The Surge of Fatal Car Accidents in Dallas

It’s truly unfortunate that just last year, around 228 people were killed in traffic accidents in Dallas. This marks a significant increase of 80% compared to the annual number of accident fatalities in the previous years. With more than 14 deaths recorded per 100,000 people, Dallas currently holds the second spot in the list of US cities with the highest traffic fatality rate.

While getting around Dallas in a motor vehicle carries some danger looking at these vehicle crash numbers, it’s fairly worse for pedestrians. Out of all the fatal traffic accidents in Dallas, about 36% include pedestrians. This is alarming as pedestrians only count for around 2% of travel within the city, the rest being taken up by cars, buses, and commercial vehicles.

Dallas Has Second-highest U.S. Traffic Fatality Rate

According to data presented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Dallas comes in second in the list of US cities with the highest traffic fatality rate in the country.

The national average rate of traffic fatalities per 100,000 people in the period 2015 to 2019 was 11.22. On the other hand, the rate of traffic fatalities per 100,000 people in Dallas was 14.11 for the same period.

In some ways, this is not too surprising as the majority of transportation in the city happens using motor vehicles. In fact, 88% of all transportation in Dallas occurs by car.

Because of the congested nature of the city, 60% of all severe crashes take place in only 8% of streets in Dallas.

Why Are Car Accidents in Dallas Increasing?

There are many reasons behind the increase in car accidents in Dallas. The main one being the large population growth the city and the state of Texas has been going through. According to the US Census Bureau, Texas experienced larger population growth than any other state in the period between 2018 to 2019. With this large and fast growth, cities in Texas are struggling to keep up, maintain, and expand motor vehicle roadways.

Moreover, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, the city of Dallas ranked fifth in the 25 cities with the most fatal traffic accidents in the US. Out of over 55,000 reported motor vehicle accidents in Dallas, 271 people were killed in 257 fatal crashes.

Additionally, Dallas also has a drunk driver issue. The accidents have been getting lower in the last few years thanks to the great efforts of the city’s Vision Zero program. In 2019, there were at least 43 fatal auto crashes in Dallas, this is compared to 54 fatal crashes the year before. Which means we’re seeing progress but there’s a lot to be done to completely eliminate fatal crashes.

Moreover, distracted driving has been on the rise as of late and is another main reason behind the surge in car accidents. According to injury attorney Aaron Herbert, It only takes a few seconds of distraction from attention on the road to cause a crash. That’s why it is every driver’s responsibility to avoid becoming distracted while behind the wheel.

What To Do After A Car Accident

Being involved in a car accident could be an overwhelming experience. In addition to injuries sustained in the accident, you need to worry about medical bills and car maintenance payments. An accident that causes injuries could seriously jeopardize your financial future. Reaching out to the insurance company might make things even more stressful when you disagree on the causes of the accident.

So, if you found yourself in a situation where you just got out of an accident, what do you do?

Well, the first thing you need to worry about is getting proper medical attention for yourself, your passengers (if any) and any other injured persons.

After getting necessary medical care, you need to document the car accident scene to the best of your abilities. Take pictures with your smartphone, write down notes, and speak to any bystanders that might’ve witnessed the accident and are willing to speak to the authorities.

Finally, try to reach an experienced car accident attorney. Having an attorney by your side since the early stage would help you defend your rights and get properly compensated for your damages.