You recognize that car accidents are dangerous, but you may not realize just how dangerous. These updated statistics for the State of Texas tell a grim tale. If you or someone you love has been injured by another driver’s negligence in a car accident, don’t wait to call an experienced Texas car accident attorney.
What’s In This Guide
The Statistics
The World Population Review shares that Texas – with 3,505 deaths – heads the list for the state with the most fatal car accidents in 2019. The Texas Department of Transportation (DOT) reports all the following telling statistics related to Texas car accidents in 2020:
- The fatality rate for roadways throughout the State of Texas was 1.5 per hundred million vehicle miles traveled, which is nearly a 19 percent increase over 2019.
- Texas also experienced an increase of its overall traffic fatalities in 2020 – with 3,896 deaths (an increase of 7.54 percent over 2019’s 3,623 deaths).
- 14,656 people sustained serious injuries in car accidents across the state in 2020.
- In 2020, a whopping 205,498 people were injured in traffic accidents.
- While the number of dangerous accidents went up in 2020, there was a 9.59 percent decrease in the number of annual vehicle miles traveled in Texas that year (compared to 2019).
- 03 percent of all the fatal traffic accidents in Texas occurred in rural areas (accounting for 1,988 deaths).
- 865 of the traffic fatalities in 2020 happened in intersections (or were related to intersections).
- 538 people lost their lives in head-on collisions in Texas in 2020.
- The roadways in Texas didn’t see one day in 2020 that was deathless.
- Two of the fatal 2020 accidents in Texas left six or more people dead.
- The deadliest days in 2020 were June 21 (Sunday), August 14 (Friday), and December 28 (Monday) – all of which saw 22 total fatalities. The deadliest month in 2020 was October, with 382 total fatalities.
- 25 percent of the fatal traffic crashes in 2020 involved a driver who was under the influence of alcohol.
- The majority of DUI crashes in 2020 occurred between 2 AM and 3 AM, and more happened on Saturday than on any other day.
- 358 people lost their lives in 2020 as a result of a distracted driver.
Texas DOT sums these statistics up this way:
- In 2020, one person died in a Texas traffic accident every 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- In 2020, one person was injured in a Texas traffic accident every 2 minutes and 34 seconds.
- In 2020, there was a reportable traffic crash in Texas every 1 minute and 7 seconds.
These statistics speak volumes.
Car Accidents and Driver Negligence
Car accidents are typically caused by driver negligence, including all the following forms:
- Distraction – Distracted drivers fail to pay adequate attention to what they need to be focused on, driving safely. Texting is the most dangerous and alarming distraction of them all.
- Impairment – Impaired drivers are remarkably dangerous drivers. A few too many drinks can lead to physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments, and this is not to mention the loss of impulse control.
- Exhaustion – Too little sleep can leave drivers less capable of driving safely, and this is why professional drivers are restricted by exacting hours-of-service guidelines.
- Excess Speed – When motorists exceed the speed limit or fail to adjust their speed in accordance with poor road conditions, they not only increase the risk that an accident will happen but also increase the risk that it will prove deadly.
- Aggression – Aggressive drivers are a mixed bag who tend to engage in multiple life-threatening driving practices per trip. The hallmark of aggressive driving, however, is driving at breakneck speeds.
If another driver’s negligence leaves you injured, a dedicated Texas car accident attorney can help.
Your Losses
You’ve been harmed by another driver’s negligence, and your car accident claim will need to carefully address the physical, financial, and emotional losses (or legal damages) you’ve experienced.
Medical Bills
The medical costs associated with being seriously injured in a car accident can be staggering, and if your injuries lead to secondary healthcare concerns or complications, they can be more so. Common examples include:
- The emergency treatment you receive at the accident scene and emergency transportation from the accident scene to the hospital.
- Surgery and follow-up care
- Hospital stays and care
- Medical treatments, procedures, tests, and supplies
- Treatment and care from doctors and other medical professionals
- Occupational and/or physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Pain management
- Prescription medications
- Adaptive physical devices and mobility aids
- Chiropractic care and other holistic medical approaches
- Home health care
Lost Income
While you are recovering from the injuries you’ve suffered, you can expect decreased earnings. If your ability to return to work is dashed or your ability to continue advancing your career is thwarted, you will be looking at even more considerable losses that spread into your future.
Pain and Suffering
The physical and psychological pain and suffering you are put through as a result of being injured in a violent car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence can be difficult to overstate. These psychological effects can include:
- A noticeable shift in personality
- Sleep disturbances that can include night terrors
- Difficult concentrating
- Increased anxiety that can include anxiety attacks
- Depression
- Severe mood swings
- Crying jags and other forms of emotional lability
- Fear of driving
- Frightening flashbacks to the car accident
- A newly acquired tendency to self-isolate
You Need an Experienced Texas Car Accident Attorney on Your Side
The seasoned car accident attorneys at The Patel Firm dedicate their impressive practice to helping car accident victims like you fully recover on the losses they’ve experienced, and we’re here for you, too. To learn more, please don’t wait to contact or call us at 361-400-2036 today.
