Car Accidents in Dallas, TX

Dallas is one of the fastest-growing and most heavily trafficked cities in the country — and with that growth comes a surge in car accidents. With major arteries like I-35E, I-30, I-20, U.S. Highway 75, and I-45 running through the city, Dallas drivers face daily congestion, high-speed interchanges, and unpredictable traffic patterns. Areas like North Central Expressway, Woodall Rodgers Freeway, and Stemmons Corridor are notorious for multi-car pileups, rear-end collisions, and T-bone crashes due to tight merges and heavy volume.

Every year, thousands of Dallas residents are involved in car wrecks that leave them dealing with medical bills, lost income, and aggressive insurance adjusters. But many of these cases are more complicated than they seem. Crashes involving rideshare vehicles, multiple cars, or commercial trucks can make it difficult to determine liability. Who’s at fault when three vehicles are involved? What happens when one driver is uninsured? What if road design or poor signage contributed to the crash?

These are the questions that make legal representation not just helpful — but essential. At Cesar Ornelas Injury Law, we understand the unique challenges of navigating car accident claims in Dallas. With local insight and the horsepower of a nationwide legal team, we’re here to fight for you, whether your crash happened on the Dallas North Tollway, a crowded intersection in Deep Ellum, or anywhere across the Metroplex.

Dallas Car Accident Statistics

Dallas consistently ranks among the top cities in Texas for motor vehicle accidents. According to the Texas Department of Transportation's 2023 crash data, the city experienced a total of 35,355 crashes, marking an increase from 34,872 crashes in 2022.  

Fatalities and Serious Injuries

In 2023, Dallas reported:

• Fatal Crashes: 203 incidents resulting in 219 fatalities, a slight increase from 198 fatal crashes and 214 fatalities in 2022. Texas Department of Transportation

• Suspected Serious Injury Crashes: 1,050 crashes leading to 1,200 suspected serious injuries, compared to 1,030 crashes and 1,180 injuries in 2022.

Types of Crashes

The breakdown of crash types in 2023 includes:

• Rear-End Collisions: Approximately 8,500 incidents, often occurring on congested highways like I-35E and US-75.

• Intersection-Related Crashes: Around 6,200 crashes, frequently at busy intersections such as those along Loop 12 and Northwest Highway.

• Single Vehicle Accidents: About 5,000 cases, including run-off-road and fixed-object collisions.

Contributing Factors

Key factors contributing to these accidents include:

• Distracted Driving: In 2023, distracted driving was a factor in nearly 20% of crashes statewide, leading to 373 deaths and 2,587 serious injuries. Texas Department of Transportation

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Dallas recorded 1,500 DUI-related crashes in 2023, resulting in 45 fatalities and 300 serious injuries.

• Speeding: Excessive speed contributed to approximately 7,000 crashes, emphasizing the need for speed management on urban roads.

Commercial Vehicle Involvement

Commercial motor vehicles were involved in 2,500 crashes in Dallas during 2023, including 30 fatal incidents and 150 serious injury crashes.  

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Dallas

Several factors contribute to the high rate of car accidents in Dallas:  

• Distracted Driving – One of the leading causes of crashes in Dallas, especially on high-speed corridors like I-35E and Loop 12. This includes texting, GPS use, eating, or reaching for items while driving. Despite statewide texting bans, distracted driving contributed to over 20,000 crashes in Texas in 2023. These cases are often hard to prove unless phone records or surveillance footage is obtained quickly.

• Speeding – Frequently seen on roads like the Dallas North Tollway, US-75, and I-30, where drivers exceed limits to beat traffic. Speeding increases the force of impact and shortens reaction time. While police conduct speed patrols, proving speeding in court can be difficult without black box data or radar evidence.

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) – A major issue in entertainment districts like Deep Ellum and Lower Greenville. In 2023, Dallas recorded over 1,500 DUI-related crashes resulting in 45 deaths. Even without criminal charges, civil claims require documented impairment, such as toxicology results or witness testimony, which must be preserved early.

• Failure to Yield – A common factor in intersection crashes, especially near Mockingbird Lane, Fair Park, and highway entrance ramps. Drivers may misjudge gaps or ignore signs. While the city has upgraded signals in some areas, unclear signage and road design continue to contribute to collisions. Proving fault is challenging without video evidence or multiple witness accounts.

