Common Injuries in Houston Auto Accidents

Auto accidents are about the most frightening experience that an average person will ever go through. They are scary, disorienting, and can cause damage and injuries that affect the rest of your life. In Houston, auto accidents are an unfortunately common occurrence, and those affected may face financial troubles as a direct result of medical bills or lost wages. 

What follows is an introduction to Houston auto accident cases and how these incidents can injure the human body. We’ll also discuss how an experienced auto accident attorney at DeHoyos Accident Attorneys can assist you in recovering the financial damages that these injuries cause. 

If you have been injured in an auto accident in Houston, call the attorneys with a proven track record of successful personal injury cases. Call DeHoyos Accident Attorneys today. 

Texas Auto Accident Statistics 

The Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Facts sheet for 2022 provides detailed statistics about traffic accidents in Texas during the year. Here are some key points from the report:

• The fatality rate on Texas roadways was 1.5 deaths per hundred million vehicle miles traveled in 2022. 
• A total of 4,481 deaths were recorded in Texas in 2022, which is slightly down from the 4,497 deaths in 2021.
• There were about 15,300 serious injury crashes, with over 18,000 people sustaining severe injuries.
• Vehicle miles traveled in Texas reached nearly 300 billion, which is more miles than Texans drove the previous year.

Types of Crashes:

• Rural traffic crashes accounted for 51% of accidents in our state, totaling 2,304 deaths.
• Single-vehicle run-off-the-road crashes resulted in 1,471 deaths, 32% of all traffic deaths in Texas. 
• There were 1,030 fatalities in intersection crashes and 636 in head-on collisions.
• Two crashes resulted in six or more fatalities, indicating they involved multiple passengers or multiple vehicles. 
• There were no deathless days on Texas roadways. Each day of the year, multiple Texans lost their lives. 

Averages and Trends:

• The deadliest day was July 22nd, when 31 lives were lost on the road. September, with its suddenly short daylight hours, was the deadliest month in 2022 with 427 deaths.
• On average, one person was killed every 2 hours, one was injured every 2 minutes, and one reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds.
• 48% of those killed in vehicles that had seatbelts, were not wearing the seatbelt at the time of the fatal crash.
• Nearly 245,000 persons were injured in motor vehicle crashes.
• There were 562 motorcycle fatalities, and 39% were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
• Pedestrian fatalities totaled 828, which is another increase from 2021.
• Bicycle fatalities totaled 91, also an increase from 2021.

Causes of Crashes:

• 1,163 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver, which represents 26% of all traffic deaths.
• The majority of DUI-alcohol crashes occurred between 2am and 3am, particularly on Saturdays.
• There were 484 deaths in crashes involving distracted driving, which is when a driver pays attention to something else, like a cell phone, instead of the road. 

Common Auto Accident Injuries 

Auto accidents can result in a variety of injuries that range from minor to severe. Treatment for these injuries could also go from an ice pack and a good night’s rest, to life-long physical therapy sessions and wheelchair modifications on your house. 

Here are some common injuries Houston drivers are likely to face after an auto accident:

1. Whiplash: This is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movements of the neck. It gets its name because the movement your neck goes through is like the cracking of a whip. It’s most commonly associated with rear-end collisions, and symptoms can include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.
2. Concussions: Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a violent shaking of the skull. Symptoms can include headaches, confusion, dizziness, and memory loss. Concussions are always serious injuries, and they require immediate medical attention. A concussion left untreated could have life-long consequences. 
3. Broken Bones: Fractures can occur in any bone and are common in the arms, legs, ribs, and hips in car accidents. Bodies are often flipped around like clothes in a dryer, and broken bones are just one of the common results. Severity can range from simple fractures that may heal with care, to complex ones that require surgery.
4. Internal Bleeding: one of the most life-threatening conditions that occurs during an accident is when an internal organ is damaged and bleeds into the body. What’s worse, the bleeding might not be immediately noticeable, and it can manifest hours or days after the accident. 
5. Spinal Cord Injuries: Arguably the most frightening injuries, damaged spinal cords can lead to partial or complete paralysis. Depending on the extent of the injury, and where on the spine it occurred, victims may become paraplegic (unable to move their legs), or quadriplegic (unable to move their entire body). Spinal cord injuries have long-term implications, and victims may need ongoing or permanent care.
6. Cuts and Lacerations: When picturing an auto accident and its impact on the human body, it’s important to remember all the items traveling in the car with you. Briefcases, phones, and any other items in the car instantly become flying projectiles. The windows and other glass structures crumble and become hundreds of tumbling knives looking for soft flesh to cut. Some of these cuts may be superficial, but others can go deep and require stitches.
7. Soft Tissue Injuries: Perhaps the most common injuries sustained in a car accident are soft tissue injuries. These injuries manifest as soreness, muscle pain, or ligament sprains in the back or neck. Hopefully, they heal on their own, but the effects can be felt for months without proper treatment. These types of injuries don’t just cause pain; they can reduce mobility, and make everyday activities an unbearable chore. 

Each of these injuries can vary significantly in severity and may require different types of medical attention. Recovery times can also vary and are dependent upon the nature and location of the injury.

Experienced Legal Guidance for Texas Accident Victims 

At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, we understand the different types of car accidents and the injuries they can cause. We also understand how difficult it is to deal with these injuries while attempting to pursue justice. If you or someone you know was injured in an auto accident, call our Houston office for compassionate advice. Call today at (832) 745-4878, and let us put you back on the road to recovery. 

If you’ve been in a hit-and-run accident in Texas, the right legal support can make all the difference. At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, we make sure our clients are cared for, and their rights are protected. Call our Houston office today for a free consultation at (832) 745-4878.