Dallas Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

Dallas, the third most populated city in Texas, also ranks third when it comes to having the most traffic crashes in Texas, trailing only Houston and San Antonio (which rank first and second).

In fact, the latest statistics reveal that an average of about 97 car accidents occur every day in Dallas and that far too many of these collisions are caused by avoidable carelessness and preventable negligence.

Beyond that, recent Dallas auto accident statistics also uncover crucial details about:

• How frequently crashes occur in this major metro area
• Where mosft crashes are happening in Dallas, Texas
• The most dangerous times and days to be on Dallas roads
• How negligence tends to contribute to Dallas wrecks
• How to prevent crashes and stay safe on the roads

While authorities track and analyze these Dallas car crash statistics in an effort to improve roadway safety, any driver can use them to make safer choices about how to navigate Dallas’s roads — and how to minimize their crash risks when they are driving in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.

Dallas Car Accident Statistics

The data on auto wrecks in Dallas, collected and reported by state authorities, highlights how dangerous it can be to drive in Dallas. Please note that the information below is from 2021, the most recent year for available statistics (as of the publishing of this piece) — and that, each year, Dallas auto accident statistics are updated for the prior year, with data released in around the summertime:

• Nearly 35,400 motor vehicle accidents occur in Dallas, TX, each year.
• At least 200 deadly traffic crashes happen annually in Dallas, causing close to 230 deaths on Dallas’s roads.
• About 4% of Dallas auto wrecks result in severe injuries.
• Drunk drivers cause more than 1,000 traffic wrecks in Dallas each year. That works out to at least 3 drunk driving accidents in Dallas every day.
• Each year, over 6,900 traffic crashes in Dallas County are caused by distracted drivers. That works out to an average of about 19 distracted driving accidents in Dallas each day.
• Dallas County highway work zones are the sites of nearly 3,750 crashes annually. Most of these wrecks occur in the Spring and Summer when road construction picks up because of favorable weather conditions.
• Dallas traffic crashes have surged by at least 11% since 2018. While that may be attributed, at least in part, to the growing population of Dallas, it can also be linked to roadway maintenance failures, defective vehicle equipment, and general motorist negligence.
• Over the past decade, motor vehicle accidents in Dallas have skyrocketed by nearly 49%.

These Dallas motor vehicle accident statistics can be eye-opening and jaw-dropping, but they only scratch the surface, barely exposing how risky it can be to travel the roads in this Texas metro. Adding some key pieces to the puzzle are the commercial vehicle accident statistics for Dallas, Texas.

Dallas Commercial Vehicle Accident Statistics

Commercial vehicle crashes, just like passenger vehicle accidents, occur all too often in Dallas. In fact, according to the latest data:

• About 4,125 commercial vehicle accidents happen in Dallas each year. That works out to at least 11
•  commercial vehicle wrecks every day in Dallas.
• More than 38 of these collisions were fatal, killing roughly 40 people.
• More than 3% of Dallas commercial vehicle accidents end in serious injuries. That’s about 124 wrecks annually.
• Dallas commercial vehicle wrecks have surged by nearly 10% since 2018, roughly keeping pace with the increase in passenger vehicle accidents in Dallas over the past five years or so.

Notably, these commercial vehicle accidents can involve several types of vehicles used to transport goods or people. Specifically, that includes (and is not limited to):

Remarkably, Texas leads the nation in 18-wheeler accidents, ranking number one for having the most truck wrecks in the U.S. Additionally, federal data shows that:

• Most commercial vehicle wrecks in Dallas, TX, happen on rural roads.
• When commercial vehicle crashes involve two vehicles, the passenger vehicle driver tends to be the at-fault party in most cases.
• Commercial vehicle accidents across the U.S. have surged over the past 20 years.
• Commercial vehicle accidents tend to result in severe, if not deadly, injuries more often than passenger vehicle accidents.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads in Dallas, TX

Dallas is famous for its rich history and culture, as well as its thriving economy. Unfortunately, Dallas is also known for its incredibly dangerous roads that are often the sites of serious wrecks. In fact, according to the latest findings, here are the most dangerous roads in Dallas, TX, where your crash risk spikes.

These and other roads in Dallas  are particularly risky because they are associated with dangers like (and not limited to):

• High volumes of traffic, including significant 18-wheeler traffic
• High-speed limits
• Street racing
• Poor street lighting
• Poorly timed signals
• Missing or insufficient medians
• Confusing or missing traffic signage
• A lack of sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and/or crosswalks
• Potholes, cracks, and other signs of roadway maintenance failures

To address these and other risks, the Dallas Department of Transportation (DDOT) continues to work on improving roadway safety, with several road improvements and upgrade projects in the works, along with various campaigns aimed at promoting safe driving.

Nevertheless, these efforts haven’t eliminated all risks on Dallas’s roads — and it only takes the mistakes or negligence of one driver to set the stage for horrific auto accidents.

What to Do After a Dallas Motor Vehicle Accident

A motor vehicle wreck can occur instantly, leaving you disoriented, distraught, and deeply distressed. These crashes can also leave you hurt and looking for answers about how to recover. When that happens, here’s what you can do to protect yourself, take the right steps after a crash, and safeguard your options for recovery:

1. Get to a safe area, out of the way of traffic, and call the police immediately.
2. Get medical attention at the scene or immediately after, even if you’re not in a lot of pain or you don’t think you’re badly injured.
3. Collect information and evidence from the scene, including other parties’ contact and driver information, vehicle-related information, crash debris, and more.
4.  Take photos and videos of the crash. Try to capture as much of the scene as possible, including the damaged vehicles, nearby roadway features, the parties at the scene of the crash, any visible injuries, and more.
5. Do NOT discuss anything but the facts and never admit fault. Keep this in mind at the scene and when making statements afterward to any insurance company.
6. Report the wreck to your auto 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, detailing specific reporting deadlines in auto insurance policies.
7. Continue seeking medical care for your crash-related injuries, following through with all prescribed treatment while also complying doctors’ orders regarding restricted activities.
8. Get a copy of the police report for the crash and carefully review it, looking for any new potential evidence, as well as any information that may be incorrect.
9. Do not give an official statement to insurance companies until you are ready to only discuss the facts of the crash — and until you’re ready to do that on record, as a recorded statement.
10. Talk to a Dallas auto accident attorney to find out more about your rights and legal options.

Remember, the sooner you assert your rights to recover, the better. You don’t have unlimited time to file car accident claims in Dallas — and waiting too long can mean losing evidence and compromising the ability to collect full, fair compensation. Instead, consult a lawyer as soon as you think you have a claim. If you do, you can get the advice and counsel necessary to bring a strong claim and set it up for the best possible resolution.