Houston Car Accident Lawyers

Houston Car Accident Statistics

Given Houstonians have an average commute time of almost 30 minutes, auto accidents are something we all see every day. In 2021, nearly every day someone lost their life on Houston streets, and close to five people suffered a serious injury in a traffic crash. The Houston Police Department reported 66,988 motor vehicle crashes leading to:

• Fatality crashes:  327 fatally injured people in 312 crashes
• Serious injury crashes:  1,595 seriously injured people in 1,394 crashes
• Minor injury crashes:  7,231 minorly injured people in 5,335 crashes
• Possible injury crashes:  21,070 possibly injured people in 13,784 crashes
• No injury crashes:  126,066 uninjured people in in 42,394 crashes
• Unknown severity crashes:  22,232 people with unknown injuries in 3,769 motor vehicle crashes

Harris County, TX Car Accident Statistics

For all of Harris County there were 114,674 reported motor vehicle crashes in 2021 leading to:

• Fatality crashes:  577 fatally injured people in 541 crashes
• Serious injury crashes:  2,927 seriously injured people in 2,489 crashes
• Minor injury crashes:  12,258 minorly injured people in 8,976 crashes
• Possible injury crashes:  29,230 possibly injured people in 19,127 crashes
• No injury crashes:  228,591 uninjured people in in 78,200 crashes
• Unknown severity crashes:  29,853 people with unknown injuries in 5,341 motor vehicle crashes

Source:  TxDOT: Crashes and Injuries Cities and Towns; Crashes and Injuries by County.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Houston, TX

According to the Houston Police, almost 60% of accidents were caused by only five negligent actions of Houston drivers in 2021. In order of highest incidence, the most commonly cited factors were:

1. Failed to control speed. Speeding caused 18,694 collisions in Houston in 2021, or 24.8% of all motor vehicle accidents.
2. Disregarded or ignored stop light or stop sign. Drivers disregarding or ignoring stop signs and lights led to 8,404 collisions (11.2% of collisions).
3. Failed to drive in a single lane. Driving in more than one lane of traffics was cited as a cause in 7,710 collisions (10.2% of all collisions).
4. Changed lane when unsafe. Unsafe lane changes were cited as a cause of 5,334 collisions (7.1% of collisions).
5. Driver inattention. Drivers simply not paying close enough attention to the vehicles and conditions around them led to 2,968 collisions (3.9% of collisions).

Top Contributing Factors to Traffic Deaths and Serious Injuries in Houston, TX

Source:  Vision Zero Annual Report 2021.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident in Houston, call Thompson Law today.

Most Dangerous Streets and Intersections in Houston, TX

Roughly 6% of streets in Houston were responsible for almost 60% of traffic deaths and serious injuries. Houston has developed a Vision Zero Action Plan to improve these high-injury roadways, but knowing these dangerous roadways can help you avoid a wreck.

Most Dangerous Highways in Houston, TX

Six highways in Houston experienced over one thousand crashes in 2021:

1. Interstate 45 (I-45):  6,712 motor vehicle wrecks
2. Interstate 610 (I-610/610 Loop):  5,078 wrecks
3. Interstate 10 (I-10):  3,849 wrecks
4. US Route 59/I-69:  3,608 wrecks
5. Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway):  2,795 wrecks
6. US-90A:  1,322 wrecks

Most Dangerous Roads and Streets in Houston, TX

Six roads in Houston experienced over 500 motor vehicle collisions in 2021:

1. Westheimer Road:  1,814 auto collisions
2. Bellaire Blvd.:  738 collisions
3. Richmond Ave.:  722 collisions
4. Bissonnet St.:  710 collisions
5. Beechnut St.:  644 collisions
6. Fondren Rd.:  520 collisions

Most Dangerous Intersections in Houston, TX

According to a recent study by students at the University of Houston, the 10 most dangerous non-freeway Houston intersections are:

1. Pease Street and Fannin Street
2. Bissonnet and Westchester
3. Main and Montrose
4. FM 1960 and W. Lake Houston Parkway
5. S. Gessner Road and Westpark Drive
6. Spencer Road and Highway 6
7. Highway 6 and Bellaire Boulevard
8. Treaschwig Road and FM 1960
9. Clay Road and Barker Cypress
10. Highway 6 and Westheimer

The red lines below represent all of the most dangerous streets and intersections in Houston.

Most Dangerous Intersections for Pedestrians and Bikers in Houston, TX

Houston partnered with the Federal Highway Administration, BikeHouston, LINK, and METRO to assess the most dangerous intersections for walkers and bikers using crash data and community feedback. Criteria were based on a variety of factors, such as the number of people walking and biking who were killed at intersections and where people felt unsafe.

1. West at Airline
2. Fannin at Pierce
3. Washington at Patterson
4. 11th Street at Nicholson
5. Bellaire from Ranchester
6. Bellaire at Gessner
7. Long Point at Gessner
8. Taylor at Spring and MKT Trail
9. Shepherd at Allen Parkway and Shepherd at Memorial Parkway
10. Hawthorne at Spur 527 and Holman
11. Fondren at West Bellfort
12. Bissonnet at Wilcrest

Source:  Houston Vision Zero.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Houston?

