Texas Car Accident Statistics

Many Texas drivers can attest to the fact that the state’s highways are some of the most dangerous in the country. There are more than 675,580 miles of highway in Texas, so it should come as no surprise that serious, often fatal accidents take place all the time. I-35, I-20, and I-10, in particular, see accidents every single day – morning, afternoon, and night. The accident rate is so bad in Texas that the Lone Star state is commonly referred to as the “car accident capital of America”. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), an estimated 3,500 people are killed on Texas roads every year. In 2016, the fatality rate on our roadways was 1.44 per hundred million vehicle miles traveled. That same year, Texas also experienced an increase in the number of deaths recorded as a result of accidents.

Just the other day a local media outlet reported that work zone fatalities were on the rise in Texas. In 2017, TxDOT reported work zone fatalities increased by a whopping 9 percent, leading to almost 100 deaths and more than 800 injuries. There are numerous reasons for the increase in car accidents and related deaths in the state, including driver distraction and population growth. At the end of last year, traffic deaths across the United States had lowered slightly, but unfortunately the same could not be said for Texas. Many point to the state’s higher-than-average speed limits as a culprit for the rise in accident-related deaths (fatalities jumped 7 percent from 2015 to 2017 in Texas). Furthermore, drivers continue to give into distractions such as smartphones, in-car infotainment systems, and so on.

Car Accidents Continue to Plague Texas

According to TxDot, the following took place in 2016 on  Texas roadways:

• 1 person was killed every 2 hours and 20 minutes
• 1 person was injured every 2 minutes
• 1 crash was reported every 57 seconds
• 814 people were killed in crashes in intersections
• 1,293 people were killed in single-vehicle, run-off the road crashes
• 638 people were killed in head-on crashes
• 496 motorcyclists were killed
• 678 pedestrians were killed in auto-related accidents

Perhaps the most alarming statistic from 2016? There were no deathless days on Texas roadways. We saw these numbers increase in 2017, which brings even more reason for concern. As Dallas car accident attorneys, we have represented countless victims of accidents and are prepared to do the same for you. Accidents happen every single day for a host of reasons, and unfortunately, Texas is the most dangerous place in the United States for drivers. If you or a loved one was involved in an accident in Texas and suffered injuries or damages as a result, please contact Rad Law Firm today and schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Dallas personal injury lawyers. We understand how devastating and life-changing these types of accidents and will do everything to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.