Texas Car Accident Statistics [Updated 2026]

Serious and fatal car accidents plague Texans. Hundreds of accidents disrupt the lives of individuals and families every day.

At Pierce Skrabanek, we deal with Houston auto accidents regularly. We are honored to have guided families across the state through the insurance claim or litigation process. Individuals hurt in collisions or surviving family members often turn to us for help during these difficult times.

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries due to a driver’s negligence, our car accident attorneys are here to fight for your right to compensation. Call 832-690-7000 or fill out our online form to set up a free consultation and speak to one of our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers.

Latest Crash Numbers in Texas

The latest Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) data shows that Texas roads remain busy and dangerous, even though several key crash measures improved in 2025. Looking at the latest Texas car accident statistics can help put the risk into perspective.

In 2025, Texas car crash statistics recorded:

• 3,769 motor vehicle traffic deaths, a 9.38% decrease from the 4,159 deaths recorded in 2024.
• 14,396 serious injury crashes.
• 17,420 people who suffered serious injuries in those crashes.
• 244,534 people injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes overall.
• A traffic fatality rate of 1.20 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down 10.97% from 2024.
• 314.006 billion vehicle miles traveled, a 1.79% increase from 2024.

Even with fewer traffic deaths, the number of crashes and injuries shows that serious collisions remain a major concern for Texas drivers. Based on reportable crashes in 2025:

• One person was killed about every 2 hours and 19 minutes.
• One person was injured about every 2 minutes and 9 seconds.
• One reportable traffic crash occurred about every 59 seconds.

There were also no deathless days on Texas roads in 2025. At least one person died in a traffic crash every day of the year.

Car Accidents Affect More Than Drivers

Texas roads are shared by drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The 2025 numbers show that each group faced serious risks:

• Motorcyclists: 559 operators and passengers were killed. Thirty-one percent of motorcyclists killed were not wearing helmets when the crash occurred.
• Pedestrians: 695 people were killed, a 10.09% decrease from 2024.
• Pedalcyclists: 91 people were killed, a 13.75% increase from 2024.

Crash statistics show how quickly a routine drive can turn life-changing. If you or a loved one was hurt in a Texas traffic accident, you don't have to deal with insurance adjusters on your own. Pierce Skrabanek has recovered over $500,000,000 for injury victims across Texas and nationwide.

Call (832) 690-7000 or fill out our online form today for a free, 100% confidential consultation.

What Is Behind Serious Texas Traffic Crashes?

Speed, alcohol, and driver inattention are among the behaviors linked to thousands of Texas crashes each year. TxDOT’s 2025 crash data gives a clearer picture of how often these factors appear in reported collisions.

1. Speed and Loss of Control

Driving too fast can make it harder to stop, avoid another vehicle, or maintain control of the car. The 2025 TxDOT data recorded 125,969 crashes involving a driver who failed to control speed. Those crashes included:

• 463 fatal crashes
• 2,890 suspected serious-injury crashes
• 16,835 suspected minor-injury crashes

2. Alcohol-Impaired Driving

Alcohol can affect judgment, reaction time, coordination, and a driver's ability to make safe decisions. In 2025, TxDOT recorded 16,508 crashes involving a driver under the influence of alcohol.

Those crashes included:

• 500 fatal crashes
• 1,125 suspected serious-injury crashes
• 3,259 suspected minor-injury crashes

Alcohol-related crashes also played a significant role in Texas traffic deaths. TxDOT reported that 906 people were killed in 2025 in crashes involving a driver under the influence of alcohol. That represented 24.04% of all motor vehicle traffic deaths in the state.

The timing of these crashes is also worth noting. According to Texas car accidents statistics, more DUI-alcohol crashes occurred between 2:00 and 2:59 a.m. than during any other hour of the day. Saturday had more of these crashes than any other day of the week.

3. Driver Inattention

Distraction is not limited to texting. Looking at a phone, adjusting navigation, eating, reaching for something, talking with passengers, or simply failing to pay attention can take a driver's focus away from traffic.

TxDOT recorded 76,918 crashes involving driver inattention in 2025, including:

• 229 fatal crashes
• 1,712 suspected serious-injury crashes
• 11,822 suspected minor-injury crashes

A narrower TxDOT category, “distraction in vehicle,” accounted for 11,122 crashes. These included 42 fatal crashes and 348 suspected serious-injury crashes.

TxDOT also reported 308 people killed in crashes involving distracted driving in 2025.

4. Failing to Yield

Drivers can also cause collisions by failing to give other vehicles the right of way. Common examples include:

• Turning left without yielding to oncoming traffic
• Entering an intersection when another vehicle has the right of way
• Running a stop sign or red light
• Failing to yield to pedestrians or cyclists where required

These mistakes can lead to high-impact intersection crashes, particularly when one vehicle enters the path of another without enough time for the other driver to react.

5. Following Too Closely

Tailgating leaves less room to react when traffic suddenly slows or stops. A driver following too closely may not have enough distance to avoid a rear-end collision, especially at higher speeds or in heavy Houston traffic.

6. Unsafe Lane Changes

Changing lanes may seem routine, but an unsafe maneuver can put two vehicles on a collision course. Drivers can create serious risks when they:

• Move over without checking their blind spot
• Change lanes without signaling
• Drift into another lane
• Cut in front of another vehicle with too little space

These behaviors can be especially dangerous on Houston-area highways, where vehicles may be traveling at high speeds and traffic can change quickly.

