This Blog was published by Carabin Shaw Personal Injury Lawyers – San Antonio Car Accident Attorneys
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Texas
Texas consistently ranks among the most dangerous states in the country when it comes to car accidents. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were over 4,000 traffic fatalities reported in a single recent year, and hundreds of thousands of additional crashes resulted in serious injuries. Behind every one of those numbers is a real person whose life was turned upside down by someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior. The car accident lawyers in Houston at Carabin Shaw have handled cases stemming from virtually every type of crash scenario, and they know that understanding the cause of an accident is essential to building a winning case. If you have been injured in a Texas car accident, experienced car accident attorneys can help you identify who is responsible and hold them accountable.
No two car accidents are exactly the same, but certain patterns emerge again and again across Texas roads and highways. The car accident attorneys in Austin at Carabin Shaw have seen how these common causes of crashes lead to devastating injuries and life-altering consequences for victims and their families. Knowing what caused your accident is not just a matter of curiosity — it directly affects your ability to prove fault and recover damages. Texas car accident lawyers build cases by connecting the at-fault driver’s specific behavior to the harm you suffered, and the more clearly that connection is established, the stronger your claim becomes.
Whether the cause was distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, or something else entirely, car accident lawyers and attorneys who focus on Texas personal injury law have the tools and experience needed to get to the truth. Here are some of the most frequent causes of car accidents that Texas crash victims need to understand.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of car accidents in Texas and across the United States. While texting behind the wheel gets most of the attention, distraction takes many forms — eating, adjusting the radio, talking to passengers, using a GPS, or even daydreaming. Anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the task of driving creates a dangerous situation.
Texas banned texting while driving statewide, but enforcement remains difficult and the problem persists. A driver who glances at their phone for just five seconds at highway speed covers the length of a football field without watching the road. That is more than enough distance for a deadly collision to unfold.
Speeding
Speed is a factor in a significant percentage of fatal car accidents in Texas. Driving too fast reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around curves, extends the distance required to stop, and increases the severity of impact when a collision occurs. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the more violent the crash and the more catastrophic the resulting injuries.
Texas highways with posted speed limits of 75 or 80 miles per hour already push the limits of safe travel. When drivers exceed those limits or drive too fast for the weather and road conditions, the results are often tragic. Even in urban areas, speeding through residential neighborhoods and school zones puts pedestrians and other motorists at serious risk.
Drunk and Impaired Driving
Despite decades of public awareness campaigns and strict penalties, drunk driving remains a leading killer on Texas roads. Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction times, reduces coordination, and distorts a driver’s perception of speed and distance. The legal blood alcohol limit in Texas is 0.08 percent, but impairment begins well before that threshold.
Drugged driving is also a growing concern, including impairment from prescription medications, marijuana, and other substances. When an impaired driver causes a crash that injures or kills someone, the victim may be entitled to pursue punitive damages in addition to standard compensation.
Failure to Yield and Running Red Lights
Intersection accidents are among the most dangerous types of crashes because they often result in T-bone collisions where the side of a vehicle absorbs the full force of impact. Drivers who run red lights, ignore stop signs, or fail to yield the right of way put everyone around them at risk.
These crashes frequently cause severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord damage, and internal organ damage. Determining fault in intersection accidents often requires careful analysis of traffic signals, witness testimony, and surveillance camera footage.
Tailgating and Aggressive Driving
Following too closely is one of the most common and preventable causes of rear-end collisions. When a driver tailgates, they eliminate the stopping distance needed to react to sudden changes in traffic flow. If the lead vehicle brakes unexpectedly, a rear-end collision is almost inevitable.
Aggressive driving encompasses a range of dangerous behaviors, including tailgating, weaving between lanes, excessive speeding, and road rage. These drivers create chaos on the road and dramatically increase the risk of multi-vehicle pileups, particularly on congested highways.
Fatigued Driving
Drowsy driving is a problem that does not get the attention it deserves. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that fatigued driving contributes to tens of thousands of crashes each year. A driver who has been awake for 20 hours straight has impairment levels comparable to someone with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent.
Long-haul commercial truck drivers, shift workers, and anyone on Texas highways during late-night or early-morning hours are particularly vulnerable. Fatigue slows reaction times, impairs decision-making, and can cause microsleep episodes where a driver loses consciousness for brief but potentially deadly moments.
Poor Weather and Road Conditions
Texas weather can change rapidly, and many drivers fail to adjust their behavior when conditions deteriorate. Rain is the most common weather-related hazard, creating slick road surfaces and reducing visibility. Flash flooding is also a serious concern in many parts of the state.
While the weather itself does not cause accidents, drivers who fail to reduce speed, increase following distance, or turn on headlights in poor conditions are negligent. Government entities responsible for maintaining roads can also bear liability when poorly maintained road surfaces, inadequate signage, or defective traffic signals contribute to a crash.
What to Do If You Have Been Hurt
If any of these causes played a role in a car accident that injured you or someone you love, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Texas law allows crash victims to recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. However, the insurance companies representing at-fault drivers will fight to minimize what they pay.
The car accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw have the experience, resources, and determination to take on these fights and win. With a proven track record across Texas, they offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis so there is no financial risk to you. Reach out today and let them fight for the compensation you rightfully deserve.