Texas Injury Lawyers Blog
Prevention saves lives.
National Safety Month: The Most Common Preventable Injuries in Texas and How They Happen
June is National Safety Month, a time to focus on preventing injuries before they happen. While some accidents are truly unavoidable, many serious injuries occur because someone failed to take reasonable precautions.
A distracted driver glances at a phone. A property owner ignores a dangerous hazard. An employer skips important safety procedures. Small decisions can have life-changing consequences.
Understanding the most common preventable injuries can help Texans recognize risks, stay safer, and understand when negligence may play a role.
Did You Know?
The CDC reported 14,432 people died from unintentional injuries across Texas in 2024.²
Distracted Driving Crashes
Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of traffic accidents in Texas.
Many drivers know they should not text while driving, but distractions go beyond cell phones. Looking at navigation apps, adjusting music, eating, or taking attention away from the road for even a few seconds can increase the risk of a crash.
Drivers have a responsibility to remain focused behind the wheel. When a distraction causes an accident, that conduct may be considered negligence under Texas law.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Slip-and-fall injuries can happen almost anywhere, including restaurants, stores, apartment complexes, and private properties.
Many of these incidents are caused by hazards such as:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Uneven sidewalks
- Poor lighting
- Broken stairs or handrails
- Cluttered walkways
While not every fall results from negligence, property owners generally have a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises and address known hazards.
Workplace Injuries
Certain jobs involve more risk than others, but that does not mean injuries are unavoidable.
Construction sites, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and industrial workplaces all require proper safety procedures. When those procedures are ignored, workers may face unnecessary dangers.
Common workplace injuries include:
- Falls from heights
- Equipment-related injuries
- Vehicle accidents
- Electrocutions
- Repetitive stress injuries
Employers and contractors who fail to follow safety requirements may create conditions that increase the likelihood of preventable injuries.
Recreational and Summer Activity Injuries
Texas offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, especially during the summer months. Boating, swimming, sports, biking, and amusement park activities can all be enjoyable ways to spend time with family and friends.
Many recreational injuries result from ordinary risks associated with the activity. However, some occur because reasonable safety precautions were not taken.
Examples may include:
- Boat operators acting recklessly or while intoxicated
- Property owners failing to secure swimming pool areas
- Businesses neglecting facility maintenance
- Rental companies providing defective equipment
- Event organizers ignoring known safety hazards
Even when participants accept certain risks, businesses and property owners still have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect guests.
The Role Negligence Plays in Preventable Injuries
A common thread runs through many preventable injuries: negligence.
In personal injury law, negligence occurs when someone fails to exercise reasonable care and another person is harmed as a result.
Examples may include:
- A driver texting while driving
- A property owner ignoring a known hazard
- An employer failing to implement safety procedures
- A business neglecting routine maintenance
In some cases, a safety law or regulation may also have been violated. When that happens, it can strengthen a claim by showing that the responsible party failed to follow established safety standards.
National Safety Month serves as a reminder that many injuries can be prevented when people take their responsibilities seriously.
Injured Because of Someone Else’s Negligence? Call Shaw.
Many serious injuries are preventable. When someone chooses convenience over safety, others may pay the price. If you or a loved one was injured because of someone else’s negligence anywhere in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Ambulance Costs
- ER Treatment
- Surgeries
- Medical Bills
- Pain and Suffering
- Property Damage
- Missed Work
- Wrongful Death
- And More
We can help you find out for free.
Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 today or use the live chat to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our expert personal injury attorneys. No fees, no obligations, just experienced legal guidance from a firm that put their clients first.
We look forward to serving you.