Picture the most dangerous road in the world. Seeing rickety bridges, narrow mountainside paths, sunken terrain, iced-over descents? How about Houston?

Among the most dangerous routes in the world is Interstate 45 — a highway contained entirely in Texas that connects Dallas, Houston, Galveston, and the Gulf of Mexico.

A new study says that I-45 is one of the most dangerous roadways on the planet based on fatal car accidents per 100 miles of street. There are almost 57 fatalities per 100 miles of I-45, according to a Budget Direct analysis that identifies the world's most deadly roads. The most fatal section of I-45 is in Houston. Fatal crash contributing factors include traffic congestion and driver complacency, researchers say.

I-45, One of the Most Deadly Roads in the World

Budget Direct's list, "The Most Deadly roads in Every Country," of most dangerous roads is based on national data, accident rates, and local news reports. Among the world's roadways with the highest death rates are:

Pan-American Highway — This is the longest roadway in the world. It stretches from Alaska to Argentina. There are many sections along the PAH that are noted for danger, but the most risk appears to be in El Salvador.
Bolivia — Death Road, aka Yungas Road, La Paz
Ukraine — M-06 Kyiv-Chop
Israel — Highway 90
Bangladesh — Dhaka-Sylhet Highway (N2)
Ghana — Accra to Cape Coast Road
United Kingdom — A1010 from Tottenham to Waltham Cross, London

What Texas Is Doing To Address the Problem

Texas government is aware of the I-45 problem, which is why the North Houston Highway Improvement Project is seeking to improve the highway's faulty infrastructure.

Among the roadway's problems are a lack of lighting and a high rate of drunk driving fatalities. The NHHIP aims to reduce flooding on and off the freeway, make travel safer for all road users, preserve the neighborhoods along the corridor, and ensure accessible evacuation routes, plan boosters say. To accomplish their goals, the highway will be reconstructed from Beltway 8 to Downtown to reduce congestion, enhance safety, accommodate future demand, and improve efficiency.

The plan is controversial for many reasons. The expansion would dislocate hundreds of families and worsen air quality, plan opponents say.

Common Highway Accident Injuries

Most Texans know the risks of driving I-45. However, there are other dangerous roadways in the state. I-69 in Edinburg, for example, is often listed as the deadliest roadway in Southern Texas.

High-speed highway accidents often result in some of the most serious injuries, including:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions
Broken bones and fractures (wrist, ankles, ulna, radius, tibia, fibula, arm, leg, jaw, etc.)
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Burn injuries
Scarring and disfigurement
Back injuries (herniated discs, lumbar injuries, damage to the muscular tissue, etc.)
Neck injuries (whiplash, neck sprain, neck fracture)
Joint injuries (knee, hip, elbow, shoulder)
Abdominal pain or internal bleeding
Facial injuries
Soft tissue injuries

How an Attorney Can Help You After a Car Accident

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, it's important to recover fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages from your crash so you don't end up having to pay for these expenses out of pocket in the future. The problem is insurance companies are more interested in protecting their profits than paying you the money you're entitled to. And if you're not careful, you could end up losing out on the compensation you deserve.

As your attorney, we can help you realize the full value of your claim. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to accurately assess all of your accident-related expenses, build a strong case on your behalf, and advocate for the full amount of compensation you're allowed to recover under Texas law.

We do this work for our clients on a contingency fee basis, which means there's no upfront money needed to hire us and our legal fees are a percentage of any financial recovery we secure for you, whether that's through a negotiated settlement or by way of a court verdict. In short, we don't get paid unless we win. If we lose, you pay no legal fees. It's that easy.

See what a highly skilled car accident lawyer can do for you, and contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Proudly serving clients throughout the Rio Grande Valley and Hidalgo county, our law firm has offices in McAllen and Edinburg.