Merging lanes or entering a freeway like I-45 in Texas can be nerve wracking at times. Even when you know that stretch of freeway well and travel it frequently, other drivers may not know it as well as you and hit you when changing lanes or when entering the freeway from a ramp.
Generally, it is fairly obvious who caused the merging accident, but you must still have sufficient evidence to prove who caused any injuries to you and other occupants of your vehicle as well as any damage to your own vehicle. You are advised to use a personal injury attorney to help you if you intend filing a claim for compensation after a merging accident on I-45.
Interstate 45 in Texas
I-45 stretches a mere 285 miles, wholly within Texas, from Dallas to Houston then on to Galveston. Like many other well known freeways, I-45 has alternative names on particular stretches. For example, in Houston, the raised portion of I-45 is known as the Pierce Elevated, while the stretch of I-45 between Houston and Galveston is known as the Gulf Freeway.
I-45 was also nicknamed the “Parking Lot” during the aftermath of Hurricane Rita in 2005 when the interstate became clogged with traffic, the gas stations ran dry and escaping traffic slowed to a standstill.
What to Do If Hit While Merging On I-45
If you were hit when merging on I-45, the first priority should be to get medical treatment. If you believe that the driver who hit you was at fault, then you may be able to obtain compensation from that driver’s insurer through a personal injury claim.
Texas has a modified form of the comparative negligence ruling that means you must be less than 50% at fault to obtain any compensation, but any percentage less than 50% will allow you to obtain compensation proportional to your amount of fault.
Evidence to Gather If Hit While Merging On I-45
You will need evidence to show who hit you and that he or she was at fault if you are to obtain compensation in a personal injury claim. Evidence can take several forms, such as:
- witness statements by people who saw the merging accident;
- photos of the crash scene;
- mechanic’s report and invoice for vehicle repair;
- police report, especially if injuries were serious;
- medical report of your own injuries;
- bills for treatment related to your injuries;
- wage slips to show your time off work and how much you may have lost in earnings.
Hire an Attorney
A personal injury attorney will increase your chances of obtaining a successful compensation payment. If your injuries are likely to last a long time and you will need ongoing treatment and support it is essential that these costs are taken into account and calculated carefully. Your attorney can help work these components of a claim out and negotiate skillfully with the at-fault driver’s insurer. In most cases, you will not have to pay up front for a personal injury attorney.
