Texas car accident statistics are crucial input for policymakers when deciding on construction, targeted initiatives, and traffic laws. These numbers are also useful to drivers, who can learn about the behaviors that lead to accidents and the areas and circumstances in which they must exercise extra caution.
Car accidents all too commonly lead to injuries or death. If you were injured or your loved one died in a crash due to someone else’s actions, Houston car accident lawyer Joe Stephens can help.
Key Texas Car Accident Statistics
Texas traffic accident data can provide drivers with a deeper understanding of how to avoid crashes that can result in significant injuries and property damage. Essential statistics for drivers below include the overall number of crash incidents, injuries, and fatalities.
The data, taken from the Texas Department of Transportation’s 2023 Crash Facts Report, illustrates the alarming breadth of the traffic accident problem in Texas.
Overall Crash Numbers
In 2023, over 300 billion vehicle miles were traveled on Texas roadways, an over 3.5 percent increase from 2022. Unfortunately, a large number of accidents also occurred. Texas had approximately 558,950 traffic crashes in 2023, translating to one crash every 56 seconds.
Injury Statistics
The total number of people injured in car accidents in Texas in 2023 was around 250,335, with a person injured every 2 minutes and 6 seconds. Of those hurt in crashes, around 98,600 people had minor injuries, and more than 18,750 had serious injuries.
Fatality Statistics
In 2023, 4,291 people died in Texas motor vehicle accidents, a rate of one death every 2 hours and 2 minutes. These numbers represent a decrease of approximately 2.7 percent in deaths from 2022, but there were no days without a traffic fatality in 2023.
Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death in Texas for children under age 14.
Fatality Rate
In 2023, there were 1.42 deaths per hundred million vehicle miles traveled in Texas, a 6 percent decrease from 2022.
For deaths on Texas roads to continue dropping, drivers must understand dangerous driving and avoid behaviors that lead to crashes.
When someone else’s mistake puts you in harm’s way, you deserve more than just a quick insurance payout. We help everyday Texans get the support and compensation they need to move forward after a car accident.
Contributing Factors in Texas Car Accidents
Accidents might seem random, but often result from specific driver behaviors and circumstances. Many of the major causes of car accidents in Texas are avoidable, and by failing to drive responsibly, negligent drivers cause accidents that result in injuries and death.
Speeding
Excessive speed is the top contributing factor in Texas motor vehicle crashes. Some accidents are caused by drivers breaking the Texas maximum speed requirement law and driving faster than is reasonable and prudent given the conditions. This could include failing to slow down in work zones, during bad weather, or in poorly lit areas.
Distracted Driving
Texas has tried to combat distracted driving through legislation, but it remains a major contributor to injuries and fatalities on the state’s roads.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, or TxDOT, car crash statistics, at least 94,410 accidents in Texas in 2023 were caused by distracted driving. These crashes led to 403 fatalities, almost 2,800 suspected serious injuries, and more than 17,900 suspected minor injuries.
Driving Under the Influence
There were about 23,870 DUI crashes in Texas in 2023, resulting in around 2,400 serious injuries and almost 6,280 minor injuries. At least 1,127 people died, representing about 26 percent of total fatalities.
The hours between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays are by far the deadliest when it comes to drunk driving fatalities.
Failure To Yield the Right-of-Way
Data from the TxDOT Crash Records Information System, or CRIS, reveal that failing to yield is a common contributing factor in Texas car accidents, especially at intersections. These crashes often involve a negligent driver turning left when they don’t have the right-of-way or failing to yield the right-of-way at a stop sign.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Drivers who change lanes when it is unsafe or fail to stay in their lane make it difficult for others to avoid crashes. This problem is partly related to drivers failing to account for blind spots or inclement weather, such as rain or fog.
A surprising number of Texas drivers also cross lanes and stay there. CRIS data shows that in 2023, there were over 440 Texas crashes resulting in deaths or serious injuries that involved a driver on the wrong side of the road despite not passing another vehicle.
Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
According to CRIS data, ignoring or failing to see a stop sign or light resulted in 697 crashes with fatalities or suspected serious injuries in Texas in 2023. Another 848 were caused by drivers disregarding stop-and-go signals.
There are many contributing factors to car accidents in Texas, but not all are due to negligent drivers. If defective auto parts caused your crash, you may have a case against the car or parts manufacturer.
Where Accidents Happen in Texas
Accidents occur in Texas in a variety of locations. Not surprisingly, most of these events happen in urban areas. However, the numbers vary by city, county, and the types of roads on which they occur.
Urban vs. Rural Accidents
There are notable differences in rural and urban traffic crashes in Texas. About 27 percent of crashes occurred in rural areas, but these accidents accounted for almost 53 percent of fatalities and about 43 percent of serious injuries in 2023.
Statistics by Major Cities and Counties
Some cities are more dangerous to drive in than others. TxDOT 2023 city and town data provide overall crash statistics for major areas, including:
- Houston: 67,644 crashes, with 290 fatalities, 1,612 suspected serious injuries, 7,558 suspected minor injuries, and 22,367 possible injuries
- Dallas: 31,678 accidents resulting in 205 fatalities, 1,134 suspected serious injuries, 5,626 suspected minor injuries, and 8,266 possible injuries
- San Antonio: 40,077 crashes with 164 deaths, 612 suspected serious injuries, 7,275 suspected minor injuries, and 9,287 possible injuries
- Austin: 12,138 accidents that led to 92 fatalities, 468 suspected serious injuries, 3,555 suspected minor injuries, and 4,540 possible injuries
While Houston had the most accidents, crashes in Dallas were much more likely to result in fatalities. Dallas County experienced a decrease in total accidents in 2023, but a slight increase in fatalities.
High-Risk Roadways
TxDOT fatal accidents by road type data indicate that of 4,291 fatalities in car crashes in 2023, almost 40 percent happened on U.S. and state highways. City streets were the second highest at 20 percent, followed by farm-to-market roads that connect rural to urban areas at approximately 16 percent. Accidents on interstates also accounted for about 16 percent of fatalities.
Based on accidents per mile, stretches of I-10, I-35, and I-45 are some of the deadliest in Texas.
How We Help Accident Victims
Driving in Texas can be dangerous, especially when other drivers are negligent by speeding, failing to pay attention, or ignoring traffic laws. Safe driving practices can reduce your chances of getting in an accident, but you can’t always avoid other people driving unsafely.
Joe Stephens is an experienced car accident lawyer who helps victims navigate the aftermath of crashes. Our firm investigates crashes, determines liability, calculates damages, and deals with insurance companies so victims don’t have to.
For top-rated legal assistance with proven case results, schedule a free consultation by calling (281) 623-1701 or completing our online contact form.