In the moments after a collision, it can be difficult to think clearly and make sound decisions. However, it is important to take some key steps in order to protect your safety and your rights.

Steps To Take After a Car Accident

1. Check for injuries:  Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is seriously hurt, call 911 immediately.
2. Get safe:  Move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic if it is safe to do so, or turn on your hazard lights if you cannot move the vehicle. This will help to prevent further accidents from happening.
3. Dial 911:  Emergency operators can send police to protect you, take statements, determine fault and causation, prepare a crash report, and call for an ambulance. When speaking to the police and other driver, do not admit fault or say you are not injured.
4. Exchange information:  Then, you should exchange insurance information with the other driver(s). Be sure to get their name, address, phone number, insurance ID, drivers license, VIN, and license plate.
5. Take photos:  Take photos of the damage to every vehicle involved in the accident from various distances.
6. See a doctor:  Seeing a doctor protects your physical health, as well as your injury claim. Even short delays in seeking medical attention allow the insurance company to argue you were not injured in the accident.
7. Call our accident lawyers:  Our Houston car accident lawyers offer FREE CASE REVIEWS, and have a history of obtaining excellent results.

DOs and DON'Ts After a Car Accident in Houston

Our Houston car accident lawyers have also created this infographic regarding what you should – and shouldn’t – do after an accident.

How Can a Houston Car Accident Lawyer Help?

Our Houston car accident lawyers are here to support you every step of the way. Call us today so we can get started on your case. During your free consultation, we will ask questions to better understand the unique details of your accident.

Our Houston car accident lawyers can help with:

• Gathering eyewitness statements
• Taking your account of events
• Helping you find medical care
• Obtaining your Houston crash report
• Collecting photos of property damage and the crash site
• Alerting the defendant’s insurance company of your legal representation
• Obtaining past and present medical records
• Writing a demand letter to the insurance company
• Negotiating with the insurance company
• Representing you at trial, if necessary

Our Houston car accident lawyers know how devastating a car crash can be for you and your family. Our auto injury attorneys are here to discuss the details of your case so you can understand your rights, and let you focus on healing and recovery.

Injuries Commonly Sustained in Houston Car Accidents

Seeking medical treatment soon after an accident is important to protect your health and your personal injury claim. Understanding the symptoms of some of these injuries can also help make you aware of what is happening when listening to your body after an accident.

Some common injuries our Houston car accident lawyers see after auto accidents include:

• Head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) like concussions:  A concussion is a TBI injury resulting from a blow to the head or rapid acceleration-deceleration that causes the brain to move around inside the skull. Symptoms of a concussion can include headache, nausea, dizziness, and confusion. Concussions can also cause more serious problems, such as memory loss, mild cognitive impairment, and even coma.
• Spinal column injuries
  • Neck injuries, like whiplash:  Whiplash is a type of neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly and forcefully jerked forward or backward. The resulting motion can damage the muscles, ligaments, and vertebrae in the neck. Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
  • Back injuries, such as:
    • Spinal cord injuries (SCI):  When the spinal cord is injured, the messages it sends to the body are interrupted, leading to a loss of function. A complete SCI means that there is a total loss of function below the level of the injury, whereas an incomplete SCI means that there is some degree of function.
    • Paralysis injuries (e.g., paraplegia and quadriplegia/tetraplegia):  Paralysis is the temporary or permanent loss of muscle function in one or more limbs. Causes of paralysis in car accidents include spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and nerve damage. Symptoms include muscle weakness, loss of sensation, and changes in skin color.
    • Facet joint injury:  A facet joint injury is damage that can occur to the small, delicate joints that connect the bones of the spine. A facet joint injury can cause severe pain and stiffness, and it may require injections, nerve ablation, or surgery to repair.
    • Disc injuries:  The discs in our spine act as cushions between the vertebrae, and when they become damaged or displaced it can put pressure on the nerves and cause pain. Symptoms a damaged or herniated disc, include pain and numbness in the arms, hands, legs, and feet.
• Joint injuries
  • Knee injuries, such as:
    • Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury:  The PCL is a strong band of tissue that connects the bones in the back of your knee joint to help keep your knee stable and prevent it from hyperextending. PCL injuries are often caused by a direct blow to the front of the knee, such as during a car accident. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee joint.
    • Meniscus tear:  The meniscus is a type of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the bones in the knee. Meniscus injuries can be very painful and can cause swelling, popping, locking, and stiffness in the knee.
  • Shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff injuries:  The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach the shoulder blade to the upper arm bone and help lift the arm. Symptoms include pain and weakness in the shoulder, as well as a loss of range of motion.
  • Wrist and hand injuries:  The sudden impact of a collision can cause the hands and wrists to bend forcefully, leading to a variety of hand and wrist injuries, such as strains, sprains, and fractures.
  • Hip injuries, most typically a torn labrum.
• Internal injuries
• Skin injuries
  • Abrasions, such as “road rash”
  • Bruising
  • Lacerations
  • Puncture wounds
  • Burn injuries
• Fractured bones
• Amputation injuries
• Wrongful death

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Houston auto accident, call our Houston accident lawyers today for a FREE CASE REVIEW.