What Types of Crashes Occur Most Often? What Are the Most Common Causes?
Texas love to drive. Consider this statistic—the average American puts about 13,500 miles on his or her vehicle every year. Drivers in the Lone Star State, though, average more than 16,000 miles a year, nearly 20% higher than the national average. Unfortunately, its’ a relatively straightforward equation…more miles on the road means more car, truck and motorcycle accidents. What are the most common types of wrecks in Texas? What are most often the causes of those crashes?
The Common Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Texas
According to data collected by state and federal officials, more motor vehicle accidents in Texas involve rear-end collisions, where a motorist collides with the vehicle in front of him. Officials cite many reasons for the high rate of rear-enders:
- A failure to stay a safe distance behind other vehicles, based on your rate of speed
- Distracted driving—taking your eyes off the road in front of you to adjust the stereo, look at a handheld device, talk to a passenger, eat or groom behind the wheel or focus on some roadside attraction
- Aggressive driving
- Mechanical issues, such as faulty brakes
Head-on collisions are also far too common in Texas, often involving a motorist making a left turn. Too often, a motorist will illegally turn left into the path of an oncoming vehicle or fail to yield to the right-of-way of another motorist with a green left-turn arrow. Head-on collisions may also be caused by distracted motorists who drift over the centerline.
Side-impact, or T-bone collisions typically happen when one motorist fails to stop or yield at an intersection, crashing into the door panel of a car crossing in front of him. T-bones are common in poor weather, where roads are slippery and motorists fail to use appropriate caution.
Sideswipe accidents typically involve vehicle traveling the same direction on the same road, where one motorist either makes an illegal lane change or fails to properly check sideview
While the vast majority of motor vehicle accidents in Texas involve at least two drivers, single vehicle wrecks are more common than you would think. Among the many causes of one-car crashes are:
- Potholes or defects in the roadway
- Falling objects or debris from another vehicle
- Animals in the road
- Weather conditions
- Excessive speed
- Unfamiliarity with the roadway
Contact the Experienced Car and Truck Accident Attorneys at Bailey & Galyen
At Bailey & Galyen, we bring more than four decades of experience to people who have been involved in any type of motor vehicle accident in Texas. We understand the common causes of car, truck and motorcycle crashes, and know how to build and present a compelling case for your full financial recovery. We are seasoned trial lawyers who understand the ways that defense attorneys will try to minimize your claim, and can take preemptive measures to protect your rights. Contact us by e-mail or 844-402-2992 call our offices at one of the convenient locations listed below. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
