Most Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Houston

As the fourth-most populous city in the U.S., Houston’s traffic problems are notorious, including long commutes, congestion, and collisions. As anyone who has driven in Houston will tell you, car accidents are a daily occurrence on the roads and highways in our city. They range in severity from minor fender benders to catastrophic and fatal injury crashes.

The dedicated Houston car accident attorneys of The Callahan Law Firm live and work in Houston, and we have witnessed firsthand how dangerous it can be to drive here. We’re committed to helping people who’ve been hurt seek the compensation they’re owed if someone else’s negligence caused their accident.

If you’ve been injured, contact us to speak with one of our Houston car accident lawyers right away. The consultation is free and confidential.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Houston, TX?

Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Houston include:

Distracted driving – Distracted drivers are significantly more likely to overlook critical traffic events and cause a collision as a result. Common distracted driving behaviors include checking phone messages, personal grooming, eating, and interacting with passengers.
Driving under the influence – Drug and alcohol use can compromise safe driving abilities such as visual perception, judgment, reaction time, and reflexes. Even the use of some over-the-counter drugs can leave drivers dangerously impaired.
Reckless driving – Reckless drivers endanger themselves and others by making risky maneuvers on the road without regard for safety. Common examples of reckless driving include lane weaving and cutting off others in traffic.
Drowsy driving – Many car accidents occur every year simply because some motorists are too tired to drive safely. Drowsy driving can be just as risky as drunk driving, and the danger increases with each additional hour of sleep deprivation.
Speeding – When drivers exceed posted speed limits or drive too fast for the conditions they are driving in, they have less time to react and require more distance to stop. This can significantly increase the likelihood and severity of traffic collisions.
Tailgating – Drivers who follow too closely behind other vehicles due to frustration or distraction frequently cause devastating rear-end collisions, which can result in severe injuries such as whiplash, spinal trauma, and head injuries.
Poor road conditions – When local government agencies fail to maintain public roads, loss-of-control accidents can occur due to cracks in the pavement, potholes, standing water from inadequate drainage, and other issues.
Failure to yield – Drivers who fail or refuse to recognize others’ right-of-way could cause a severe injury accident. These accidents frequently happen when drivers merge onto highways, make unsafe turns, or travel through crosswalks.
Failure to stop – Failure-to-stop accidents occur when drivers fail to stop at red lights or stop signs. Most of these accidents happen at intersections and could result in disastrous T-bone, sideswipe, or head-on collisions.
Inexperienced drivers – Teen drivers and drivers with limited experience are less likely to recognize hazards or react quickly enough to avoid accidents. Inexperienced drivers often follow other drivers too closely or fail to yield appropriately.
Unsafe lane changes – Unsafe lane changes often happen when drivers fail to check their blind spots or fail to signal their intentions to the other drivers on the road.
Dangerous turns – A dangerous turn involves a driver who proceeds through a turn without first signaling or checking adjacent traffic lanes. Dangerous turns through intersections frequently result in severe T-bone or head-on collisions.
Vehicle defects – Some accidents result from the failure of defective car parts such as tires, brakes, or airbags. These defects may occur due to improper maintenance by the driver or negligence on behalf of the manufacturers or retailers.

Compensation for Houston Car Accident Victims

With the help of a knowledgeable attorney, you could be entitled to money from a car accident injury claim as compensation for the following losses after a crash:

Past, ongoing, and projected future medical expenses from the treatment of your accident-related injuries
Lost wages from any time you missed at work while you were recovering from your accident-related injuries
Losses in your future earning capacity if your accident-related injuries leave you with a disability that prevents you from resuming your previous job or career path
The human damages of the physical pain, mental suffering, and emotional anguish you endure as a result of the car accident and your subsequent injuries
Incidental, out-of-pocket expenses you incur as a result of the accident, such as the costs of transportation to and from medical appointments
Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle if it was damaged in the accident

Houston Car Accident Statistics

Houston has a high rate of traffic accidents that occur every year. According to data published by the Texas Department of Transportation:

There were 58,167 crashes in the city of Houston in just one recent year.
Of those 58,167 crashes, 17,784 (more than 30 percent) resulted in possible, non-incapacitating, or suspected severe injuries.
There were 263 fatal crashes in Houston that resulted in 274 deaths that year.
Throughout Texas, the fatality rate per every hundred million vehicle miles traveled increased 5.66 percent in 2020.

How Our Lawyers Can Help Victims of Houston Car Accidents

The aftermath of a car accident can feel shocking and overwhelming. You may be uncertain where to turn. The empathetic attorneys at The Callahan Law Firm can support you every step of the way by:

Explaining your legal rights and your options for pursuing fair compensation
Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident to identify crucial evidence and determine who was at fault
Managing important legal deadlines and documents on your behalf
Communicating with insurance representatives, attorneys, and other third parties on your behalf
Consulting with expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists, who can provide crucial supporting testimony for your claim
Negotiating forcefully during settlement talks to maximize your compensation
Taking your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement that accounts for all of your accident-related losses

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Houston

If you’ve been severely injured or if you have lost a loved one in a crash in Houston or the surrounding areas, we want to help you. Contact the experts at The Callahan Law Firm today for a free case evaluation with one of our skilled team members.