• Commercial Vehicle Negligence – With thousands of semis and delivery trucks passing through I-635 and industrial corridors daily, accidents involving commercial drivers are rising. These cases are complex due to federal regulations, logbook audits, and layers of corporate liability. Gathering the right evidence—driver hours, maintenance records, inspection reports—is critical and time-sensitive

‍High-Risk Areas and Traffic Patterns

Certain areas in Dallas are more prone to accidents due to traffic volume and road design:

• Interstate 345 (I-345) – This 2.3-mile connector between U.S. 75 (Central Expressway) and I-45 is one of the most congested stretches in Texas, with over 480,000 hours of traffic delay recorded in 2024. It connects Downtown Dallas with southern regions, making it a daily bottleneck for both commuters and commercial vehicles.
  Source: Dallas Morning News

• U.S. Highway 75 (Central Expressway) – Runs north-south from Downtown Dallas to Plano, Allen, and McKinney. Frequent ramps, dense exits, and high commuter volumes make it prone to rear-end and lane-change crashes.
  Source: Reddit Dallas Discussion

• Interstate 45 (I-45) – Stretching from Dallas to Houston, this highway is a major freight and travel corridor. It's considered one of the most dangerous roads in America due to high speeds, commercial traffic, and frequent fatalities.
  

• Dallas North Tollway – A high-speed route connecting Downtown to Addison, Plano, and Frisco. It experiences heavy use by both commercial and passenger vehicles, making it a top location for side-swipes and merging accidents.

Traffic Patterns and Trends in Dallas

• Vehicle Growth and Congestion – Dallas has seen a dramatic increase in registered vehicles over the last decade, driven by population growth and urban sprawl. More cars mean more gridlock — especially during construction or lane closures.

• Commercial Vehicle Increase – Dallas’s role as a logistics and distribution hub (especially near DFW Airport and inland ports) has added thousands of commercial vehicles to its roads. The city’s strong economic growth in industries like tech, manufacturing, and real estate has only accelerated this trend.
  Source: Dallas Economic Development

• Peak Rush Hours – Traffic spikes during 7–9 AM and 4–6 PM, aligning with school schedules, work commutes, and end-of-shift truck departures. During these windows, highways like I-635, I-35E, and US-75 regularly experience extended delays and higher accident rates.
  Source: DFW Taxi

How Cesar Ornelas Injury Law Can Help

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Dallas, you're probably overwhelmed with questions: Who’s going to pay these medical bills? What if I miss work? Is the insurance company offering me enough — or trying to take advantage of me? At Cesar Ornelas Injury Law, we’re here to answer all those questions and fight for everything you’re owed. We’re not just another law firm — we’re relentless advocates for real Texans who’ve been wronged, and we treat every case like it’s our own family on the line.

As one of the top-rated Texas personal injury law firms, we go above and beyond to guide you through every part of the recovery process. Whether you’re dealing with whiplash after a rear-end collision on US-75, serious injuries from a multi-car wreck on I-635, or were hit by a commercial truck near the Dallas North Tollway, we’ve got the experience, muscle, and local knowledge to help.

Here’s how we stand out — and how we’ll fight for you:

• Free and Thorough Case Evaluation
  Searching for a “car accident lawyer near me” isn’t enough, you need someone who will dig deep into the facts. We listen closely, gather the crash report, assess liability, identify all negligent parties, and explain your legal options clearly, all at no cost to you.

• Immediate Medical Coordination
  If you're injured and don’t know where to turn for help, we’ll connect you with trusted doctors, chiropractors, and specialists who know how to document auto accident injuries like concussions, spinal damage, or soft tissue trauma. Even if you don’t have insurance, we can help you get care without paying out of pocket.

• Aggressive Insurance Negotiation
  Dallas drivers know that insurance companies don’t play fair. They stall, lowball, and delay. We shut that down fast. Our team knows how to deal with adjusters, use medical records and crash data to back your claim, and push back hard when the first offer doesn’t come close to what you deserve.

• Bilingual Legal Support (English & Spanish)
  In a city as diverse as Dallas, we make sure every client gets legal support in their preferred language. We explain everything clearly — no legal jargon, just real talk — in English or Spanish, so you always understand where your case stands and what’s next.

• Personalized Communication, Every Step of the Way
  You’ll never be left in the dark wondering what’s going on with your case. We send updates, check in regularly, and provide honest recommendations. We’re your partner in this, not just your attorney.

• Courtroom-Ready Litigation
  If the insurance company refuses to do right by you, we won’t settle just to close the case. We build every file like it’s going to trial and we’re not afraid to take your case to court. Whether it’s against a reckless driver or a big trucking company, we’ll stand firm until justice is done.

• No Upfront Fees, Ever
  We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay a dime unless we win. We take on the risk so you can focus on healing and getting your life back.

Contact Us

If you've been involved in a car accident in Dallas, reach out to Cesar Ornelas Injury Law for dedicated legal assistance.

• Address: 5301 Alpha Rd, Suite 121, Dallas, TX 75240, United States

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We share our Dallas office with Abogados Internacionales, providing a hub for clients seeking both personal injury and immigration legal services.

Call Cesar—Your Advocate in Times of Need.

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