Six Common Causes of Texas Car Accidents

Legally Reviewed by Dale R. Rose on August 13, 2026

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Texas

Most car accidents in Texas trace back to a handful of preventable driver behaviors: distraction, impairment, fatigue, speeding, tailgating, and failure to yield. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 3,896 people lost their lives and more than 205,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes across the state in 2020, and driver error remains the leading factor behind the overwhelming majority of these collisions.

The force behind an auto collision can leave a victim with injuries ranging from minor soft-tissue strains to permanent impairment. Many car accident victims find they are unable to return to work or manage their daily routines while they recover, and medical treatment often has the most significant financial effect on victims and their families.

When you work with Dale R. Rose as your McKinney car accident attorney, you have an advocate who can help you pursue the compensation available under Texas law. Dale can help you make an informed decision about your options after a crash caused by another driver’s negligence.

Six Causes of Car Accidents in Texas

Driver error or negligence contributes to the overwhelming majority of traffic crashes nationwide. Federal researchers attribute roughly 94% of traffic crashes to the driver rather than road conditions or a mechanical problem with the vehicle. Here are six of the most common causes of driver error on Texas roads.

Distracted Driving

Roughly 96,000 car crashes in Texas involve distracted driving each year. Drivers text, check social media, adjust navigation apps, or talk on the phone instead of watching the road. Even hands-free phone conversations can pull a driver’s attention away from traffic. Texas law prohibits handheld cellphone use while driving in many circumstances, but distraction from other sources remains common.

Driving Under the Influence

The Texas Department of Transportation reports that someone is killed or injured in an alcohol-related crash approximately every 20 minutes in Texas, and nearly 25% of all traffic-related deaths in the state involve an alcohol-impaired driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that drugs and alcohol impair several functions a driver needs behind the wheel:

• Judgment: Alcohol and other drugs dull the areas of the brain that control decision-making under pressure.
• Vision: Impairment reduces a driver’s ability to judge distance, speed, and the movement of other vehicles.
• Reaction time: Drugs and alcohol slow the brain’s ability to process information, leaving an impaired driver unable to respond in time to avoid a hazard.

Alcohol is also a depressant, which can leave a driver tired and less alert to their surroundings even at legal limits.

Drowsy Driving

Driving while fatigued can be every bit as dangerous as driving under the influence. According to the CDC, a driver who has been awake for 18 hours can experience cognitive, visual, and motor impairment similar to someone with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05. Drowsy drivers can nod off for just a second or two, which is enough time for a serious crash. Even drivers who never fully fall asleep behind the wheel can suffer from slower reaction times and confused decision-making.

Speeding

Higher average speeds are directly tied to both the likelihood of a crash and its severity. Speed is a contributing factor in roughly 31% of all fatal crashes. Speeding limits a driver’s ability to maneuver, reduces the time available to react to a sudden hazard or change in traffic, and increases the force of impact if a collision occurs.

Tailgating

Drivers who follow too closely shorten their own reaction time and put other motorists at risk of a rear-end collision. The NHTSA has found that tailgating and unsafe passing contribute to roughly 26.5% of rear-end collisions nationwide.

Failure to Yield

Failure to yield often causes sideswipe and side-impact accidents when a driver does not recognize their obligation to yield to other vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians. The NHTSA attributes roughly 7.3% of fatal crashes to failure to yield the right of way. These crashes often happen when drivers merge onto freeways, make left turns at intersections, cross pedestrian crosswalks, or miss a yield sign.

At Dale R. Rose Law, our aim is to help clients establish that their injury was caused by another driver’s negligence and to pursue the compensation Texas law allows.

How Fault Is Determined After a Texas Car Accident

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means more than one driver’s actions can be weighed when a court or insurer determines liability. Each party’s percentage of fault is compared, and a claimant’s recovery may be reduced by their own share of responsibility. A driver found to be more than 50% responsible for a crash is generally barred from recovering compensation. Determining liability in more complex crashes, such as multi-vehicle pileups, typically requires a more detailed investigation into how the collision unfolded.

What to Do After a Car Accident

The steps you take in the hours and days after a crash can affect your ability to recover compensation later. Consider the following general guidance:

• Seek medical attention even if your injuries seem minor, since some injuries do not produce symptoms right away.
• Call the police and request an official crash report documenting the scene.
• Document the scene with photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
• Collect contact and insurance information from every driver involved and get contact details for any witnesses.
• Notify your own insurer promptly, and avoid giving a recorded statement to another driver’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney.

Keeping thorough records early can make a meaningful difference if a claim is disputed later.

Difficulties Dealing with Insurance Companies

Texas is a “comparative fault” state, which means each driver’s negligence is weighed against the others. In some cases, only one driver is at fault, yet insurance companies may still attempt to reduce a settlement using tactics such as:

• Denying the claim by asserting their policyholder was not responsible for the crash
• Offering a settlement far below the actual cost of the injury-related damages
• Delaying the claim payout for months or longer

Understanding these tactics in advance can help you avoid accepting a settlement that does not reflect the true cost of your injuries.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

Texas law generally allows two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit related to a car accident. Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation altogether, so it is worth discussing your timeline with an attorney as soon as possible after a crash.

Speak to a McKinney, Texas Car Accident Lawyer

Dale R. Rose has represented injured Texans for decades and is recognized among the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 personal injury attorneys. He understands how to evaluate the costs associated with a car accident, including non-economic losses such as pain and suffering, and works to build a well-documented case while you focus on recovering from your injuries.

Dale R. Rose handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no attorney’s fees unless compensation is recovered on your behalf. To discuss your car accident and learn about your options, contact us to schedule a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Car Accidents