Austin, TX, has seen rapid growth over the past 12 years. However, with growth comes growing pains, like traffic congestion and car accidents. Austin car accident statistics show that the city has thousands of traffic crashes annually, resulting in nearly 100 deaths every year.
If you were in a car accident, Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers is here to support you. Our Austin car accident attorneys have 32 years of combined experience and have recovered millions of dollars in damages for our clients. We’re ready to put that experience to work for you—contact us today at (512) 503-4878 for a free consultation.
How Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After A Car Accident In Austin, TX
If you have been injured in an accident, our Austin car accident attorneys can help you in the following ways:
- Reviewing your crash and identifying the legal claims you can assert
- Building a case by collecting evidence, such as medical records and crash reports
- Filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s auto insurance carrier
- Negotiating to resolve your case
- Filing a lawsuit if the insurer won’t cooperate
Car crashes in Austin, Texas, can result in sizable medical bills and devastating income losses.
Contact Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers to request a free consultation with an Austin personal injury attorney to discuss the compensation you may be entitled to.
Austin, TX Traffic Accident Statistics
Statistics from TxDOT show that traffic accidents in Austin in 2023 resulted in the following outcomes:
- 93 fatal crashes
- 415 suspected serious injury crashes
- 2,670 suspected minor injury crashes
- 2,773 possible injury crashes
- 12,331 total crashes
The severity of a crash is determined by the most serious injury suffered by anyone involved in the accident. For instance, a crash that kills one person and seriously injures two others would be classified as a fatal crash even though two of the victims survived.
Bear in mind that injuries are assessed at the crash scene by the investigating officers. As a result, not all of them may be reported. For example, a crash victim may tell first responders that they feel fine at the accident site but later experience delayed symptoms.
Causes Of Traffic Accidents in Austin, TX
According to the CRIS Crash Data Analysis for 2023, traffic collisions in Austin result from a handful of common dangerous driving behaviors, including the following:
Speeding
Speeding is a leading cause of collisions. There were a total of 1,960 speeding-related accidents. Speeding increases the chances that a driver will lose control and strike a fixed object, such as a guardrail or traffic sign, or another vehicle.
The energy of a moving vehicle increases exponentially with its speed. When the vehicle hits something, that energy can easily break bones and tear soft tissues.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a significant and growing contributor to vehicle accidents across the country, including in Austin. 2,034 accidents were the result of distracted driving. A driver is distracted when they engage in any activity that takes their attention away from the primary task of driving.
Distractions are categorized into three main types:
- Visual: Taking eyes off the road (e.g., looking at a phone or GPS).
- Manual: Taking hands off the wheel (e.g., eating, reaching for an object, texting).
- Cognitive: Taking mental focus away from driving (e.g., talking on the phone, daydreaming).
Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction simultaneously. Texas law prohibits using a handheld device to read, write, or send an electronic message while operating a vehicle.
Drunk Driving
Despite aggressive public awareness campaigns and strict enforcement, drunk driving remains a major cause of fatal and serious injury collisions. Drunk driving contributed to 642 accidents. A person is legally intoxicated in Texas if their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or greater. However, a driver’s impairment can begin with the first drink.
Alcohol intoxication impairs the skills necessary for safe driving, including:
- Coordination and reaction time
- Judgment and decision-making
- Vision and the ability to track moving objects
When a drunk driver causes a crash, the injured victim may be entitled to recover not only compensatory damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering) but also punitive damages, which are intended to punish the at-fault driver for their egregious behavior.
Contact Our Austin Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash in Austin, don’t face the aftermath alone. Our experienced Austin car accident attorneys are ready to help you understand your rights, build a strong claim, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call Heaton McLean Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation. There are no obligations and no fees unless we win.