Texas Auto Injury, Fatality Crashes Rise Again in 2014

Contrary to a nationwide trend, Texas automobile crashes resulting in injuries and fatalities have risen for the past three years, the Insurance Council of Texas reports.

Nationally, roadway crashes involving injuries and fatalities have been going down. Since 2011, however, injury crashes in Texas have increased by 12 percent, from 139,646 to 155,844.

The number of automobile accidents in Texas had been trending downward for years due to safer automobiles through the use of airbags, vehicle stability control and more crash-worthy cars. But in 2010 and 2011, the number of crashes bottomed out and began increasing.

Traffic fatalities in Texas fell to 2,781 in 2010, but have risen to 3,060 in 2014, representing a 10 percent increase.

“The rising number of both injury and fatal traffic accidents has also been reflected in an increase in auto insurance rates over this same time period,” said Mark Hanna, a spokesman for the Insurance Council of Texas. “The increasing costs of medical care and auto parts and labor continue to drive rates upward.”

Both and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) say alcohol, speed and not wearing seat belts all play a role in many of the vehicle collisions.

Source: Insurance Council of Texas