Two separate crashes on Interstate 35 near New Braunfels brought traffic to a crawl on Wednesday afternoon, November 26, creating significant delays for travelers navigating one of Texas's busiest corridors. The first collision was reported at 1:29 p.m. on I-35 North near the TX-46 interchange at Exit 189, a heavily traveled junction serving the rapidly expanding New Braunfels area. The crash triggered congestion that extended several miles southward to FM 337 Loop at Exit 184, adding up to 30 minutes to normal travel times as northbound traffic ground to a standstill. Emergency responders worked to clear the scene, and the roadway reopened by approximately 2:40 p.m. However, just as the first incident was being resolved, a second crash occurred at 2:25 p.m. on I-35 South at FM 337 Loop/Exit 184. This collision compounded the afternoon's traffic woes, with stop-and-go conditions backing vehicles up to Walnut Avenue at Exit 186 and creating an additional 10-minute delay for southbound travelers. The back-to-back incidents highlighted the challenges of managing traffic flow on this critical transportation artery during the busy holiday travel period.

Location and Infrastructure

Interstate 35 through New Braunfels represents one of the most heavily traveled corridors in Central Texas, serving as the primary route between San Antonio and Austin while accommodating local traffic in one of the state's fastest-growing regions. The TX-46 interchange at Exit 189 functions as a major arterial junction, directing traffic toward New Braunfels' expanding commercial and residential developments on the city's north side. The FM 337 Loop area at Exit 184, where the second crash occurred, serves as another key access point for local traffic entering and exiting the interstate. This stretch of I-35 experiences particularly high traffic volumes, especially during afternoon hours and holiday travel periods, with multiple exits in close proximity creating frequent merging and lane-change movements. The proximity of these exits—spanning just five miles between Exit 184 and Exit 189—means that incidents in this zone can quickly cascade into extended delays as congestion spreads between interchanges.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Texas law holds drivers responsible for maintaining safe following distances and adjusting their speed to traffic conditions, as outlined in the Texas Transportation Code. When crashes occur on interstate highways, liability typically depends on factors such as driver negligence, traffic violations, distracted driving, or failure to maintain control of a vehicle. Victims of traffic accidents in Texas may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Under Texas law, injured parties generally have two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury claim, as specified by the statute of limitations. Multi-vehicle accidents on busy highways can involve complex liability determinations, particularly when chain-reaction collisions occur in congested conditions. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning that injured parties can recover damages as long as they are not more than 50% at fault for the accident. Insurance considerations in interstate crashes may involve multiple carriers and policy types, including liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, and personal injury protection. 

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• New Braunfels Police Department: (830) 221-4100
• New Braunfels Fire Department: (830) 221-4150
• Comal County Sheriff's Office: (830) 620-3400

Traffic and Safety Information:

• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) San Antonio District: (210) 615-5800
• DriveTexas.org - Real-time traffic conditions and alerts
• Texas Highway Patrol: (830) 387-2800

Support Services:

• Comal County Victim Services: (830) 221-1301
• CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital - New Braunfels: (830) 606-9111
• Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line: 1-800-252-3439

Legal and Regulatory Information:

• Texas Transportation Code: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm
• Texas Department of Insurance: www.tdi.texas.gov
• Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Crash Reports: www.txdmv.gov