Austin Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics
September 18, 2022
Traffic crash statistics clearly show how often collisions are happening in Austin, what’s causing them, and what the outcomes are. Although Austin motor vehicle accident statistics offer both positive and negative insights about crash trends in this community, the data also highlights:
- Where most car crashes happen in Austin
- Where you should be extra careful whenever you’re traveling on risker roads
- How avoidable negligence commonly factors into Austin traffic collisions
Austin Car Accident Statistics
The latest car accident statistics for Austin, TX, sourced from data published by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), reveal that far too many people are getting injured and killed on Austin’s roads, despite several technological advancements, roadway upgrades, and safety campaigns:
- There were 12,433 car accidents in Austin, TX, in 2021.
- On average, at least 34 car crashes happen in Austin every day.
- A total of 113 deadly wrecks occurred in Austin in 2021, resulting in 104 fatalities.
- Roughly 2.3% of all fatal car accidents in Texas occur in Austin.
- While about 1% of Austin car accidents in 2021 involved distracted drivers, about 8% involved drunk drivers.
- About 3% of Austin traffic crashes occur in highway work zones.
- Since 2018, traffic crashes in Austin have dropped dramatically, declining by nearly 21%.
- Over the past 10 years, motor vehicle accidents in Austin have decreased by close to 8%.
Austin Commercial Vehicle Accident Statistics
Commercial vehicles — including 18-wheelers, construction trucks, tow trucks, and more — crash far less often than passenger vehicles, the latest Austin commercial vehicle accident statistics show. In fact, according to the numbers:
- There were 129 commercial vehicle accidents in Austin, TX, in 2021.
- Only one fatal commercial vehicle accident occurred in Austin in 2021.
- About 7% of Austin commercial vehicle accidents result in serious injuries.
- Since 2018, commercial vehicle wrecks in Austin have skyrocketed, surging by nearly 87%.
- Although TxDOT provides little data regarding the causes of Austin commercial vehicle crashes, federal data sheds far more light on these causes, highlighting the facts that:
- About 50% of all commercial vehicle accidents involving 18-wheelers have at least one truck and one passenger vehicle involved.
- When trucks and passenger vehicles collide, the driver of the passenger vehicle is most often at fault for the wreck.
- The number one cause of truck accidents is human error, with the top 5 “critical reasons” for these accidents being traffic flow interruptions, unfamiliarity with the roadway, inadequate surveillance, driving too fast for the conditions, and making illegal maneuvers.
13 Most Dangerous Roads in Austin, TX
According to the latest data from the Austin Department of Transportation (ADOT), more than 350 people have been severely hurt or killed on the following 13 roads in Austin, TX, over the past 5 years.
Here are the latest Austin motor vehicle accident statistics, the top 13 most dangerous roads & intersections in Austin & how to get help after a wreck.
| Dangerous Austin Road | Riskiest Section of the Road |
|---|---|
| Airport Blvd. | Manor Rd. to Springdale |
| Riverside Dr. | Lakeshore Blvd. to Montopolis Dr. |
| Burnet Rd. | US 183 to MoPac |
| South Congress Ave. | Ben White Blvd. to William Cannon Dr. |
| Cameron Rd. | E St. Johns Ave. to Rundberg Ln. |
| South Pleasant Valley Rd. | Cesar Chavez St. to Oltorf St. |
| East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Airport Blvd to Johnny Morris Rd. |
| Slaughter Ln. | Menchaca Rd. to IH-35 |
| North Lamar Blvd. | US 183 to Braker Ln. |
| South First St. | Stassney Ln. to Slaughter Ln. |
| North Lamar Blvd. | Koenig Ln. to US 183 |
| William Cannon Dr. | Menchaca Rd. to Elm Creek Dr. |
| Parmer Ln. | Metric Blvd. to Dessau Rd. |
Some of the factors that make these Austin roads so dangerous include (and are not limited to):
- A lack of or poorly maintained crosswalks and/or sidewalks
- Confusing or missing traffic signs
- Timing issues with traffic signals
- Poorly situated bus stops
- Poor or no street lighting
- No bicycle lanes
That’s why ADOT has classified these 13 roads as “high-injury roadways,” and it’s why many of them are the focus of recent, current, or future highway upgrade projects.
How to Get Help After an Austin Motor Vehicle Accident
While the statistics about Austin car accidents can be startling, shocking, and unnerving, they cannot help the victims recover or secure justice. An experienced Austin car accident lawyer can, though. In fact, with an Austin motor vehicle accident attorney, victims can get advice, advocacy, and support, which can make all of the difference when it’s time to file a claim and seek fair, just outcomes.