None of us plan on getting into a car accident, but they can happen when you least expect it — especially in Texas. Vehicles travel over 280 billion miles in the state each year, which means there are a lot of opportunities for Texans to get into a car wreck. Here are some important facts and statistics about Texas car accidents so you know what situations you should have your guard up in.
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Texas Per Year?
Approximately 560,000 car accidents happened in Texas in 2023. This averages out to over 1,500 per day, with someone being injured in a crash every 2 minutes and 6 seconds. Thankfully, Texas did see a slight decrease in the number of fatalities caused by traffic accidents — down to 4,283 from 4,407 in 2022.
Car crashes with possible or confirmed injuries tend to make up over half of the car accidents that happen every year. That means if you do get into a car accident in Texas, it’s more likely than not to experience some type of injury. Injuries from car accidents can range from mild scrapes and bruises to serious, life-threatening conditions. In 2023, Texas recorded over 15,000 car accidents that resulted in serious injury.
For Travis County residents, see our resource on Austin car accident statistics
What Is the Leading Cause of Texas Car Accidents?
Whether you’re driving on rural roads or interstate highways, driving across Texas can come with challenges and hazards. In fact, two of the most hazardous roads in America are located in Texas — Interstate 35 and Interstate 45. The leading cause of car accidents in Texas is speeding (138,927 crashes in 2023 — 23,558 resulted in possible injury), followed by distracted driving (89,529 crashes in 2023 — 12,299 resulted in possible injury).
With millions of miles of roadways to travel in Texas, driving at illegal or unsafe speeds can put you and others on the road at risk. Car crashes that occur because of speeding typically have higher injury rates because of the unsafe speeds involved. And now more than ever, drivers have distractions right at their fingertips. From CarPlay and Android Auto to cell phones, it can be so tempting to take your eyes off the road and accidentally end up in a wreck. This is why it’s so important to remain vigilant on the road and drive with care, especially in areas where the risk of collisions is higher.
What City in Texas Has the Most Car Accidents?
The city in Texas with the most car accidents in 2023 was Houston — more than double the number from Dallas and accounting for nearly 16% of all crashes in Texas. Houston recorded over 67,000 car accidents alone, resulting in more than 22,000 possible injuries. The city with the second most car accidents in 2023 was San Antonio with just over 40,000 car accidents, followed by Dallas with 31,678 car accidents. El Paso and Fort Worth each totaled 15,900 and 13,400 car accidents, respectively, followed by Austin at 12,100.
It is worth noting that these totals only include traffic accidents reported to the police (and within the city limits) so the total numbers are likely higher, especially for the total metro areas.
Which Type of Collision Is Most Common in Texas?
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident in Texas and across the entire United States. These are common at red lights, stop signs, and during stop-and-go traffic. Unsurprisingly, distracted driving is one of the main reasons why rear-end collisions happen, particularly when drivers don’t leave enough space between them and the vehicle in front. This means that speeding (the other most common cause of crashes in Texas) can also frequently result in rear-end collisions due to the prevalence of tailgating on highways, which doesn’t give the driver enough time to react to an issue ahead.
Texas Car Accident Fatalities by Age & Gender
A particularly harrowing statistic on Texas car accidents in 2023 is that not a single day went by without a traffic accident fatality. Based on reported traffic crash statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation, the summer months of June and August were the deadliest months on Texas roads. Unfortunately, these dangerous conditions aren’t just on highways — 1,120 people were killed in crashes at intersections in 2023.
There are significantly higher rates of males dying from car accidents than females in Texas. Of the 2,057 reported driver deaths in car accidents, more than 1,500 were male. Texas car accident fatalities among both male and female drivers were much higher among the 18–25 age range than any other group.
What Should You Do After a Car Crash?
It helps to have a plan for what to do after a car crash, even if you think it will never happen to you. Getting into a car accident can be such an incredibly stressful experience, which can impact your ability to think clearly. First, call 911 and report the accident. The shock may prevent you from fully comprehending what’s going on, and you might not even realize you have been injured. First responders to the scene will help manage the situation and get you appropriate medical attention as needed.
While you wait for first responders, take a moment to assess the crash by writing down or adding notes on your phone about what you remember and your immediate reactions. If you notice any pain or other physical symptoms, jot those down and let the first responders know when they arrive. You can also take this time to exchange information with the other driver if it is safe to do so.
For more information on what to do after a car accident, see our step-by-step guide
Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
After a car accident, even if you feel fine, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get medical attention. Adrenaline can mask pain and other signs of an injury. This is why it’s critical to speak with a car accident doctor — they’ll know what signs and symptoms to look for and determine whether you have any injuries that need immediate treatment or might worsen in the future.If you’ve been in a car accident in Texas, visit a Pro-Care location near you for quality, comprehensive care. Our team of pain management doctors and car accident chiropractors treat a wide range of post-crash injuries and are here to help Texans like you recover safely and quickly from all types of car accidents. Schedule an appointment to get on the road to recovery today!
