by Dallas Car Accident Injury Attorney, Tim O’Hare
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A car accident occurs about every 59 seconds on Texas roads. In 2017, car accidents in Texas caused 254,853 injuries and 3,794 deaths, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. None of us wake up planning to be in a car accident, yet every two minutes and four seconds, someone is injured in a car wreck.
These statistics are staggering. Tragically, many of the most common causes of car accidents are entirely preventable. Understanding common causes of car accidents may help you avoid being in a wreck yourself.
According to statewide data and statistics from TXDOT, here are the seven leading causes of all Texas auto accidents:
- Speeding
- Distracted Driving
- Failure to stay in a single lane
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe lane change
- Following too closely
- Improper evasive action
The top causes of fatal accidents include:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Veering into another lane
- Failure to yield
- Distracted driving
- Over-correcting
- Failure to obey stop signs
Though the fatality rate on Texas roadways decreased slightly (2.86 percent) from 2016 to 2017, even one death is one too many. Each of us can do our part to make Texas roads more safe by following driving laws, and eliminating factors such as distracted driving and drunk driving.
If you are involved in a car accident, do you know what to do? Being prepared will save you some headache, and could mean the difference between life and death. Here are nine things to do if you’re involved in an auto accident.
- Turn your car engine off and turn on hazard lights.
- Remain at the scene of the accident.
- Call 9-1-1.
- Seek Medical Attention.
- Exchange information.
- Photograph and document the accident.
- Do not accept offers to settle on the spot.
- Always carry an emergency kit in your car.
- Keep a list of contact numbers in your phone and in your car.
If you have been seriously injured or lost a family member in a car accident, contact The Law Offices of Tim O’Hare to speak with a Dallas car accident attorney today.
Call The Law Offices of Tim O’Hare for your FREE Case Evaluation
972-960-0000 or Toll-Free 888-960-0020
