Austin Car Crashes in 2020
Last year, Texans experienced lockdowns and other restrictions, just like the rest of the world. It would be easy to assume that fewer people on the road might mean fewer crashes. But the opposite was true. With less traffic, motorists were driving faster. As a result, more severe injury crashes and fatality crashes occurred in 2020 than in previous years.
Austin is a famous Texas city with a growing population. On Niche, The Live Music Capital of the World scores a desirable A-grade, with high marks for Diversity, Nightlife, and Public Schools. But an influx in residents and a bustling highway system mean plenty of crashes on Austin roads. So even in a year with a big emphasis on safety, Texas roads were full of hazards.
Texas Motor Vehicle Car Crash Statistics
Austin ranks high for some of the worst traffic in the U.S. This unfortunate distinction means Austin is right up there with New York City and Los Angeles regarding increased congestion and time spent in traffic each year. In 2020, the INRIX Traffic Scorecard Annual Report ranked Austin the 29th most congested city in the U.S., with approximately 19 hours a year lost to congestion.
According to the Department of Transportation Query Builder (2020):
- 12,974 crashes in Austin
- 31,295 persons involved in crashes
- 1,185 crashes involving driving under the influence of alcohol
- 3,479 crashes involving distracted driving
- 5,249 intersection-related crashes
Common Causes of Car Crashes
There are many different causes of car crashes. But some common factors emerge as the leading causes of Texas accidents. Not surprisingly, many of the top causes of auto accidents involve reckless or negligent behavior like aggressive or impaired driving.
Remember—if someone else’s negligence or recklessness caused your auto accident injury, you might be entitled to compensation.
In Texas, the top causes of car accidents were (2015):
- Speeding: 136,383 accidents
- Not paying attention (distracted driving): 94,876 accidents
- Unsafe lane changes: 36,238 accidents
- Merging when unsafe: 34,157 accidents
- Failure to yield when turning left: 30,741 accidents
According to AAA, Texas leads the country in wrong-way driving accidents. Driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the leading causes of wrong-way driving accidents in Texas. If you were injured in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, a personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights.
Austin Accident Injury Lawyer
Austin is a trendy town. As our population increases, so do the number of cars on the road. With such heavy traffic, even the safest driver can find themselves in an accident. Unfortunately, there were no deathless days on Texas roadways in 2020.
Texas Department of Transportation statistics for 2020 show:
- One person was killed every two hours and 15 minutes in a crash
- One person was injured every two minutes 34 seconds
- One reportable crash occurred every one minute 7 seconds
- There were 12,107 serious injury crashes
- 205.498 persons were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes
The same report noted that the fatality rate, number of vehicle miles traveled, and pedestrian fatalities all increased in 2020 despite the pandemic and lockdown.
25% of the total number of people killed in auto crashes in 2020 involved a driver under the influence of alcohol. More DUI alcohol crashes occurred in the hour of 2:00 am to 2:59 am than any other time, with Saturday having the highest number of these kinds of crashes. If you were injured in a drunk driving accident, call Dang Law today to discuss your case free of charge.
Austin Auto Accident Attorney
If you were hurt in a car crash, a personal injury lawyer can help. At Dang Law, we have years of experience with auto accident injury cases. We know that any car accident can have overwhelming consequences. You might be facing high medical bills, frustrating rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Dang Law can help you understand your rights after a crash. Personal injury is a complex area of law, but we help people injured in auto accidents every day. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, we will get to work building your case. We have experience standing up to big insurance companies, and we will fight to get you the compensation you need.
You can get in touch with one of our attorneys 24/7. Whether you were injured in a car accident, truck accident, or 18-wheeler accident, Dang Law can help. Hablamos Espanol!
Austin Texas Auto Accident FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Should I get an attorney for a minor car accident?
A minor accident can turn into a huge hassle before you know it. The other driver may also have legal representation. Your best chance for a fair outcome is to hire a board-certified personal injury lawyer to handle your case. As you recover from your injuries, a car crash attorney will get to work fighting for your rights.
How do I maximize my car accident settlement?
An Austin car crash lawyer will help you maximize your settlement by making sure you file your case promptly and effectively. They will investigate and build a solid case, seeking compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
What is the personal injury statute of limitations in Texas?
You have two years to file your claim in Texas. While this might sound like plenty of time, there are a lot of steps to be taken along the way. An Austin personal injury lawyer can help ensure that you meet all the necessary deadlines and requirements.
What is a personal injury lawsuit?
A personal injury lawsuit is a legal dispute where one person holds another person accountable for their injury. Common examples of personal injury accidents are car accidents, big truck accidents, workplace accidents, and medical malpractice. In a personal injury lawsuit, the injured party seeks damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Tagged Car Accident
5 Reasons to Hire DLG After an AccidentSteps to Take After a Car Accident