According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2021: 1 car accident occurred every 57 seconds, 1 person was injured every 2 minutes and 12 seconds, and 1 person was killed every 1 hour and 57 minutes. Texas is among the top five states with the highest number of car accidents. Texas car accident statistics show that every year, more than 500,000 car crashes are reported. Despite the reduced number of passenger vehicles on the road during the Covid-19 pandemic, car accident fatalities and collisions increased significantly in 2020 and 2021.
Texas car accident statistics show that Texas has not had a single day without a car accident since November 7, 2000. The sad truth is that many of the accidents involve injuries and sometimes fatalities. They disrupt the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of Texas residents.
Can you get compensated by the party at fault if you’re involved in an accident? Yes, you can hire a personal injury lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve. The attorney will file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver or their insurance company on your behalf.
In 2021, there was no deathless day on Texas roadways. If you ever find yourself in a car accident, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyers at Thompson Law. We are fully licensed, have vast hands-on experience and will do everything possible to ensure you get justice.
Texas Car Accidents Statistics and Facts
Car accidents are the most common type of auto accident reported in Texas. They range from minor crashes to fatal collisions. Here are some Texas car accident statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
- In 2021, 239,539 people were injured in car traffic crashes.
- One person lost their life every 1 hour 57 minutes on Texas roads in 2021
- >One person was injured every 2 minutes and 12 seconds on Texas roads in 2021
- At least one crash was reported every 57 seconds in 2021
- The average fatality rate on Texas roads in 2021 was 1.56 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. This figure increased by 4.17% from 2020 statistics.
- The death toll in 2021 from car traffic accidents increased by 15.22% from 2020.
- Road accidents in rural areas accounted for 51.04% of all reported traffic fatalities.
- Between 2020 and 2021, crashes due to cars running off the road increased by 34.53%. A total of 1,550 deaths were reported.
- Pedestrian fatalities increased by 15.24% between 2020 and 2021.
- Pedal-cyclist fatalities increased by 13.92% between 2020 and 2021
Top 8 Causes of Car Accidents in Texas
The above Texas car accident statistics from TxDOT are shocking. More needs to be done by the government and relevant law enforcement agencies to reverse the trend. Here is an overview of Texas’s top 8 causes of car accidents.
Drunk Driving
In 2021, 24% of all traffic deaths in Texas resulted from drunk driving. A quick calculation shows that this is equivalent to one person dying every 8 hours and 15 minutes. The total number of drunk-driving traffic crashes was 25,261. Most DUI accidents in Texas occur between 2.00 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Sundays than on all other days of the week.Â
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving accidents occur when the driver tries to do other tasks, such as texting, receiving calls, loud music, eating, and grooming while driving. In 2021, one in every five car accidents in Texas was caused by distracted driving. The number of fatalities due to distracted driving increased by 17.34% between 2020 and 2021.Â
Drugged Driving
Unlike other states, such as California, marijuana is still illegal in Texas. Nonetheless, some drivers still use cannabis and other drugs before getting behind the wheel or when driving. These drugs impair their judgment and ability to control the car.Â
Road Rage
Road rage is dangerous driving behavior that results in injuries and in some instances loss of life. It occurs when the driver gets agitated by other road users and makes irrational decisions. If another driver harasses you on the road and rams your car, you can sue them for gross negligence and personal injuries sustained from the accident.
Unsafe Left Turns
Most drivers find it challenging to take left turns. Texas car accident statistics show that unprotected left turns in Texas resulted in more than 21,000 car crashes and 100 fatalities in 2021. Nationally, unprotected left turns accounted for 10% of all reported minor car crashes and 20% of all car crash fatalities.Â
Faulty Evasive Action
Evasive action is a panic-triggered response to an imminent car crash. Approximately 19,000 car crashes in Texas every year result from faulty evasive action. The drivers often swerve as they try to avoid the accident. As a result, they confuse the cars behind, resulting in multiple crashes. Research shows that four out of ten drivers who swerve to avoid an accident end up causing a crash.Â
Over Speeding
25% of car crashes in Texas are a result of over-speeding. The thrill of driving on the freeways often lures drivers to intentionally or unintentionally exceed the speed limit. The risk of high-speed crashes resulting in loss of life is high due to the energy behind the collision/impact.
Debris Crashes
37% of deaths in debris car crashes resulted from the driver swerving to avoid hitting debris or an object on the road. The drivers often react too late and thus lose control of the vehicle.
One in every three car crashes involving debris occurs between 10 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. During this time of the day, people are on the road or sidewalks hauling heavy items such as construction equipment and machines. These kinds of car crashes are more common on interstate highways.Â
How Many Car Accidents Occur in Dallas?
Dallas has the highest number of car accidents in the entire Texas state. Even though Dallas is smaller than San Antonio and Houston, most people say it’s home to the worst drivers. Here are the 2021 Dallas car accident statistics:
- 206 fatal crashesÂ
- 227 fatalities out of the 35,355 crashesÂ
- 1,284 people sustained severe injuriesÂ
- 2,626 unknown severity crashes
- 13,010 people with unknown injuries
- 3,928 non-incapacitating crashes resulted in 5,333 non-incapacitating injuries
Between 2010 and 2021, the number of traffic deaths on Dallas roads increased by 80%.
How Many Car Accidents are Reported in Houston Each Year?
In 2021, traffic deaths increased by 20% to reach 330 in Houston. This figure is higher than in other major Texas cities, such as:
- Dallas – 234 deaths
- San Antonio – 188 deaths
- Fort Worth – 131 deaths
- Austin – 117 deaths
Some of the leading causes of auto accidents in Houston, Texas, are;
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Over speeding
- Tailgating
- Automotive defects
- Failure to yield
- Poorly maintained or designed roads
When is the Most Dangerous Time to Drive on Texas Roads?
Your risk of getting involved in an accident is mildly dependent on the time of the day and season. Most car accidents in Texas occur between 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. The high number of drunk drivers on the road and limited visibility increases the risk of an accident occurring.
Texas car accident statistics show that the number of auto crashes spikes on weekends (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays). Most weekend accidents are caused by drunk driving.Â
Texas car accident statistics show that during fall and summer, the number of car accidents increases across Texas. At this time of the year, experienced motorists and teen drivers spend most of their free time on the road.
That said, you can find yourself in a car accident even if you adhere to all traffic rules and do everything right. It doesn’t matter the time of the day or the road you are driving on in Texas. If you are involved in a car accident, its highly recommendable to contact a respected personal injury lawyer to know your legal options and rights.Â
How Much Can Someone Sue for a Car Accident in Texas?
Well, every car accident is different. Two primary factors that come into play when determining the ideal compensation amount are the injuries sustained and the details of the collision.Â
The minimum is $30,000 for bodily injury to one person and $60,000 for bodily injury to more than one person. The minimum property damage is $25,000. Other damages you can sue for include;
- Loss of earning potential
- Lost wages due to inability to work
- Emotional distress damages
- Present and future medical expenses
- Punitive damages due to gross negligence of the at-fault party
Contact a reputable personal injury lawyer to help you evaluate your case and file the claim. Otherwise, trying to wing everything solo could result in you losing the case or getting low compensation.Â
At Thompson Law, we are fully committed to ensuring you get fully compensated. Your case will be assigned a dedicated personal injury lawyer to evaluate it and help you file the claim. we don’t charge upfront fees; you only pay if we win the case. Contact us today for a free and non-obligatory case evaluation.Â
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