Ever Wonder How Many Motor Vehicle Accidents Occur In Texas?
Every day, countless Texans travel across the extensive highways and backroads of the Lone Star State. Whether it’s a trip from Dallas to El Paso or just a short drive around town, the roads of Texas are lively channels of activity and trade. However, amidst this constant movement and energy, there is a serious issue that cannot be ignored—car accidents occur in Texas more frequently than they should.
The safety of our roads is a major issue for both Texans and those in charge of making laws. There’s a popular saying that goes, “knowledge is power,” and that’s exactly what we aim to provide in this blog. By sharing detailed and data-backed statistics about car accidents in Texas, we hope to help you recognize the dangers you might face and the important safety factors to think about before you get behind the wheel.
Breaking Down the Numbers
In 2022, car accidents in Texas led to a staggering economic loss of $55.9 billion. During that same year, vehicles in Texas covered a total of 289.965 billion miles, which was a 1.66% rise from the 285.244 billion miles driven in 2021. This immense amount of driving resulted in a crash occurring every 55 seconds, with an injury happening every two minutes and nine seconds, affecting 244,092 individuals, and tragically, there was one death approximately every two hours.
In 2022, there weren’t any days without fatalities on Texas roads, but there is a silver lining: the fatality rate dropped to 1.55 deaths per hundred million people, which is a 1.99% decrease from the previous year. When it comes to the most dangerous time to be on the road in Texas, the hours between 2 am and 3 am on Saturdays were the riskiest, and Saturdays overall saw more accidents than any other day. Additionally, September was the deadliest month, with a staggering 427 fatalities recorded during that time.
Who are the safest drivers?
Although drivers of any age can be either responsible or reckless, statistics show that those aged 19 to 24 were involved in more accidents on Texas roads than any other age group. This could be linked to their vehicle preferences and driving behaviors. On the other hand, older drivers, particularly those over 72, experienced significantly fewer accidents compared to other age demographics. In 2022, the highest number of car accident fatalities occurred among males aged 20 to 35, while the lowest fatalities were reported for females aged 40 to 60.
How do motorcycle and car accidents compare?
Motorcycles do not have the same safety features that cars do, like seat belts, airbags, and a strong metal structure. Because of this, it’s clear that riders are at a greater risk during accidents, making them more susceptible to the impact and force of a collision.
This weakness can result in serious injuries or even death. Motorcycles are inherently less stable and can easily lose control on bumpy or slick roads, so even a slight imbalance can cause a major crash. Moreover, because motorcycles are smaller and harder to see, other drivers might miss them, which raises the chances of accidents happening.
Motorcycles come with their own set of risks, so it’s not shocking that accidents involving them tend to be deadlier than those with cars. The administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has pointed out that in Texas, a significant 16% of all vehicle-related deaths involve motorcyclists.
In 2022, there were 562 deaths among motorcyclists due to crashes, which is an 8% rise compared to 2021. Alarmingly, 39% of those who lost their lives were not wearing helmets at the time of their accidents. In a similar vein, 60% of individuals who died in car accidents that year also weren’t buckled up in their seat belts. The main point to remember is that safety precautions for both motorcycles and cars can significantly help in saving lives.
IF YOU’VE BEEN INJURED IN A CAR, TRUCK, OR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT, CONTACT US TODAY.
Named one of the “Best Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas” by Expertise.com, Brian Brunson is a Dallas personal injury attorney who is dedicated to helping clients who have suffered a car, truck, or motorcycle injury through the negligent or wrongful conduct of other drivers. In addition, his professionalism is unmatched and the firms’ client reviews speak for themselves.
We proudly serve the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and surrounding areas, our office supports the legal needs of a wide variety of clients. Let the Law Office of Brian Brunson be your advocate in your time of need and help you put your life back together. If we can’t win or settle your case, you don’t pay a dime! We know it can be daunting to take that first step after you’ve been hurt. Contact Brian Brunson today via email or call us toll-free at 1-844-41-WRECK. We can help, when no one else will.
