The Leading Causes of Traffic Collisions in Texas

October 14, 2025 - Personal Injury

Introduction

Traffic collisions remain a major public safety concern in Texas. Every year, thousands of Texans are injured or killed in crashes—and many of these collisions are caused by behaviors or conditions that are preventable. To help drivers stay safer and to inform victims of their legal rights, we at Reyna Law Firm break down the the leading causes of traffic collisions in Texas and what you should know if you or a loved one has been impacted.

Why Understanding Crash Causes Matters

• Liability & legal claims: Identifying the cause of a collision is often central to establishing negligence and securing compensation for injuries, property damage, and other losses.
• Prevention & advocacy: By knowing what causes most crashes, individuals, communities, and lawmakers can push for safer road design, stricter enforcement, or educational campaigns.
• Victim support: Understanding how a crash occurred can help victims and their attorneys reconstruct events, critique policing or crash reports, and negotiate with insurers more effectively.

Top Causes of Traffic Collisions in Texas

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and crash-data repositories track key contributing factors. Below are the leading causes, supported by recent data and real-world case patterns.

1. Speeding & Unsafe Speed Control

Speeding (or driving at an unsafe speed for conditions) consistently ranks as the top contributing factor in Texas crashes.

• In 2023, about 25.7% of crashes were linked to speeding or unsafe speed relative to surroundings.
• Speed reduces reaction time, increases stopping distance, and magnifies crash forces — all of which worsen crash outcomes.
• TxDOT’s safety tips highlight that most collisions result from speeding, failure to yield, driving under the influence, following too closely, and running red lights or stop signs.

Because speeding is often a conscious choice, courts and insurers may view it as evidence of recklessness or willful disregard, which can affect compensation arguments.

2. Distracted Driving & Driver Inattention

Distracted driving has emerged as a major modern threat on Texas roads.

• In 2023, TxDOT estimates 94,410 reported crashes involved distracted driving, contributing to hundreds of fatalities and thousands of serious and minor injuries.
• Distractions include texting, adjusting a phone or GPS, eating, fiddling with radio/climate controls, and passenger interactions.
• Because Texas bans handheld texting while driving, evidence of texting or phone use at the time of a crash can bolster negligence claims.

3. Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or impairing drugs remains a leading cause of serious and fatal collisions.

• In 2023, Texas had about 23,870 DUI-related crashes, resulting in serious injuries and fatalities.
• A significant share of fatal crashes involve drivers with prohibited blood alcohol content (BAC) or impairment from substances.
• Impairment degrades judgment, reaction time, coordination, and perception — compounding risk especially in heavy traffic or adverse conditions.

Because DUI is often a statutory violation, proving impairment (via police reports, toxicology) can be powerful evidence in a legal claim.

4. Failure to Yield / Running Signals & Signs

Many collisions occur because drivers fail to obey basic traffic control rules: yielding, stop signs, or red lights.

• In 2023, ignoring or failing to see a stop sign or light contributed to over 1,500 crashes involving fatalities or serious injuries.
• Such errors are especially dangerous at intersections, merging lanes, and when engaging with pedestrians or cross traffic.
• Because the rules (stop, yield, traffic light) are clear and well-defined, proof of violation is often more straightforward in litigation.

5. Unsafe or Improper Lane Changes & Failure to Maintain Lane

Collisions from drivers making sudden or poorly timed lane changes, or drifting between lanes, are frequent across Texas highways and urban roads.

• Unsafe lane changes accounted for approximately 7.75% of Texas accidents in 2023.
• Failing to maintain a single lane (i.e. drifting) was responsible for 6.97% of crashes statewide in 2023.
• These errors often result from distraction, fatigue, or misjudgment, and can cause sideswipe, merging, or “cut off” collisions.

6. Drowsy / Fatigued Driving

Driving while tired, drowsy, or fatigued is a less visible but serious risk.

• Fatigue slows reaction times, impairs awareness, and can lead to microsleep or losing control of the vehicle.
• In 2023, fatigue or drowsiness contributed to 8,433 crashes statewide, including fatalities.

Though harder to detect than intoxication or speeding, evidence such as driver logs, hours driven, or testimony may help support claims in fatigue-related crashes.

7. Aggressive Driving, Tailgating, and Road Rage

Aggressive behaviors amplify risks by compounding speed, impatience, and dangerous maneuvers.