What Texas Car Accidents Statistics Tell Us About Where These Crashes Are Happening

In 2025, Texas recorded 538,860 total traffic crashes. The rural and urban numbers show an important difference in both crash volume and severity:

• Urban areas had 391,243 crashes, compared with 147,617 in rural areas.
• Rural crashes caused 1,889 deaths, slightly more than the 1,880 deaths from urban crashes, despite having far fewer total crashes.
• Urban areas recorded 8,661 serious-injury crashes, compared with 5,734 in rural areas.
• Overall, rural crashes accounted for 50.12% of all Texas traffic fatalities in 2025.

TxDOT's crash-rate data also shows that the type of road can affect crash risk. In 2025, crash rates per 100 million vehicle miles traveled were higher in urban areas across each major highway system:

• Interstates: 143.95 urban crashes vs. 47.26 rural crashes
• U.S. highways: 174.60 urban vs. 68.63 rural
• State highways: 205.64 urban vs. 89.89 rural
• Farm-to-Market roads: 245.79 urban vs. 115.00 rural

Major highways carry millions of vehicles across Texas every year, including:

• I-10
• I-20
• I-35
• I-45
• I-69/US 59
• US 290
• I-610
• US 287

I-35 is particularly notable. A recent third-party analysis ranked it as the third most dangerous roadway in Texas, behind I-10 and I-20. The analysis examined five years of crash data and identified 346 crashes on I-35 during that period.

Texas Car Accident Statistics: Who Is Most Vulnerable in a Texas Crash?

A serious crash can affect anyone, but some people face greater physical risks because they have less protection when a collision occurs. TxDOT's 2025 data shows how traffic deaths were distributed among different groups.

• Motorcyclists: 559 motorcyclists were killed in Texas crashes in 2025. 31% of those killed were not wearing helmets. 
• Pedestrians: 695 pedestrians died in Texas traffic crashes in 2025. 
• Pedalcyclists: 91 bicyclists and other pedalcyclists were killed in 2025, a 13.75% increase from the previous year. 
• Younger drivers: TxDOT's 2025 fatality data records deaths among drivers across a wide range of ages, including teenagers and drivers in their early 20s. 
• Male drivers: Among non-motorcycle drivers killed in Texas crashes in 2025, 1,341 were male compared with 497 female drivers. That means male drivers accounted for about 73% of identified driver fatalities in the TxDOT data.

How Much Is a Texas Car Accident Claim Worth?

Every car accident is different. The details of your collision and injuries will determine the value of your claim. You may be entitled to receive the following damages:

• Complete coverage of medical expenses, both present and future
• Lost wages if you are unable to work
• Loss of earning potential
• Emotional distress damages
• Pain and suffering damages
• Possible punitive damages against a grossly negligent party

It is best to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer to properly evaluate your case.

What If My Loved One Died in a Texas Car Accident?

If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you have our deepest condolences. Our compassionate legal team has helped many families seek the answers and justice their loved ones deserve.

Losing someone suddenly can be overwhelming. At Pierce Skrabanek, we understand filing a wrongful death claim is not only about financial compensation. No amount of money can make up for the loss you have suffered.

Additionally, a wrongful death claim can serve to deter future acts of negligence and may help to save lives. By holding the responsible party accountable for their actions, it may offer you and your family the closure you need to move on.

Any financial compensation can serve to settle affairs and unexpected expenses, including:

• Medical expenses for your loved one’s treatment
• Loss of care, services, support, maintenance, and counsel your loved one would have provided
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support and benefits
• Loss of companionship, love, comfort, society
• Pain and suffering damages
• Mental pain and anguish
• Lost inheritance
• Possible punitive damages

After the unexpected loss of a loved one, there are numerous affairs to settle. The estate must be put in order. Any debts the deceased owes must be paid. In addition, funeral costs are often much higher than families anticipate. If your loved one had life insurance, they may not have included enough for all end-of-life expenses.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

Those able to file a wrongful death claim are limited, even among family members. If you have recently lost a loved one and are considering filing a claim, it is important to discuss who will be the deceased’s personal representative. Per Texas Law, one of the following may bring a wrongful death lawsuit against a negligent party:

• Surviving spouse
• Deceased’s children
• Deceased’s parents

Grandparents are not eligible to bring a wrongful death claim. However, one of the above surviving family members may file a claim on behalf of the entire family.

If your loved one was killed in a careless accident, our wrongful death attorneys can secure the compensation you and your family deserve to cover all your unforeseen bills. It is important to know that there is a statute of limitations (filing deadline) associated with making a claim. Surviving family members have two years from the date of passing to file a wrongful death claim.

We understand the highly emotional nature of your claim. Our exceptional legal team will represent your loved one with dignity and respect and provide your family with sensitivity and guidance throughout the process.

What Can a Texas Car Accident Lawyer Do for My Case?

At Pierce Skrabanek, we believe everyone is entitled to strong, effective representation. Many claims end with car accident victims receiving less than they deserve. Here is how our legal team helps you:

• Investigating the Crash: We gather police reports, analyze Texas car crash statistics and crash data, examine vehicle damage, and pull traffic camera footage.
• Proving Fault: We interview witnesses and consult with crash reconstruction experts to show who caused the wreck.
• Managing the Insurance Companies: We deal directly with claims adjusters so you do not get tricked into low settlements.
• Calculating Full Costs: We work with doctors to calculate the full cost of your lifelong medical care and lost wages.
• Taking Your Case to Trial: If the insurance company refuses to pay what is fair, we are real trial lawyers who will bring your case before a jury.

Our team has won over $500,000,000 in verdicts and settlements for our clients. We have been recognized by the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Proudly Representing Texas Residents