Common Causes of Car Accidents in Texas
Car accidents are a significant concern in Texas, with thousands of people suffering serious injuries each year. Understanding the common causes of these accidents helps with both prevention and determining liability in personal injury cases. We’ll explore the main reasons contributing to car accidents, their legal implications, and steps you can take to stay safe on the road
The crash statistics report from TxDOT1 states that there were more than 15,800 people who sustained serious injuries from car crashes in a recent year. Establishing the cause of car accidents is a crucial step in figuring out who should be held liable for injuries and losses. With help from our experienced Plano car accident attorney, you can hold a negligent party liable for the car accident that resulted in your injuries.
Road safety remains a critical concern in Texas, affecting millions of residents and visitors each year. This comprehensive analysis, based on the latest data from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), provides an authoritative overview of the state’s traffic safety landscape in 2023. By examining these statistics, we can better understand the challenges we face and the progress we’ve made in creating safer roads for all Texans.
Key Findings from the 2023 TxDOT Report
Overall Fatality and Injury Statistics
- The fatality rate on Texas roadways decreased to 1.45 deaths per hundred million vehicle miles traveled, a 4.10% reduction from 2022.
- Total traffic fatalities decreased by 2.81%, from 4,407 in 2022 to 4,283 in 2023.
- There were 15,219 serious injury crashes, resulting in 18,752 people sustaining serious injuries.
- 250,335 persons were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes.
Specific Types of Crashes and Fatalities
- Rural areas accounted for 52.84% of the state’s traffic fatalities, with 2,263 deaths.
- Single vehicle, run-off the road crashes caused 1,368 deaths, representing 31.94% of all motor vehicle traffic deaths.
- Intersection-related crashes resulted in 1,120 fatalities.
- Head-on collisions claimed 635 lives.
Vulnerable Road Users
- Pedestrian fatalities decreased slightly (0.98%) to 807.
- Pedal cyclist fatalities increased by 15.38% to 105.
- 599 motorcyclists were killed, with 40% not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
Impaired and Distracted Driving
- Alcohol-related crashes accounted for 25.45% of all traffic fatalities, with 1,090 people killed.
- Distracted driving crashes resulted in 403 fatalities, a significant 17.25% decrease from 2022.
Time and Location Factors
- Saturday, September 9th, was the deadliest day with 25 fatalities.
- June and August were the deadliest months, each with 390 fatalities.
- More DUI-Alcohol crashes occurred between 2:00 AM and 2:59 AM than any other hour, with Sunday being the most common day for these incidents.
Safety Measures and Road Use
- 48.89% of fatally injured vehicle occupants were not wearing restraints when the crash occurred.
- Annual vehicle miles traveled increased by 1.34% to 294.785 billion miles.
Implications for Road Safety
These statistics underscore the ongoing challenges in Texas road safety while highlighting some areas of improvement. The decrease in overall fatalities and the fatality rate is encouraging, as is the reduction in distracted driving deaths. However, the high percentage of unrestrained fatalities, the increase in cyclist deaths, and the persistent issue of alcohol-related crashes indicate areas requiring continued focus and intervention.
In the following sections, we’ll explore the common causes of car accidents in Texas in more detail, discussing their legal implications and offering prevention strategies based on these latest statistics.
Distracted Driving
Engaging in activities that divert attention from driving, such as texting, talking on a cellphone, eating, doing makeup, shaving, or adjusting the radio.
Legal Implications: Distracted driving can be considered negligence, potentially making the driver liable for damages in a personal injury case.
Statistics In 2023, nearly one in six crashes on Texas roads were caused by a distracted driver in which 399 people died and 2,793 were seriously injured (source: TxDOT).
Prevention Tips:
- Put your phone away while driving
- Use hands-free devices if necessary
- Avoid eating or grooming while driving
Reckless Driving
Driving behaviors that demonstrate a willful disregard for safety, including excessive speeding, tailgating, or weaving through traffic.
Legal Implications: Reckless driving is often considered gross negligence, which can lead to more severe penalties and higher damage awards in civil cases.
Statistics: Reckless driving contributed to 1,522 fatal accidents in Texas in 2021 was the second deadliest year on Texas roads in the state’s history (source: TxDOT).
Prevention Tips:
- Always follow traffic laws
- Maintain a safe following distance
- Be patient and courteous to other drivers
Road Rage
Aggressive or angry behavior directed at other drivers, including verbal insults, dangerous driving maneuvers, or physical threats.
Legal Implications: Road rage incidents can lead to both civil liability and criminal charges, depending on the severity of the behavior.
Prevention Tips:
- Practice stress-management techniques
- Avoid engaging with aggressive drivers
- Report dangerous driving to authorities
Speeding
Speeding (driving above the posted speed limit or too fast for road conditions) is actually deemed an aggressive driving behavior that could lead to devastating high-speed collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Legal Implications: Speeding is a clear violation of traffic laws and can be strong evidence of negligence in a personal injury case.
Statistics: In 2020, speeding was a factor in 29% of traffic fatalities in Texas (NHTSA).
Prevention Tips:
- Always obey posted speed limits
- Adjust your speed for weather and road conditions
- Leave early to avoid rushing.
Drunk Driving
Anyone, regardless of driving experience, who drinks alcohol and then drives, will suffer from reduced alertness and reaction time as well as compromised vision and thinking. Yes, people make stupid mistakes, but some of those seemingly harmless mistakes could lead to other people suffering catastrophic and life-changing injuries or death.
Legal Implications: DUI/DWI is a serious offense that can result in criminal charges and significant civil liability.
Statistics: In 2020, there were 958 DUI-alcohol related fatalities in Texas (source: TxDOT).
Prevention Tips:
- Never drink and drive
- Use a designated driver or ride-sharing service
- If hosting, provide non-alcoholic options for guests
Vehicle Defects
Cars that have defective parts or some kind of defect can malfunction and cause a car accident. In this case, you can hold the car manufacturer and/or other entities that are part of the distribution chain liable for your damages.
Legal Implications: These cases may involve product liability claims against manufacturers or distributors.
Prevention Tips:
- Regularly maintain your vehicle
- Respond promptly to recall notices
- Have your car inspected by a professional periodically
Road Defects
Inadequate or poor road maintenance can cause all sorts of car accidents. If you’ve been injured due to a road defect or hazard, you may be able to claim compensation from the maintenance or construction company and/or the road owner, which is usually a government entity.
Legal Implications: These cases may involve claims against government entities or contractors responsible for road maintenance.
Prevention Tips:
- Stay alert for road hazards
- Report dangerous road conditions to local authorities
- Adjust driving for poor road conditions
Road Construction
Road constructions are vital to ensuring the safety of roadways. However, construction sites could become just as hazardous as bad or poorly maintained roads. Whether you’ve been injured due to human errors in construction or maintenance, confusing warning signage, or poor road design, you may pursue compensation for your losses from the liable party.
Contact an Experienced Plano Car Accident Attorney Today
Here at The Law Office of Joel M. Vecchio, P.C., we are fully aware of how car accidents can negatively impact a person’s life, and we aim to give injured victims the justice they truly deserve. To arrange your free claim evaluation with our experienced Plano car accident attorney, call (972) 381-4610 or contact us online.