The leading causes of car accidents are speeding and driving under the influence.

If you want to learn more about car accidents, taking a look at their common causes is a good place to start. This can provide you with insight regarding the various factors that contribute to these collisions and can even help you understand what you can do to avoid being in an accident in the first place. In our experience, we have found that looking at past occurrences can help provide a clear picture of trends and what may happen in the future in the realm of auto accidents.

Leading Causes of Texas Auto Accidents

According to statewide traffic accident statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation (TDOT), the following are the 12 leading causes of Texas auto accidents in order of most common to least common:

• Failure to control speed: 108,466 collisions
• Driver inattention: 82,833 collisions
• Failure to drive in single lane: 27,073 collisions
• Failure to yield while turning left: 25,981 collisions
• Unsafe lane change: 23,572 collisions
• Following too closely: 23,333 collisions
• Improper evasive action: 22,151 collisions
• Failure to yield at stop sign: 22,144 collisions
• Speeding, under limit: 21,006 collisions
• Disregard of stop sign or light: 16,800 collisions
• Failure to yield in private drive: 15,230 collisions
• Driving under the influence of alcohol: 15,113 collisions

TDOT reports that this data "represents the number of crashes that had at last one driver reported as having the indicated contributing factor." In some collisions, no or multiple contributing factors were indicated, meaning that the number of collisions by contributing factor may not add up to the number of traffic accidents as a whole.

There are many other potential causes of car accidents in addition to the top causes listed above. Some stem from driver negligence, while others may be outside of a driver's control. Additional causes listed in the report include:

• Animal on road
• Cell phone use
• Defective or no headlights, brake lights, tail lights or turn signals
• Defective steering mechanism, tires or trailer hitch
• Disabled in traffic lane
• Disregard of construction warning signs
• Disregard of stop and go signal
• Disregard of turn marks at intersection
• Distraction in vehicle
• Drinking and driving
• Driving on the wrong side of the road
• Driving the wrong way on a one-way road
• Driving under the influence of drugs
• Driving without headlights
• Failure to signal
• Failure to yield to emergency vehicle
• Failure to yield to pedestrian
• Fatigued or asleep driver
• Fleeing or evading police
• Handicapped driver
• Ill driver
• Impaired visibility
• Improper passing
• Improper turn
• Load not secured
• Parked in traffic lane
• Road rage
• Speeding over the limit
• Taking medication
• Unsafe backing/reversing
• Unsafe passing
• Vehicle fire

Looking at the above numbers, one can see that speeding and driving while distracted are by far the two most common contributing factors to car accidents in Texas. Speeding limits maneuverability, reduces that amount of time a driver has to react to an emergency situation or change in traffic, and increases the severity of a collision by creating a greater force of impact. Driving while distracted increases the chances of an accident because a driver's attention will not be fully on the task at hand. One study found that texting while driving increases the chances of a crash by 23 times because it involves cognitive, visual, and manual distraction; in other words, taking the mind, eyes, and hands away from the primary task of driving.

Determining the Cause of Your Collision

If you were injured in a traffic accident and wish to hold the at-fault driver or another party responsible for his or her conduct, it will be necessary to determine what caused your collision. This is where a Houston car accident lawyer can make all the difference. At The Daspit Law Firm, we have the resources to investigate serious traffic accidents and determine their cause. Our attorneys work with investigators and professionals in accident reconstruction to see what contributing factors may have led to the collision and therefore what party (or parties) can be held liable.

Why Choose The Daspit Law Firm for Your Car Accident Claim?

Decades of combined experience

No fees unless we win your case

Weekend & evening appointments available

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To learn more, contact our offices for a free consultation.

About the Author

Attorney John Daspit is the founder of Daspit Law Firm. He has years of experience representing one of the largest companies, handling some of the largest cases. It is his personal goal to fight for families and individuals who have suffered from another person's negligence.