Jason Stephens | December 12, 2023 | Car Accidents
The City of Fort Worth, Texas, keeps extensive car accident data. According to that information, roughly 12,000 car accidents occurred in 2020, and that number has been consistently rising at a rate of roughly 5% per year. Fatalities are on the rise as well.
Those statistics may seem concerning, but they don’t guarantee that you will get into an accident. Some crashes are more common than others, and you can take measures to avoid getting into an accident altogether.
With that being said, how likely is it to be in a car accident? The following information regarding the risk of getting in a car accident in Fort Worth will help keep you and your loved ones safe.
What Are My Chances of Being in a Car Accident?
On average, any individual will get into an accident approximately once every 18 years. That risk may not seem so high at first – but given that most people in the Fort Worth area start driving around their 16th birthday, that means they are likely to get in three to four accidents during their lifetime.
Thankfully, the majority of those accidents aren’t necessarily serious — most are fender benders that are barely worth the time it takes to file an insurance claim — and your chances of getting into car accidents also vary depending on the state you are in.
Texas, unfortunately, isn’t a great state in terms of avoiding accidents, particularly fatal ones. For every 100,000 people in the state, approximately 15.2 are victims of fatal accidents, a statistic that places Texas just below the top 10 of all states in that particular category.
Fort Worth Statistics
The roads in Fort Worth are some of the most congested in the state; though that doesn’t necessarily make accidents more common, it does make them harder to avoid when other circumstances contribute to a crash, such as the following:
Drunk Driving
Alcohol is involved in more driving fatalities in Texas than in any other state. This is particularly true in Fort Worth, where drunk driving is unfortunately quite common. Avoiding drunk driving accidents in the area primarily means avoiding driving at night, given that most people drive drunk after a night out, long after the sun is down.
Rear-End Collisions
One of the biggest factors that increases the chance of getting in car accidents in Fort Worth is the portion of Interstate 35W that runs through the city, which typically sees a slew of construction projects throughout the year and is usually packed during rush hour, resulting in a high number of rear-end collisions.
To avoid these accidents, take alternate routes whenever possible, especially during rush hour. It will likely cost you time, but it should greatly decrease your odds of getting into an accident.
Distracted Driving
As previously noted, the roads are exceptionally congested in the Fort Worth area, which means that if someone is swerving in their lane, you don’t have a lot of room or time to maneuver to avoid getting into an accident.
These circumstances come up most often with distracted drivers. Be particularly wary of distracted drivers when driving on Hulen Street or other roads near Hulen Mall. Drivers in the area often get distracted trying to find their destination and may easily lose track of other vehicles on the road.
Pay Attention and Wear a Seatbelt
There is little you can do about the crowded roads of Fort Worth other than avoid them outright, but you can’t stay home all the time. Eventually, you’ll need to drive on the city’s streets.
Thankfully, you now have this guide to use to avoid the most dangerous roads in the area. And as always, you know what common car driving etiquette entails: Wear your seat belt and always pay attention to what is happening around you. You may not be able to prevent others from getting into mishaps, but you can lower your own probability of car accidents while on the road.
CONTACT OUR CAR ACCIDENT LAW FIRM IN FORT WORTH, TX
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth and need legal help, contact our Fort Worth car accident lawyers at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation.
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 300
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000