• Tailgating, sudden lane cutting, weaving, brake-checking, or retaliatory behavior can spark multi-vehicle collisions.
• Road rage episodes may escalate a minor traffic dispute into a high-risk crash scenario.

Because aggressive driving often reflects a conscious disregard for safety, it can strengthen claims of gross negligence in serious cases.

8. Environmental, Roadway, or Vehicle-Related Factors

While human error is the primary cause, external factors can contribute or exacerbate crashes:

• Poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage, or defective road design.
• Inclement weather (rain, fog, ice) reducing visibility or traction.
• Mechanical failures or vehicle defects (brakes, tires, steering) which reduce control.

When such factors play a role, legal cases may involve not only driver negligence but claims against municipalities, agencies, or manufacturers.

Legal Implications: Why Cause Matters in Texas Crash Claims

• Negligence & fault: To win compensation in Texas, a crash victim generally must prove another driver’s breach of duty (i.e. unsafe speed, distracted use of phone, ignoring traffic controls) caused the collision.
• Comparative fault & shared blame: Texas follows a proportionate responsibility system. If an injured party is found partly to blame, their recovery is reduced accordingly. Clear attribution of primary cause is crucial.
• Punitive or enhanced damages: In extreme cases (e.g. DUI, recklessness), courts may allow punitive damages beyond standard compensation.
• Expert testimony & reconstruction: In accidents involving multiple possible causes (e.g. lane change + speed + distraction), expert analysis helps establish the dominant cause.
• Multiple liable parties: When a crash involves roadway defects, malfunctioning signals, or vehicle defects, liability may extend beyond the striking driver to city agencies or manufacturers.

Because causation is often contested by insurers or defendants, a careful investigation, gathering evidence (black boxes, cameras, witness statements), and timely legal action are pivotal.

Preventive Tips for Safer Driving in Texas

While not a substitute for legal advice, here are common safety practices that help reduce crash risk:

1. Observe speed limits & adjust for conditions: Slow down in poor weather, heavy traffic, or construction zones.
2. Eliminate distractions: Use hands-free tech, pull over to text, and minimize in-vehicle multitasking.
3. Never drive impaired: Plan alternate transport or ride-shares if consuming alcohol or medications.
4. Yield to traffic & obey signals: Stop fully, observe right-of-way rules, and look before entering intersections.
5. Signal & scan before lane changes: Use mirrors, check blind spots, and give room.
6. Rest before driving long distances: Take breaks, rotate drivers, and avoid monotony.
7. Stay calm & patient: Avoid aggressive maneuvers, tailgating, or escalating conflicts.
8. Maintain your vehicle: Regular inspections, especially of tires, brakes, and lights.
9. Document the scene: If a crash occurs, photograph damage, road signs, skid marks, and get witness contact info.
10. Seek legal & medical attention early: Prompt evaluation can preserve rights and health outcomes.

How Reyna Law Firm Can Help After a Collision

At Reyna Law Firm, we understand the complexity and urgency that follows a serious traffic collision. Here’s what we can do for you:

• Free case evaluation: We’ll review your crash report, medical records, and evidence to determine if you have a claim.
• Causation reconstruction: We work with accident reconstruction experts to identify what truly caused the crash.
• Negotiation with insurers: We handle communications with at-fault parties’ insurers to fight for full compensation.
• Representation in court: If necessary, we’ll litigate your case and advocate for your rights in the courtroom.
• Maximizing recovery: We pursue past/future medical costs, lost wages, pain & suffering, property damage, and in extreme cases, punitive damages.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Texas traffic collision, it’s essential to act quickly. Evidence vanishes, witness memories fade, and legal time limits (statutes of limitation) can bar claims if you wait too long.

Conclusion

Traffic collisions in Texas are overwhelmingly caused by a few recurring behaviors: speeding, distraction, impairment, failure to obey controls, lane errors, fatigue, and aggressive driving. While these causes are familiar, their consequences are devastating—and often preventable.

If you’ve been affected by a collision, understanding what caused it is key to protecting your rights. Reyna Law Firm is here to help you sort through the facts, hold responsible parties accountable, and secure fair compensation so you can focus on recovery.

Take Action Today

The decisions you make after a car accident in Texas can affect your recovery for years to come. Don’t wait. Protect your future by reaching out to Reyna Law Firm.

📞 Call us 24/7 at 866-918-1994
💻 Visit www.reynainjurylaw.com
📅 Schedule a Free Consultation Today

At Reyna Law Firm, we fight, you heal. Justice starts with one call.