Fatal pedestrian accident in Dallas may have more than 1 cause

A fatal accident in Dallas on Tuesday took the life of a 34-year-old woman in the prime of her life. The woman had just started her own side business, enjoyed playing the violin and was getting ready for a workout when a drunk driver slammed into her parked car.

The 34-year-old was leaning into the back seat of her parked car, while standing on the curb. The driver of the other vehicle, a 23-year-old man, was allegedly intoxicated and speeding when he slammed into her car, knocking her into a pole. She was taken to Parkland Hospital and later died.

While it is clear that the driver of the second vehicle is no doubt at fault in this accident, a Dallas city councilman believes the street in this area of town is partially to blame. The accident occurred on McKinney Avenue, which he claims is incorrectly designed. It is a long one-way street with multiple lanes. According to the councilman, regardless of what the speed limit is, it is designed in a way where high-speed traffic is inevitable, and he would like to see it changed.

The young DUI driver cannot, however, blame his reckless behavior on the poorly designed road. He currently remains in jail on a $50,000 bond.

Poor road design has, however, in many fatal car accidents, been the root cause of the accident. Things such as poor visibility, dangerous intersections, improper markings, potholes, drop-offs or other hazards can cause auto accidents. When serious injury or death results from these accidents, the victims or victim’s families may be able to hold the city, county or state responsible, especially if the problem was known and nothing was done to correct it.