# Are Car Accident Rates in Texas Going Up? | Attorney Brian White You risk your life every time you get behind the wheel in [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/). This is true of every state; no one can predict if or when a car accident will happen. Reviewing car accident statistics in your area, however, can give you a better idea of the likelihood of a collision. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has [collected crash data](https://www.txdot.gov/data-maps/crash-reports-records/crash-data-analysis-statistics.html/) and published annual summary reports for decades. If you were recently involved in an auto crash, consult with a [car wreck lawyer in Houston](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/) now. ## Have Crash Rates Increased in the Last 15 Years? The TxDOT’s crash statistics available online date back to 2003. In 2003, Texas’s [roadway fatality rate](https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2003_update/1_2003.pdf) was 1.75 deaths per hundred million vehicle miles traveled. The state recorded 68,131 serious injury accidents and 3,822 deaths. The most recent year data is available, [calendar year 2017](https://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2017/01.pdf), Texas’s fatality rate was 1.36 per hundred million miles traveled. This is a decrease in the rates 14 years ago. The rates of serious injury accidents and deaths have also decreased: 14,299 and 3,721, respectively. In a [side-by-side comparison](https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2017/a.pdf) of crash data in Texas over the last 15 years, one can see that car accident fatality rates have fluctuated over the years. Texas recorded a low of 3,060 deaths in 2010, but in 2012 the rate rose by 11.64% to 3,417 deaths. By 2016, the rate had increased even more, to 3,794 deaths – the highest death toll since 2003. This number dropped slightly in 2017 but stayed above 3,700. It is impossible to compare the rates of serious injuries from data 15 years ago because as of 2010, the TxDOT changed the definition of serious injury to only include incapacitating injuries. You can, however, compare the data from 2010 onward. In 2010, there were 11,779 serious injury accidents. This is 2,450 fewer serious injury accidents than in 2017. Based on statistics, the number of fatal accidents in Texas is decreasing, while the number of serious injury accidents is increasing. The overall number of car accidents has increased. In 2003, a reportable accident occurred every 69 seconds. By 2017, this number had dropped to 59 seconds. The opposite is true for the number of injury accidents (not serious injury accidents). Injury accidents decreased from 308,360 people in 2003 to 254,853 in 2017. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## How to Stay Safe on Texas’ Roads Many different factors could cause Texas’ crash rates to increase: distracted drivers, unsafe roadways, and defective auto parts, to name a few. If you wish to avoid car accidents in Texas, you must increase your safety as a driver. - Do not drive distracted. Pay attention to the road at all times, and never text and drive. Texting and driving are [illegal in the state of Texas](https://www.txdot.gov/safety/driving-laws/texting-cellphone-laws.html/). Keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and your mind on the driving task. - Get enough sleep before driving. Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. You cannot react to changing roadway situations or prevent car accidents if you are drowsy or falling asleep. - Drive defensively. Be wary of what others are doing. Watch other vehicles for signs of risk, such as speeding or weaving between lanes. Always prepare to maneuver your vehicle out of the way. - Follow roadway rules. [Speeding](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/speeding/), red-light running, [drunk driving](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/dui/), and other broken rules are the most common causes of serious car accidents. Obey all laws and applicable rules to stay safe and predictable on the road. If you do get into an auto accident in Texas you can hire an attorney to protect your rights and carry out the claims process on your behalf. An increase in the number of serious injury accidents over the years points to an increase in driver [negligence](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/what-is-negligence/). You may have a case against a negligent or reckless driver, and be eligible for financial compensation. Hiring a lawyer can help you maximize the outcome of your case. ## Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/77098-tx-brian-white-74113.html) / [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-elliott-white-201630) / [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorney-brian-white-378410166) Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Personal Injury Blog Posts: [![Understanding The Basics of At-Fault Insurance In Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Understanding-The-Basics-of-At-Fault-Insurance-In-Texas-1-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/understanding-the-basics-of-at-fault-insurance-in-texas/) [Understanding the Basics of At-Fault Insurance in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/understanding-the-basics-of-at-fault-insurance-in-texas/) States determine their own auto insurance laws. Two systems are prevalent: at-fault and no-fault. Texas, like most [![Car Color and Crash Risk](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/car-color-and-crash-risk/) [Car Color and Crash Risk](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/car-color-and-crash-risk/) You might not think that the color of your car could impact your risk of getting in an accident in Burnet, [![Dealing With Grief: A Step-By-Step Guide for Emotional Healing After the Unexpected Death of a Loved One](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dealing-With-Grief-A-Step-By-Step-Guide-for-Emotional-Healing-After-the-Unexpected-Death-of-a-Loved-One-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/dealing-with-grief-a-step-by-step-guide-for-emotional-healing-after-the-unexpected-death-of-a-loved-one/) [Dealing With Grief: A Step-by-Step Guide for Emotional Healing After the Unexpected Death of a Loved One](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/dealing-with-grief-a-step-by-step-guide-for-emotional-healing-after-the-unexpected-death-of-a-loved-one/) When you experience loss, you will go through a process called grieving. At the end of the grieving process, you will [![What to Do When You Experience Delayed Pain After an Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/What-to-Do-When-You-Experience-Delayed-Pain-After-an-Accident-300x169.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-to-do-when-you-experience-delayed-pain-after-an-accident/) [What to Do When You Experience Delayed Pain After an Accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/what-to-do-when-you-experience-delayed-pain-after-an-accident/) Accidents, whether they're car crashes, slip and falls, or workplace incidents, can lead to immediate pain. But what --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/faqs/are-car-accident-rates-in-texas-going-up/