Have you ever driven past a bad wreck in the 610 loop and wondered how many auto accidents occur per day in Houston?
The Texas Department of Transportation reports that Houston roads saw 68,682 crashes in 2019 alone. That’s far more than any other Texas city in the study. (Runners up were San Antonio with 42,786 car accidents and Dallas with 36,862.)
If we do the math, that means 188 car accidents happen in Houston per day.
We can further break down the year’s total number of crashes into the following categories:
- 240 fatal crashes, resulting in 253 deaths
- 1,200 suspected serious crashes with 1,392 suspected serious injuries
- 5,357 non-incapacitating crashes
- 15,329 possible injury crashes
- 43,328 non-injury crashes
- 3,228 crashes of unknown severity
In our line of work, we understand that even when crashes are classified as “non-injurious,” they can still seriously disrupt a victim’s life. What are some of the causes of these accidents, and what can you do if you find yourself involved in one? Read on to discover the answers every Houston driver needs to know.
How many cars drive in Houston every day? Is Houston traffic bad?
In one recent year, the U.S. Census Bureau report counted nearly 1.4 million vehicles in Houston.
Additionally, a new study by the Federal Highway Administration found Houstonians drove an average of 36 miles per day – the highest driving per capita among the numerous urban areas surveyed across the nation.
We all know Houston traffic is no joke. The city’s sprawling size combined with its limited public transportation options are a recipe for disaster. Plus, over the last decade, the Greater Houston metropolitan area had the third largest population growth in the country!
Now, we are the most populated city in Texas. Nearly 7 million residents call Houston home, and many of them have long commutes. This means tons of automobiles are on the roads for hours each day, sometimes in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Most Dangerous Roads in Houston
Busy city streets mean more chances for accidents. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, last year throughout Texas 75% of all accidents occurred in urban areas while only 25% of accidents occurred in rural areas.
Farm-to-market roads passing through urban areas have the highest incidence of accidents. FM 1960 alone carries more than 60,000 vehicles per day and sees about a dozen deaths per year.
Recently, tech company Lytx compiled data from cameras in Houston vehicles. Their findings revealed the most dangerous roads in Houston:
- I-610 at the intersection with North McCarty Street
- I-10 West of intersection 1-610
- Intersection of I-10 and I-45 near Providence Street
- East of the intersection between I-45 and I-610
- I-45 between West Cavalcade Street and West Patton Street
According to Lytx, the most car accidents in Houston happened on Friday mornings between 9AM and noon.
Furthermore, a study by ValuePenguin concluded I-45 was the second-most dangerous highway in America, averaging 56 fatal accidents every 100 miles.
Beltway 8, also known as the Sam Houston Freeway, stretches 88 miles around the Houston area. Its intersections are the sites of numerous accidents. In fact, data from the TxDOT suggests the intersection of Sam Houston Freeway and Bissonnet Street is the most dangerous intersection in the state of Texas.
What causes Houston car accidents?
The Texas Department of Transportation compiles data on crash contributing factors. Last year, the top two causes of Texas car accidents were listed as speeding and plain ol’ “driver inattention.”
We all make mistakes. According to federal transportation authorities, human error causes most traffic collisions. Every year, at least 1 out of every 3 deadly truck wrecks involves driver-related factors. Risky and reckless behaviors like rolling stops and texting while driving put people in harm’s way every day in Houston.
Other common contributing factors in TxDOT’s report included making unsafe lane changes, failing to yield, tailgating, running stop signs or red lights, and encountering animals in the road.
Below are some other common causes of car accidents we’ve encountered here in Houston as we help injured victims navigate their road to recovery.
Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol plays a part in many car crashes. Last year there were 2,436 Houston DUI crashes, resulting in 73 fatalities.
Commercial Vehicles
6,369 car accidents in Harris County involved commercial motor vehicles such as semi trucks. The massive size of trucks like these makes them unwieldy and hazardous to smaller cars sharing the road with them. To add to the problem, many commercial truck drivers are overworked or improperly trained. They may be speeding to meet a deadline or distracted by rerouting their GPS.
Additionally, commercial vehicles require routine maintenance. Ideally, they should be inspected before and after every trip they make. If this maintenance is neglected, a faulty auto part could cause an accident on the road. For example, tire blowouts are one common cause of semi truck accidents.
Road Work
It’s fair to say Houston residents are well-acquainted with construction zones. Our city seems to be an eternal work in progress!
Unexpected detours or road closures can heighten tensions on the road and lead to car accidents. Last year, Harris County had 2,756 crashes in work zones, while Fort Bend County had 738.
Hurt in a Houston car accident?
If you’ve been involved in a Houston car accident, we can help.
After a car accident, there’s a lot to think about. How will you take care of your home, run errands, or provide for your family? If your car was totaled, how can you get a rental car or make up for the time you had to take off of work? Most importantly of all, how will you recover from your injuries and pay off your medical bills?
We know these problems can be overwhelming, and we’ve made it our job to handle them. We believe you shouldn’t have to cope with any unnecessary stress after the trauma of a car accident.
A Houston car accident lawyer can connect you to all the resources you need and deserve. Give us a call or request a free consultation here.
