Why Houston Ranks in Top 10 for Car Crashes
Driving is always a risk. Anytime you go out on the roadway, there is the possibility that you may get into an accident. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving 100 miles or you’re simply going around the block.
But some areas of the country have a higher risk of car crashes than others. They tend to be cities where there are a lot more drivers, which makes sense because more vehicles on the road means a higher risk of accidents.
With help from research compiled from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Allstate, you can see the top areas for car accidents. Among the top 10 cities for car accidents in the United States, Houston comes in at #8.
In Houston, the fatality rate per 100,000 people is 11.5. For Dallas, the fatality rate is 17, placing it at #8 on the list.
In Houston, the average number of years between collisions is 7.66.The relative likelihood of a car accident is 38.1%, which doesn’t put Houston in the top 10. Baltimore, MD had the highest collision risk, at a whopping 153%, which means car crashes are about four times likely in Baltimore.
The good news is that the accidents are not likely to be fatal. Houston does not rank in the top 10 for fatality rate. The top spot goes to Memphis, TN, with a fatality rate of 34 per 100,000 people.
What is Causing These Accidents?
So why is Houston a hot spot for car accidents? Here’s a look at the top contributing factors for Houston car crashes:
- Failure to control speed. In 2023, failure to control speed was reported as the number one cause of car accidents in Texas This may indicate actions such as aggressive driving, sudden braking, or influences such as slippery roads or weather. Not controlling one’s speed can lead to serious accidents such as rear-end collisions and hitting objects or going off the road due to loss of control.
- Distracted driving. Driver inattention occurs when drivers are distracted by activities such as texting, eating, or adjusting the radio, which takes their focus off the road. Even a momentary lapse in attention can cause a crash or cause a vehicle to go off the road.
- Failure to yield the right-of-way. This is a major cause of accidents in Texas. This occurs when drivers do not give way to other vehicles with the right-of-way, leading to serious accidents. Two common scenarios are stop signs and turning left.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Houston is one of the top cities for car accidents. If you commute to work or drive often for some other reason, you face a high risk of getting into a crash.
Personal injuries cause a lot of stress and hardships for everyone involved. You don’t have to handle these burdens on your own. Get the legal help you need from a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC. Call (281) 347-3247 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation today.
Source:
forbes.com/advisor/legal/auto-accident/cities-most-car-accidents/
