Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents Dropped Slightly in 2023

In April, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced final traffic fatality data for 2022 and preliminary data for 2023. Nationwide, motor vehicle accident deaths declined slightly in 2023, to 40,999 estimated traffic deaths. While that’s lower than the previous year, it’s still higher than any year prior to 2021. The increases haven’t been small, either. In the 10 years between 2014 and 2023, traffic fatalities increased by more than 25%. 

Across the same time period, the rate of traffic deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled increased by more than 16%.

2023 Texas Traffic Crash Data

According to the NHTSA, the number of traffic deaths in Texas also declined slightly from 2022 to 2023. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) offers more detailed information about crashes in the state, and in specific areas within the state. 

TxDOT reports 638,704 motor vehicle accidents in the state in 2023. That’s just shy of 1,750 each day. However, most of those collisions aren’t serious. 16,352 of those crashes, or about 2.5%, are believed to have involved serious injuries. Another 77,367, or about 12%, are believed to have involved minor injuries. Most involved only property damage.

Dallas Automobile Accident Statistics

59,136 crashes were reported in Dallas County in 2023, including 35,381 within the city of Dallas. Of those auto accidents in the city, 201 involved fatalities. Another 1,019 are believed to have involved serious injury and 4,408 to have involved minor injuries. That puts the percentage of Dallas motor vehicle accidents that involved injuries very slightly higher than the statewide number. Still, the vast majority of reported accidents did not involve injuries. 

Houston Automobile Accident Statistics

Houston covers a lot more ground than Dallas, so it’s no surprise that the number of traffic crashes annually is higher. In 2023, there were 76,207 motor vehicle crashes in Houston, involving nearly 200,000 people. 287 of those crashes involved fatalities. Of those, 1,456 are believed to have involved serious injury, and another 5,899 to have involved minor injuries. Though the raw numbers are higher, the percentage of accidents involving injury–overall and in each category–is lower in Houston than statewide or in Dallas. 

About 90% of Houston car and truck accidents involve only property damage.

Why are There So Many Texas Motor Vehicle Accidents?

While factors like weather conditions, debris in the road, poor lighting and others may play a role in car and truck accidents, most motor vehicle accidents involve some degree of negligence on the part of one or both drivers. In 2023: 

• 174,900 Texas motor vehicle accidents were speed-related
• 115,802 Texas motor vehicle accidents involved distracted driving
• 26,040 Texas motor vehicle accidents involved driving under the influence of alcohol
• 3,280 Texas motor vehicle accidents involved driving under the influence of drugs

Observing traffic safety laws and staying attentive on the road reduces the chances of a traffic crash. But, you can’t control the actions of other drivers. When you’re injured because someone else was speeding, texting while driving, driving under the influence or careless in some other way, that person is likely responsible for paying your medical bills and compensating you for other damages. If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver, you should contact a Texas car accident law firm right away.

Take Care of Yourself after a Car Accident

Some car accidents don’t seem serious at first, but cause injuries that don’t show up right away. Sometimes that’s because the injured person was in shock after the accident, or adrenalin was masking the pain. Sometimes it’s because an invisible injury is continuing to worsen–for example, internal bleeding or swelling. 

If you’re at all uncertain about whether you’re okay after a traffic crash–even a minor one–err on the side of caution and see a doctor as soon as possible. If you feel fine after the accident but notice symptoms the next day, or even days later, it’s a good idea to play it safe and get checked out. Sometimes, the symptoms that warn of an undiscovered injury aren’t what you would expect. For example, nausea can mean a head injury, and numbness or tingling in your hands can be a sign of a spinal cord injury. When in doubt, it’s best to consult a professional.

That’s true when it comes to consulting an attorney, too. 

If you find that you have been injured, the best time to contact a lawyer is right away. Insurance companies don’t always play fair, so the less interaction you have with them, the better. Talking to an attorney as soon as possible after the accident will also give your lawyer the best chance to collect evidence and speak to witnesses before physical evidence is lost and witness memories fade.