Car Accidents

The Safest Forms Of Transportation

The various modes of transportation in the United States, and particularly in Texas, offer a wide selection for those who have the means to access them, but recent data indicates those modes of transportation may be inverted in public perception in terms of safety. For instance, thousands of people die every year as a result of motor vehicle collisions but these instances are not well covered by the media.  This is mostly because they occur so often they are determined by media to be “not newsworthy”.  Alternatively, far fewer individuals are injured or killed due to airplane or train crashes but these occurrences are heavily followed and focused upon by the national and local news media making them appear more proliferate than they are in reality.  In turn, the public’s perception is often very skewed regarding the dangers associated with each form of travel and people often make uninformed decisions when making their travel plans.

When it comes to modes of travel and transportation in and around Austin, individuals have various options. From rail travel to airlines to highways to boats, there are many types of transportation available to locals and residents alike. However, with all of these transportation options comes the possibility of accidents and injuries. Also, when choosing a mode of transportation, it is important to keep in mind that some types of transportation are safer than others. 

Even when individuals go with the safest types of transportation available, they can still suffer injuries in an accident. When that happens, it is important to have knowledgeable and skilled legal counsel on your side advocating for your interests. 

The experienced Austin personal injury lawyers at TK Injury Lawyers can assist you with filing a personal injury claim against a person or entity who was at fault for your accident – and against that person’s insurance company. Please speak with us today to learn more about how we could help you with your Austin personal injury legal matter. 

1. Airplane Safety

Airplanes are by far the safest mode of transportation when the number of transported passengers are measured against personal injuries and fatality totals, even though all plane crashes generally receive some form of media attention. Commercial planes are by far the safest, with most accidents occurring in taxi or private aircraft mishaps. The problem with air travel is that passengers rarely survive a plane crash. Many times pilot error can result in an accident, as well as mechanical malfunction, but weather conditions may be the cause of most small aircraft accidents.  Regardless, although rare, injuries sustained in airplane crashes are almost always catastrophic.

Of the various modes of transportation available in and around Austin, Texas, airline travel is the safest by far. Flying high in the air, a high-speed jet does not need to worry about other vehicles operated by irresponsible drivers. Still, if an accident victim suffers an injury in an airline accident, he or she may be able to assert a claim against the airline’s insurer for monetary compensation and damages. 

2. Train Safety

The recent Amtrak crash in Philadelphia has brought new attention to safety considerations for those choosing a passenger train for transportation, with various problems within the industry being highlighted by the intense television and print coverage. The truth is that trains are generally a safe and highly reliable form of transportation. Both the railroad companies and government alike take special care to ensure passenger safety. The numbers in terms of personal injury and fatalities due to train accidents show this form of transportation to be one of the safest methods of commuting.

Like airline travel, rail travel is also a relatively safe mode of transportation in Austin. In addition, individual railroad companies and the government enforce various regulations to keep train travel as safe as possible at all times. Sometimes, however, train accidents still occur when train operators drive in an unsafe manner. Train accidents and injuries can also result when train equipment, such as seats, are not designed in the proper manner. If a train passenger is injured as a result, he or she might be able to file a products liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor. 

3. Bus Travel

Bus travel is considered four times safer than taking a train and fifty times safer than riding in a passenger vehicle. The most recent statistics released by the United States Department of Transportation listed 35 occupant fatalities on buses, compared to 12,355 passenger vehicle fatalities in the same year.

Buses offer an efficient way to transport large groups of people. However, since a bus is much heavier than a passenger car, a bus crash often results in more casualties. Although the media coverage of the two recent bus crashes reported in Turkey is daunting, bus travel remains the safest mode of transportation next to air transportation.

Bus accidents are often the result of either the bus driver or another driver’s negligence. The top causes of bus accidents have been linked to driver fatigue, inadequate training, and distracted driving. If you or a loved one have been a victim of a bus accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. It is wise to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

4. Boat Travel

Boat transportation has seen significant improvements in recent years. Recreational boating carries more risk than mainstream boating transportation. In 2021, the United States Coast Guard counted 4,439 recreational boating accidents, resulting in 658 deaths.

Even with technological advancements, boating accidents can still occur. Depending on the circumstances, a victim or their family could file a claim against the boat’s operator, owner, manufacturer, or cruise line company.

A Note About Cars

You might notice that cars are not on the list of the safest forms of transportation. This is because there are thousands of car crashes each year in Texas, causing serious injuries to many people in the state and across the United States. Most injury claims from transportation involve cars, trucks, or related vehicles, and our attorneys regularly help clients with car accident claims. Cars are the most common form of transportation, meaning that many people must pursue legal claims following a crash and injuries.

General Highway Safety

The open roadways are by far the most dangerous place to travel in the United States, and particularly in Texas. The state is home to a booming economy that requires a major concentration of big-rig, semi-truck traffic, making highways very dangerous for all passenger vehicles. This is especially true for motorcycles in Texas, as there is a huge number of cyclists in the state and accidents involving motorcycle riders rarely end well.

Of the various types of transportation available in and around Austin, highway travel is by far the most dangerous. This is because some drivers have a tendency to engage in road rage and operate their vehicles in an unsafe, careless, and reckless manner. They do this by violating traffic laws, tailgating, and unsafely weaving in and out of traffic on busy highways and roadways. If you have been injured in a highway traffic accident, you might be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s motor vehicle insurance company. 

Despite the inherent safety and precautions taken in traveling by any mode of transportation, accidents and serious injuries do occur.  When such an occurrence arises, you need sound advice and representation. If you are in need of an Austin personal injury attorney do not hesitate in contacting the personal injury professionals at TK Injury Lawyers in their Austin office.  Let us evaluate your case and see if we can help you recover the justice you deserve.