Texas roads are some of the busiest in the nation. High population growth in recent years has only increased congestion and, unfortunately, the number of auto accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Texas saw the second-highest number of fatal auto accidents of all states in 2020, ahead of Florida and closely trailing California.
One stretch of road consistently listed among the deadliest in the country is Interstate 45, a major highway connecting Dallas and Houston. Stemmons Freeway in Dallas-Fort Worth is another. Marvin D. Love Freeway in Dallas and Tomball Parkway in Houston are not far behind.
If you were injured at little to no fault of your own in a Texas auto accident, you should speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to maximize your chance of securing full and fair compensation. The Wilhite Law Firm has proudly helped hundreds of injured Texans in their hour of need. We are ready to help you too. Call us today for a free consultation.
Auto Accident Statistics
Auto accidents are a familiar problem throughout the United States, and the numbers are on the rise. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 5,250,837 police-reported accidents in 2020, leading to 38,824 deaths nationwide. The following year, the number of deaths jumped by 10.5% to a 16-year high of 42,915.
Numbers rose significantly across the board. The NHTSA reports increased accident rates in the following categories:
- Daytime crashes (up 11%)
- Weekend crashes (up 11%)
- Crashes during out-of-state travel (up 15%)
- Crashes involving speeding (up 5%)
- Crashes involving alcohol (up 5%)
- Multi-vehicle crashes (up 16%)
- Motorcyclist fatalities (up 9%)
- Pedestrian fatalities (up 13%)
- Bicyclist fatalities (up 5%)
- Crashes involving at least one large truck (up 13%)
- By age group, 25-34 (up 10%), 35-44 (up 15%), 45-54 (up 12%), 65+ (up 14%)
- Crashes on rural interstate roads (up 15%), urban arterial (up 15%), and urban collector/local (up 20%)
The numbers are not much better in Texas. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), 4,489 people died in auto accidents statewide in 2021. This 15.22% increase over the previous year translates to one death every 1 hour and 57 minutes.
Sadly, driver error persists as the leading cause of auto accidents. According to TxDOT, in 2021, the top five causes of auto accidents in the state were:
- Failure to control speed – 134,125
- Driver inattention – 82,705
- Failure to drive in a single lane – 45,743
- Unsafe lane changes – 42,638
- Running red lights – 21,881
Five Deadliest Highways in Texas
As most Texans know, the Lone Star State is the second largest in the country, both by area and population. The state’s population grew more than any other’s between 2010-2020. It is also home to three of the ten largest cities in the country — Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Austin, one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, is currently ranked eleventh.
The state’s high population and persistent growth mean that its roads are busier than ever. In turn, more cars on the roads mean more accidents. In fact, according to Houstonia Magazine, “Texas is actually home to the most dangerous road [in the country] with I-45, which averages 56.5 fatal accidents for every 100 miles.” Drunk driving, outdated infrastructure, and poor lighting contribute to the danger. Measured using data from 2017-2019, other high-risk roadways in Texas include:
- Stemmons Freeway (I-35E) – Dallas – Stemmons Freeway is the most dangerous freeway in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Running from Downtown Dallas to State Highway 183, it spans 16 lanes at its widest. This stretch of road saw 20 fatal accidents in the two-year window under consideration (4.1 accidents per mile).
- Marvin D. Love Freeway – Dallas – Part of U.S. Route 67, this stretch of freeway runs from Camp Wilson Road to Illinois Avenue. During the same two-year period, it saw a total of 15 fatal accidents (3.3 accidents per mile).
- Tomball Parkway – Houston – Tomball Parkway is a part of State Highway 249, running from West Montgomery Road to Spring Cypress Road. It saw a total of 14 fatal accidents in the two-year window (3.2 accidents per mile).
- Interstate 35 – Austin – I-35 is a major highway stretching from the southern border to the Great Lakes. It splits into an eastern and western route as it passes through Dallas-Forth Worth before reconnecting as it exists the metro area in the north and south. It is particularly treacherous as it passes through the Austin area, where it saw 14 fatal accidents in the two-year window (3.1 accidents per mile).
- Texas 12 Loop – Dallas – This state highway is located mostly within Dallas. Starting and ending at Interstate 30, it crosses multiple highways, including I-35E and I-45. This road clocks in at 12 fatal accidents in the two-year period (2.5 accidents per mile).
What is the Deadline for Filing an Auto Accident Lawsuit?
In most cases, Texas law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file suit seeking compensation from the at-fault party in court. The deadline is strictly enforced and features very few exceptions.
Do not miss it, as doing so will seriously compromise your case. In addition to losing your right to seek compensation in court, losing the ability to sue by missing the deadline will destroy your bargaining power when negotiating an out-of-court settlement with the at-fault party and their insurers.
The best way to avoid this is by speaking to an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after being injured in an accident. The Wilhite Law Firm is ready to evaluate and handle your case.
Contact an Experienced Dallas Car Accident Lawyer Today
No matter how carefully we drive, the risk of an accident is always present. When one occurs at little to no fault of your own, you are likely entitled to legal compensation for your injuries and losses and should speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The Wilhite Law Firm is ready to evaluate and handle your case from start to finish. Call us today for a free consultation.
