Crashes at Westheimer & Gessner.

Why this intersection is dangerous

A densely commercial corridor handling tens of thousands of vehicles per day. Multiple lanes in each direction, constant turning traffic, short signal cycles, and frequent jaywalking combine for a dangerous mix. Drivers often accelerate to beat red lights because yellow phases feel short.

Crash patterns our attorneys see at this intersection

Side-impact collisions during peak hours are the dominant crash type. Pedestrian crossings are poorly marked despite heavy foot traffic, leading to pedestrian strikes. Abrupt lane changes near the intersection cause sideswipes.

Common injury types

T-bone impacts produce severe injuries including rib fractures, pelvic injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Pedestrian injuries at this intersection are often catastrophic given vehicle speeds.

Evidence that needs to be preserved — fast

Surveillance video is abundant — strip centers, gas stations, and drive-thrus all have exterior cameras pointed at the intersection. Local tow-truck drivers consider this one of their busiest zones, suggesting ongoing records of crash patterns.

Every injury case is stronger when evidence is locked down early. We send preservation letters to every business within line-of-sight of the crash, request dashcam footage from rideshare platforms, subpoena traffic engineering records where relevant, and obtain the Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (CR-3) as soon as it becomes available through TxDOT's Crash Records Information System.

What to do right now if you were injured here

• Get medical care even if you feel okay — adrenaline masks injuries, and gaps in treatment are the #1 argument insurance companies use to reduce claims.
• Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without an attorney. You are not legally required to.
• Do not sign a release or accept a quick settlement offer in the first days or weeks. Early offers are almost always far below case value, and signed releases are permanent.
• Document everything: photos of the vehicles, the intersection, debris, skid marks, traffic signals, weather, and any visible injuries.
• Call an attorney before insurance pressure builds. Consultations are free — a bad early statement costs tens of thousands in recovery.

Texas law that will shape your case

Two-year statute of limitations

Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003, most personal-injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of injury. Claims against government entities — for example, if a signal malfunction is part of the case — can require notice in as little as 90 days under the City of Houston charter. Read our full statute of limitations guide →

Modified comparative fault — the 51% bar

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule: if you are 50% or less at fault, you recover damages reduced by your fault percentage. At 51% or more, you recover nothing. Insurance adjusters push fault onto victims aggressively to trigger the 51% cliff. How the 51% bar works →

Stacking coverage beyond the at-fault driver's policy

At high-volume intersections like Westheimer & Gessner, catastrophic injuries frequently exceed the at-fault driver's minimum Texas liability limits (30/60/25). Our firm maps every potentially available policy — the at-fault driver's personal policy, any employer coverage if the driver was on the job, commercial umbrellas, your own UM/UIM coverage, and in drunk-driver cases, potential dram shop liability against bars that over-served.

---

Information on this page about crash patterns and frequency at this intersection is drawn from publicly available sources including the Texas Department of Transportation Crash Records Information System (CRIS), City of Houston ARC-GIS data, Houston-Galveston Area Council reports, and widely-reported news coverage. This page is general information, not legal advice for your specific case.