How Many Car Accidents Occur in Texas?

Every year, hundreds of thousands of Texans are hurt in car wrecks and other auto-related calamities. There was an accident in Texas every 61 seconds in 2015, according to the state's transportation department. According to local accident statistics, a significant number of these mishaps likely arise from careless and pointless maneuvers behind the wheel.

There is a disproportionately high number of fatal car accidents in Texas, and many of them may be traced back to avoidable factors including driver inattention, impaired driving, and excessive speed. Yet, there are many additional data points that need to be considered in evaluating the frequency of car accidents in Texas and their major causes.

Texas's Vehicle Crash Facts

Increased accident rates have been seen in certain major urban centers. Between forty thousand and seventy thousand vehicle accidents occur annually in Houston. However, in recent years, more people in Houston have been hurt in car accidents than anywhere else in Texas.

Traffic experts estimate that over 10 people lose their lives in automobile accidents in Houston every week. When it comes to automotive accidents, speeding is a leading cause of death and serious injury. Many car accidents occur because one or more drivers were acting carelessly or unexpectedly.

The city admits it does not have enough law enforcement to deter reckless driving, despite being classified as having the worst drivers from 2001 to 2019.

However, Dallas has Texas' worst accident rate for cars. Dallas, Texas is the tenth most populated city in the USA. Although being smaller than both Houston and San Antonio, Dallas has one of the highest accident rates in the state. According to statistics, 228 people were murdered on Dallas's roads in 2017. Furthermore, there is a higher than average number of deadly car accidents in Dallas. Dallas has seen an eighty percent rise in traffic deaths in the past decade.

Fatal Drunk Driving Accidents in Texas

In Texas, alcohol use before the wheel has always been the leading cause of deadly car crashes. The Center for Promoting Alcohol Responsibility reports that 1,446 people lost their lives in Texas in 2014 due to alcohol-related accidents. In addition, this figure represents around 40% of all road fatalities in the state. As a comparison, in 2014, roughly 30% of all traffic deaths were caused by drunk drivers throughout the country.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving claims that in 2015, Texas passed a law requiring ignition interlock devices to be installed in the vehicles of all DUI offenders. The most current research conducted by transportation authorities suggests this might significantly cut recidivism and associated accidents. Yet, this may not be enough to deal with the threat posed by career criminals and those who have committed crimes before without being caught.

Top Causes of Lone Star State Wrecks

Many fatal accidents in Texas may be attributed to excessive speeding. The Texas Department of Transportation estimates that in 2015 there were roughly 17,000 incidents involving vehicles operating at dangerous speeds or in excess of the posted limit. There were 398 fatalities and more than 3,300 injuries from these accidents. More than 3,000 people were injured and more than 160 were killed because drivers were either too reckless or unable to manage their speed to prevent crashes in the additional 30,000 incidents.

While speeding is seldom the direct cause of accidents in Texas, it may certainly play a role in the severity of any resulting harm. By traveling at greater speeds, drivers have less time to react to dangers and less control over their cars, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In addition to releasing a greater amount of energy, collisions at high speeds also increase the probability of structural damage to cars, human injury, and other dire outcomes.

It's also important to note that driving while distracted or without paying attention is a major factor. More than 105,000 traffic accidents in Texas in 2015 were caused by drivers who were distracted by their phones, according to statistics released by the Texas Department of Transportation. At least 10,000 people were injured due to careless driving, however only around 2,500 of them required permanent disability. Tragically, 422 lives were lost as a direct consequence of these catastrophes.

The most recent statistics provided by local authorities indicates that roughly one out of every five accidents in Texas involve distracted driving. For decades, governments at the state level have tried and failed to outlaw the widespread use of mobile phones while driving due to the dangers posed by distracted drivers.

Distracted driving seems to be a widespread problem throughout the state, despite the fact that certain municipalities have outlawed cell phone use while driving.

Call a Dallas Vehicle Crash Lawyer

Thousands upon thousands of households in our state are impacted by automobile accidents every year. Although while some incidents only cause minor injuries, others leave their victims permanently disabled and in excruciating agony.

If you've been hurt in an accident, you need to act quickly to protect your rights; otherwise, you might lose out on compensation you're entitled to.

Calling a Dallas car accident attorney as soon as possible is crucial if you are dealing with the aftermath of a serious automobile crash. Possible compensation is available to help you meet your anticipated financial obligations.

Rasansky Law Group's vehicle accident lawyers in Texas have spent the better part of the last three decades helping people recover from accidents brought on by reckless driving. In the courtroom, our clients may put their faith in the advice of our highly trained and well-renowned legal team. We're available right away to review the details of your accident and assess your legal options.

Our lawyers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 214-651-6100 to discuss your rights and alternatives after an automobile accident in Texas, free of charge.