How Texas Drivers Can Prevent—and Respond to—Serious Accidents

Texas roads remain among the deadliest in the nation, with thousands of crashes occurring every year. In 2024, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recorded 14,905 serious injury crashes, leaving 18,218 people with severe injuries. While this reflects a slight decrease from 2023, the numbers remain alarmingly high.

This National Traffic Awareness Month serves as a reminder that every driver plays a role in making Texas roads safer. Preventing accidents means recognizing common crash causes, practicing defensive driving, and knowing what steps to take if a collision occurs.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Texas

While weather conditions and unexpected hazards can play a role, many crashes are linked to preventable driver behaviors. According to TxDOT, the most frequent contributing factors include:

• Distracted Driving – Texas’s leading cause of car accidents, covering anything from texting to adjusting GPS, eating, or other activities that divert attention from the road.

• Speeding – Driving over the limit reduces reaction time and increases the severity of collisions.

• Impaired Driving – Alcohol and drug impairment remain the leading causes of fatal crashes in Texas. Even prescription medications can affect judgment and reaction times.

• Failure to Yield/Pedestrian Risk – Ignoring stop signs, red lights, or pedestrian right-of-way laws creates dangerous situations for everyone on the road.

Recognizing these causes is the first step toward prevention—but awareness alone isn’t enough.

Tips for Safer Driving

Safe driving requires consistent good habits and proactive awareness:

• Always buckle up—seat belts save lives.

• Eliminate distractions by silencing phones or setting GPS routes before driving.

• Observe speed limits and adjust your speed in poor weather or heavy traffic.

• Never drive impaired—plan for a designated driver, rideshare, or public transportation if needed.

• Stay alert for pedestrians and cyclists, especially in school zones or neighborhoods.

By reducing risky behaviors, drivers not only protect themselves but also contribute to lowering Texas’s high accident rates.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Texas

Even with safe driving habits, accidents can happen. If you are involved in a crash:

1. Check for Injuries & Call 911 – Prioritize safety and ensure emergency services are notified.

2. Document the Scene – Photograph vehicles, damage, roadway conditions, and visible injuries.

3. Exchange Information – Share names, contact details, and insurance information with the other driver(s).

4. Seek Medical Attention – Some serious injuries, such as concussions or internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent.

5. File a Crash Report if Required – In Texas, accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage must be reported.

6. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney – Legal representation can help protect your rights and secure full compensation.

Why Legal Guidance Matters

Accident claims can be more complicated than they appear. Multiple parties may be at fault, insurance companies may dispute liability, and deadlines for filing a claim vary—especially in cases involving government vehicles or dangerous road conditions.

An experienced Texas personal injury lawyer can:

• Investigate the crash and collect evidence

• Identify all potentially liable parties

• Negotiate with insurance companies

• Pursue damages for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering

Traffic Accident? Call Shaw.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Texas traffic accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for:

• Ambulance costs

• ER treatment and surgeries

• Ongoing medical bills

• Lost income

• Pain and suffering

• Property damage

• Wrongful death damages

We can help you find out for free.

Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 or use our live chat to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our personal injury attorneys. There are no fees or obligations—just the expert legal advice you need.

For over three decades, Carabin Shaw has put Texas accident victims first. This National Traffic Awareness Month, let’s work together to make our roads safer—because every safe choice behind the wheel could be the one that saves a life.

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¹TxDOT Be Safe Drive Smart

²TxDOT Crash Statistics