Each time you get behind the wheel, you face the risk of being in a car accident. While driving safely can protect you to some extent, the unfortunate truth is that even the world’s safest driver can still be seriously injured or even killed by someone driving recklessly.
Some cities pose more of a risk to drivers than others. A recent study released by U.S. News & World Report found that Houston ranks among America’s most dangerous cities for drivers. Here’s a closer look at some of the risks Houston drivers face and what to do if you’re involved in a crash.
If you have been injured in a car accident you didn’t cause, you shouldn’t have to handle the mountains of medical bills, inability to work, and intense physical pain alone. Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
How Dangerous Is It to Drive in Houston?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Houston, you’re not alone. The U.S. News & World Report study looked at the 50 largest cities in the United States. To get an idea of which cities were the most and least dangerous, the study looked at the following data points for each:
- Annual fatal car accidents per capita
- Number of people involved in fatal crashes per capita
- Average fatality rate per mile traveled
- Number of DWI/DUI arrests per capita
- Rate of car thefts.
The results? Houston was the 22nd most dangerous city on the list. A Texas-specific analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data revealed that Houston is the 13th most dangerous Texas city. In 2022, Houston had an estimated 1.3 traffic fatalities per 10,000 residents. There were 305 fatal accidents causing 323 total fatalities.
Statistically speaking, the most dangerous roads in Houston aren’t the highways. Local city streets pose more of a hazard — 153 of the reported fatal accidents happened on local streets.
Are Houston roads getting safer over time? Texas Department of Transportation statistics indicate that over the past decade or so, the number of total crashes, fatal crashes, and crashes suspected of causing serious injuries have been on the rise:
- 2023: 67,644 total crashes — 274 fatal, 1,360 involving suspected serious injury
- 2022: 67,486 total crashes — 301 fatal, 1,334 involving suspected serious injury
- 2021: 67,058 total crashes — 311 fatal, 1,396 involving suspected serious injury
- 2020: 58,276 total crashes — 260 fatal, 1,198 involving suspected serious injury
- 2019: 68,880 total crashes — 241 fatal, 1,209 involving suspected serious injury
- 2018: 64,966 total crashes — 189 fatal, 1,045 involving suspected serious injury
- 2017: 65,305 total crashes — 229 fatal, 1,079 involving suspected serious injury
- 2016: 67,474 total crashes — 238 fatal, 1,129 involving suspected serious injury
- 2015: 66,968 total crashes — 193 fatal, 1,109 involving suspected serious injury
- 2014: 60,491 total crashes — 213 fatal, 1,025 involving suspected serious injury
- 2013: 53,241 total crashes — 181 fatal, 910 involving suspected serious injury.
Cars seem to be designed with more safety features each year. Speeding and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol — two major contributors to accidents — are nothing new. So why are car accidents on the rise? Many experts point to distracted driving as a culprit. Mobile phone use is a particularly common cause of distracted driving. Texting, adjusting a GPS, or simply looking down at a phone while receiving a notification can all take your eyes off the road, and even a second’s distraction can be enough to cause an accident.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Houston, call Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law at (713) 973-8888 for a free and confidential consultation.
The Importance of an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
The Right Representation Makes All the Difference
If you have the misfortune of being involved in a car accident, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to get in touch with a car accident lawyer. Some people believe that anyone seeking compensation after an accident is just trying to use the situation as a way to get money. However, car accident lawsuits aren’t about seeing how much money you can get — they’re about ensuring you have the resources you need to heal. With the help of an experienced lawyer, you may be able to receive compensation for losses like these:
Medical Expenses
If you’ve been severely injured in a car accident, you may have already discovered just how expensive medical care can be. Even if you have health insurance, you may find yourself dealing with thousands of dollars in medical bills.
Lost Wages
If you have a severe injury, you almost certainly will be unable to work for a period of time. Being without an income can plunge you into financial uncertainty. Compensation for a car accident can replace your lost income so you can focus on healing without worrying about everyday expenses.
Loss of Earning Potential
With some types of injuries — like severe brain injuries and spinal injuries — it’s impossible to completely recover. If you are left permanently unable to work or you must take a lower-paying job because of injuries you suffered in your accident, you may be able to receive compensation to make up for wages you could have earned.
Pain and Suffering
In many cases, you can recover non-economic damages in car accident lawsuits. Non-economic damages compensate you for losses you can’t quantify, including emotional distress, physical pain, and loss of quality of life. The greater the impact of your injuries on your daily life (and on your future), the greater your compensation for pain and suffering is likely to be. For instance, your total pain and suffering compensation would likely be greater if you needed to have a leg amputation than if your leg broke but eventually healed completely.
Why Choose Us?
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we understand that if you’re looking for legal representation after a car accident, you have plenty of options. We work hard every day to set ourselves apart from the competition, and if we take your case, we’re 100% committed to getting you the results you deserve. Here are some of the key reasons to consider us:
- We’ve been in the business of helping injured Texans since 1985.
- Founder Terry Bryant is board certified in personal injury trial law.
- Mr. Bryant is also a former Texas judge.
- We have recovered more than $1 billion and counting for our clients.
- We have a no-fee guarantee, meaning you pay nothing until we recover compensation for you.
- Our client reviews are 98% positive.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, we invite you to book a free consultation with us.
FAQ
Many of our clients haven’t had to deal with the legal system before contacting us, so understandably, they have questions. These are some of the most common questions new clients ask us:
How dangerous is Houston for drivers?
Recent research indicates that of the 50 largest American cities, Houston is the 22nd most dangerous for drivers. Other data suggests that it is the 13th most dangerous Texas city for drivers.
Should I talk to a car accident lawyer after an accident?
If you have been seriously hurt in an accident you didn’t cause, it’s a good idea to talk to an attorney. A car accident lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation to cover medical bills and support you as you heal.
How much compensation can I get after a car accident in Houston?
Many different factors influence the value of your case, so the only way to know how much compensation you may be able to receive is to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer.
Is it expensive to hire a car accident lawyer?
No. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we work on a contingency basis. This means that you pay nothing up front. Instead, if we take your case, you agree to pay us a certain percentage of any compensation we recover for you. In the unlikely event that you do not have a successful recovery, you pay us nothing.
We understand that if you have been hurt in a car accident, you probably have more questions. Don’t hesitate to contact us for answers.
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident?
We’re Ready to Help You Secure a Brighter Future
If you’ve been badly injured in a car accident, the most important step to take is to get medical care as soon as you can. After that, the next critical step is to seek the help of an experienced car accident attorney in Houston. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, our team is dedicated to helping you get the compensation you need to heal from your injuries and get your life back.
If you have suffered a serious injury in a car accident, you need a knowledgeable and committed legal advocate. Call Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]