Texas has not had a single day without a fatal traffic accident since November 7, 2000. Texas often leads the nation in traffic deaths. These alarming statistics illustrate just how dangerous it can be to drive in the Lone Star state.
Given the dangers of driving on Texas roads, it’s common to wonder whether one mode of transportation is inherently safer than the other. Far more people are injured in crashes involving cars and pickups than motorcycles. That stands to reason. There are far more cars and trucks on the road. But motorcycle crashes are more likely to cause serious injuries.
If you have been injured in a crash caused by another motorist in Dallas, the attorneys at Kraft & Associates, P.C., are available to review your accident and help you understand your legal options for seeking compensation.
Car Accident Statistics in Texas
The following statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) demonstrate the frequency of car accidents in Texas and how often these accidents result in injuries or fatalities. A total of 769,968 crashes occurred in a recent year in Texas involving passenger vehicles. Roughly a third of those crashes involved injuries. The crash statistics include passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs:
- 408,057 crashes involving passenger cars
- 176,931 crashes involving pickup trucks
- 184,980 crashes involving SUVs.
A total of 236,000 Texas car crashes involved injuries. There were 16,110 car crashes that resulted in suspected serious injuries, 74,691 that resulted in non-incapacitating injuries, and 145,647 that resulted in possible injuries.
There were 1,895 fatal passenger car crashes, 1,319 fatal pickup truck crashes, and 1,084 fatal SUV crashes, for a total of 4,298 fatal Texas car crashes in one year. Out of all 769,968 Texas car crashes that occurred in one year, roughly 0.6 percent resulted in fatalities.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Texas
This data from TxDOT illustrates the frequency of Texas motorcycle crash injuries and fatalities in one year:
- There were 7,678 total motorcycle crashes in Texas in one year.
- Of the 7,678 Texas motorcycle crashes that year, roughly 81 percent resulted in reported injuries, and roughly six percent resulted in fatalities.
- There were 6,247 total Texas motorcycle crashes resulting in injuries, including 5,840 driver injuries and 407 passenger injuries.
- There were 1,856 Texas motorcycle crashes resulting in suspected serious injuries, including 1,726 driver injuries and 130 passenger injuries.
- There were 2,687 Texas motorcycle crashes resulting in non-incapacitating injuries, including 2,525 driver injuries and 162 passenger injuries.
- There were 1,704 Texas motorcycle crashes resulting in possible injuries, including 1,589 driver injuries and 115 passenger injuries.
- Of the motorcyclists who were injured in Texas motorcycle crashes, roughly 55 percent were wearing helmets.
- There were 482 fatal Texas motorcycle crashes that included 456 driver deaths and 26 passenger fatalities.
- Of the motorcyclists killed in Texas motorcycle crashes, roughly half were wearing helmets, and half were not.
What Are the Odds of Surviving a Car Accident?
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), there were more than 8 million registered automobiles in Texas as of 2020. Texas recorded 769,968 car crashes that year. That means that roughly one of every 10 registered cars in Texas is involved in an accident each year.
The odds of surviving a crash are much high in a passenger vehicle than on a motorcycle. Fewer than one in a hundred people involved in Texas car accidents suffered fatal injuries. By comparison, one of every 16 motorcyclists sustained fatal injuries in a crash in Texas.
What Are the Odds of Surviving a Motorcycle Accident?
FHWA statistics indicate there were 328,300 total registered motorcycles in Texas as of 2020. Since there were 7,678 total motorcycle crashes in Texas that year, that means that roughly 2.3 percent of all Texas-registered motorcycles were involved in accidents that year, a significantly lower percentage than that of automobiles.
How do the odds of surviving a Texas motorcycle accident compare to the odds of surviving a car crash? Given that there were 482 fatal motorcycle crashes in Texas in one year, we know that motorcyclists did not survive in roughly six percent of motorcycle accidents.
Which Is Safer?
Is it safer to drive in a car or ride a motorcycle in Texas? Based on our statistical analysis, individuals riding motorcycles are generally more likely to suffer serious or fatal injuries in crashes than individuals driving in cars.
In some ways, this is unsurprising, given the relative lack of seat belts, airbags, and other safety features provided by motorcycles. However, it’s important to note the numbers don’t always tell the whole story.
Motorcycle advocates argue that most motorcyclists have a healthy respect for the risks of motorcycle riding. They contend:
- Motorcyclists have better visibility than car and truck drivers do.
- Motorcycles are smaller and more maneuverable, so it’s easier for motorcyclists to avoid certain accidents.
- Motorcyclists are more exposed on the road, so they tend to be more attentive.
- Motorcyclists are less prone to certain distractions, such as chatting with passengers in the backseat, eating and driving, or texting and driving.
Some statistics actually support this theory. According to data from the National Safety Council, the average lifetime odds of dying in a motor vehicle crash are one in 107, while the lifetime odds of dying in a motorcycle crash are just one in 899.
If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident, statistics say you are much more likely to sustain serious or fatal injuries. However, your lifetime odds of dying in a car crash are much greater.
Talk to Experienced Lawyers Today
If you have been injured in a Texas car crash or motorcycle accident caused by another driver, the experienced attorneys of Kraft & Associates, P.C., can help you seek fair compensation and hold negligent parties accountable. We’ll fight for you no matter how complex your case is.
Call us today at (214) 999-9999 or contact us online to learn more about your legal options in a free initial consultation.
