead. Instead, they will “roll through” a light or stop sign, or even race through at high speeds.
- Driver fatigue. A tired driver will fail to stop in time even if they see a light or intersection in front of them. Delayed reflexes are common when someone is tired. Even worse, some tired drivers nod off for a split second, which is just enough time for them to crash into someone.
- Intoxication. Many drivers are also inebriated or high from drugs. They possibly can’t even see a light ahead, or their reflexes are unfortunately slowed. Some drugs encourage risky behavior.
- Speeding. The faster a driver goes, the more time they need to come to a full stop. A speeding motorists will probably end up in the intersection and collide with someone who had a green light.
Please drive carefully at any intersection, including those near off-ramps.
What to Do after a Katy Car Accident
You should first make sure to come to a complete stop and then call the police. However, you’ll need to get the cars out of the way, especially if you crashed in an intersection. Under Texas Transportation Code § 550.021, a driver shall stop “immediately” or as close to the scene as possible.
The code also states that you shall stop without obstructing traffic more than necessary. We recommend coming to a complete stop and checking with the other driver. If possible, use your phone to photograph where the vehicles ended up immediately following the accident but then pull them to the side of the road (if your car will still drive).
Once you pull to the side, swap information with the other driver, including license and registration. You also want insurance details. Every driver in Texas should have liability insurance. Ask for this information. Remember to share the same with the other driver: your license, registration, insurance, and other details.
Reporting a Car Accident
Texas also requires that you report traffic accidents. Section 550.026 of the Transportation Code requires that the person driving a car should “immediately” call the local police using the quickest method of communication. For most people, the quickest method will be using their cell phone.
This requirement applies if anyone is injured or killed in the accident. Even when no one is injured, you’ll need to immediately report if the accident disabled the car. The responding officer shall file a traffic collision report. You should get a copy and check to see that the information is entered correctly.
Injured in a Katy Accident? Call The Stano Law Firm
We have jumped in to provide cutting-edge legal representation to men and women hurt in accidents. A Katy car accident attorney with our firm can meet one-on-one to go over the facts of your case. If you hire us, we can immediately start gathering evidence to use in settlement talks. Call to schedule your free meeting.