Houston, Texas, is a sprawling metropolis known for its busy highways, high-speed interstates, and bustling local roads. With millions of vehicles commuting daily, it’s no surprise that car accidents are frequent across the city. Understanding the most common causes of crashes and establishing legal fault are critical for any Houston driver involved in a collision.
Distracted driving is consistently ranked as the top cause of accidents across the state of Texas, and Houston is no exception. Distractions range from texting and talking on the phone to eating, adjusting the GPS, or interacting with passengers. In 2023, the Texas Department of Transportation reported that nearly 1 in 5 crashes involved distracted driving.
Distracted drivers often veer out of their lanes, fail to stop quickly, or miss changing traffic signals, leading to rear-end and T-bone collisions. Attorneys investigating these accidents may request cellphone records, analyze vehicle telemetry, and use surveillance footage to prove the at-fault driver was not paying attention.
Speeding—especially on I-10, I-45, and Loop 610—is a major contributor to fatal car accidents in Houston. Drivers traveling above the posted limit or too fast for conditions reduce their reaction time and dramatically increase crash severity. Speeding often correlates with aggressive driving behavior such as tailgating, weaving through traffic, or brake-checking other drivers.
Proving speeding requires evidence such as police citations, dashcam footage, or black box data from the vehicles involved. Skid marks and the severity of damage can also help reconstruct the crash scene.
Houston sees hundreds of DUI-related crashes every year. Alcohol and drug impairment slow reaction time, cloud judgment, and reduce motor skills, all of which increase the risk of a serious accident. Drunk driving accidents are most common late at night and during weekends or holidays.
Police reports, breathalyzer or blood test results, and prior convictions help attorneys establish negligence. In DUI-related injury cases, victims may also pursue punitive damages due to the driver’s reckless behavior.
Intersection collisions are hazardous and often the result of drivers running red lights or stop signs. These incidents frequently lead to side-impact or T-bone crashes, which can cause severe injuries to passengers, especially when vehicles are struck at high speeds.
Surveillance footage from traffic cameras or nearby businesses, along with witness statements and police reports, is often used to prove fault in intersection accidents.
Driver fatigue, especially among commercial vehicle operators and rideshare drivers, is growing in Houston. Exhausted drivers may experience microsleeps or delayed reaction times, increasing the likelihood of rear-end or head-on collisions.
Fatigue-related accidents are more complex to prove, but attorneys may examine logbooks (in commercial cases), time-stamped rideshare records, or employer documentation to demonstrate negligence.
Improper lane changes and unsafe merging—especially on congested freeways and feeder roads—are common in Houston. Many accidents occur when drivers fail to signal or check blind spots before moving across lanes. These crashes often involve sideswipes, rollovers, or vehicles pushed into medians.
Determining fault in these scenarios relies on witness statements, dashcam footage, or accident reconstruction.
Houston’s heavy rains and flooding can lead to hydroplaning and decreased visibility, which can cause numerous accidents. Inadequate signage, construction zones, potholes, and poorly marked lanes also contribute to crashes, particularly in areas undergoing frequent repairs.
In some cases, third parties such as road maintenance contractors or city entities may share liability for accidents caused by unsafe infrastructure. An experienced attorney will explore all possible avenues of compensation.
Mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts, can lead to sudden and unavoidable accidents. If the vehicle defect is due to poor maintenance or a manufacturing error, a product liability claim may be filed in addition to the standard personal injury case.
Attorneys often partner with forensic mechanics to examine vehicle systems and determine whether defects contributed to the crash.
In Texas, the at-fault driver is legally responsible for paying damages. But proving fault requires more than just pointing fingers. Your Houston car accident attorney must show that the other driver was negligent and that their actions directly caused your injuries.
Evidence often used includes:
Police crash reports
Photographs from the scene
Medical records linking injuries to the accident
Witness statements
Expert opinions from accident reconstructionists
Traffic camera or surveillance footage
Vehicle damage and debris patterns
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you are partially responsible for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $80,000. You cannot recover compensation if you are more than 50% at fault.
This makes proper legal representation essential. Your attorney will work to minimize your share of liability and maximize the damages you receive.
Proving fault becomes more complicated in multi-vehicle accidents, pileups, or crashes involving rideshare drivers or commercial vehicles. These cases often involve multiple insurance companies, conflicting reports, and higher stakes. An experienced Houston car accident attorney understands the nuances of these claims and knows how to identify all liable parties.
Time is a critical factor. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that evidence will disappear, and witnesses will forget important details. Contact a local attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Houston roads can be dangerous, but when you know the most common causes of car accidents and how to prove fault, you're better equipped to protect yourself, legally and financially. Whether your accident was caused by a distracted driver, unsafe lane change, or impaired motorist, the right legal team can gather evidence, assign fault accurately, and secure the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Houston car accident, don’t face the legal process alone. Call a trusted attorney to review your case and begin building a strong claim.
