Dallas Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

Dallas, the third most populated city in Texas, has busy roads that see lots of traffic — and tens of thousands of motor vehicle accidents each year. In fact, Dallas auto accident statistics showcase how frequently wrecks happen, how negligence is involved, and what may be done to prevent future wrecks. This information also uncovers where most Dallas traffic crashes occur and where you should take extra precautions whenever you’re driving in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro.

Dallas Car Accident Statistics

The latest car accident statistics from state authorities emphasize how risky it can be to drive in and around Dallas, as well as some of the more common causes of auto wrecks in this area:

• There were 35,355 motor vehicle accidents in Dallas, TX, in 2021.
• Dallas ranks third in Texas for having the most traffic crashes, only trailing Houston and San Antonio, which ranked first and second, respectively.
• On average, at least 96 motor vehicle crashes occur every day in Dallas.
• In 2021, there were more than 200 fatal traffic crashes that resulted in 227 deaths on Dallas’s roads.
• About 4% of Dallas auto wrecks result in severe injuries.
• Drunk drivers caused more than 1,000 traffic wrecks in Dallas in 2021. That averages out to at least three drunk driving accidents in Dallas every day.
• In Dallas County in 2021, distracted drivers caused 6,920 traffic crashes.
• Dallas County also saw 3,748 highway work zone crashes in 2021.
• Since 2018, traffic crashes in Dallas have increased by more than 11%.
• Over the past 10 years, motor vehicle accidents in Dallas have surged by nearly 49%.

Dallas Commercial Vehicle Accident Statistics

Beyond passenger vehicle crashes, commercial vehicle crashes also occur at high rates in Dallas. Specifically, the latest data reveals that:

• There were 4,125 commercial vehicle accidents in Dallas, TX, in 2021.
• At least 38 of those were deadly wrecks, which killed 40 people.
• More than 3% of Dallas commercial vehicle accidents end in serious injuries.
• Since 2018, Dallas commercial vehicle wrecks have surged by nearly 10%.

These commercial vehicle accidents can involve several types of vehicles used to transport goods or people, including (but not limited to):

• 18-wheelers
• Tanker trucks
• Moving trucks
• Cement trucks
• Farm vehicles
• Refrigerated trucks
• Tow trucks
• Garbage trucks
• Passenger vans
• Buses

Notably, federal data shows that Texas has more 18-wheeler accidents than any other state in the nation and that:

• Most commercial vehicle wrecks happen on rural roads.
• When commercial vehicle crashes involve two vehicles, the passenger vehicle driver is the at-fault party in most cases.
• Commercial vehicle accidents across the U.S. have surged over the past 20 years.

10 Most Dangerous Roads in Dallas, TX

Dallas not only has some of the most dangerous roads in the Lone Star State, but it also has some of the deadliest highways, roads, and intersections across the U.S. According to the latest findings, the following are the most dangerous roads in Dallas, TX.

Some of the dangers known to be present on these risky Dallas roads include:

• High volumes of traffic
• Higher speed limits
• Street racing
• Substantial 18-wheeler traffic
• Insufficient street lighting
• Missing or insufficient medians and/or traffic signage
• Missing sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and/or crosswalks
• Potholes, cracks, and other signs of poor roadway maintenance
• Poorly timed signals

The Dallas Department of Transportation (DDOT) has completed and planned several road improvements and upgrade projects, as well as motorist safety campaigns, to try to address these risks. Still, many remain and present real threats to Dallas drivers.

What to Do After a Dallas Motor Vehicle Accident

A Dallas motor vehicle wreck can occur instantly, leaving you disoriented, distraught, and possibly injured. If you are ever involved in a crash in Dallas, TX, you can take steps to protect yourself, and the actions you do or don’t take can affect your ability to recover in the future.

So, if you aren’t severely injured or incapacitated after a Dallas crash, do the following to avoid more trauma while safeguarding a potential claim:

1. Get to safety and call the police immediately.
2. Get medical attention at the scene or immediately after, even if you’re not feeling a lot of pain and you don’t think you’re badly injured.
3. Collect information and evidence from the scene, including other parties’ contact and driver information, accident scene photos and videos, crash debris, etc.
4. Do NOT discuss anything other than the facts and never admit fault. Keep this in mind at the scene and when making statements afterward to any insurance company.
5. Report the wreck to your insurance company and try to make this report within 48 to 72 hours of the crash if possible. Many insurers require prompt reporting of crashes.
6. Consult a Dallas auto accident attorney to find out more about your rights and legal options.

There’s not a lot of time to take action and file a claim after a Dallas motor vehicle crash, so the sooner you exercise your rights to recover, the better.