Which Houston Highways Have the Worst Accidents (2024)

Interstate 45 (I-45)

I-45 is a ribbon of highway connecting some of Texas’ major cities and ports for 285 miles. This road cuts through the middle of Houston and is a significant route for commuters traveling north to south. Additionally, it is a considerable freight corridor for goods entering the U.S. through the city and fanning out into the country. Finally, I-45 is a hurricane evacuation route out of Houston.

Extreme caution should be used when traveling I-45 North from Airtex Drive to SH 249 and SH 5 Spur North to Cavalcade St. For over a decade, TxDOT has focused on an I-45 expansion project that will continue to impact Houston drivers and create the potential for significant highway accidents due to construction congestion until 2042.

Interstate 10 (I-10)

Spanning through Houston, I-10 connects the east and west coasts, experiencing heavy use by regional travelers. A study by TxDOT noted that a majority of the 18-wheeler traffic traversing the stretch of I-10 in Houston were intrastate travelers, most likely moving goods to warehouses and distribution centers. Traffic forecasts for these primary freight corridors predict that vehicle demand will exceed its capacity by 2040, with some exceptions to this capacity level on I-10 East.

Tomball Parkway (State Hwy 249)

Ongoing growth and expansion north of Houston continue to stimulate the increase in traffic on Tomball Parkway, resulting in dangerous accidents along this Houston highway. Over the coming years, construction and expansion will continue to accommodate the growing congestion in the area.

Drivers should remain alert while traveling through the intersections of Hwy. 249 and Beltway 8, as well as Hwy 249 and FM 1960. Intersection accidents include freeway intersections, on and off-ramp intersections, and service street junctions.

Westheimer Road

Houston is prioritizing its efforts to improve safety on Westheimer Road, which has long been noted for unsafe conditions. Pedestrians struggle with safety issues at bus stops and intersections along this stretch of road, like the one at Westheimer and Sam Houston Parkway, and continue to prove challenging traffic obstacles in the city.

Houston Highway Accidents Compared to Other Major Cities in Texas

Yearly crash and injury statistics gathered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) demonstrate the dangers Houstonians face daily traveling throughout the city. Below are the number of annual accidents in the five largest cities in Texas by population.

• Houston: 67,386
• San Antonio: 39,355
• Dallas: 33,980
• Austin:12,786
• Fort Worth: 13,401

No other major city in Texas compares with the number of car accidents occurring in Houston annually.

Most Houston Accidents Happen in Neighborhood Intersections, Not Highways

According to a University of Houston study of Houston’s non-freeway intersections conducted by an associate professor of mechanical engineering, one-third of Harris County’s total accidents occurred in intersections throughout Houston neighborhoods. The five top intersections with the most accidents include:

1. Pease St. and Fannin St.
2. Bissonnet St. and Winchester Ave.
3. Main and Montrose: Mecom Fountain Roundabout
4. FM 1960 and W. Lake Houston Parkway
5. Gessner Rd. and Westpark Dr.

Another significant fact relayed in this study is that many of the intersections posed a substantial threat to Houston pedestrians accessing local grocery stores, schools, and malls.

Occupants Suffer the Most Deaths and Injuries

Houston highway accidents significantly affect some of the city’s most vulnerable commuters. Vehicle occupants suffer the most deaths and injuries from these auto accidents, but other commuters are at equal risk in these dangerous areas.

The City of Houston’s annual report noted that bicyclists, as well as vehicle occupants, saw a slight decrease in accidents and injuries. Pedestrian and motorcycle accidents continued to climb, specifically:

• Pedestrian Deaths: 115
• Pedestrian Serious Injuries: 245
• Motorcyclist Deaths: 37
• Motorcyclist Serious Injuries: 165

The city of Houston experienced 323 fatal crashes over a year. The total number of serious injuries equaled 1,592. The city averaged almost one death and close to five serious injuries each day.

Houston High Injury Network (HIN)

City management has also located points within the area identified as high-injury network corridors. These areas pose a particular threat of Houston highway accidents to pedestrians, bicyclists, and individuals who require the use of mobility aid devices:

• Martin Luther King Blvd. and Griggs Rd.
• Shepherd Dr. and Durham Dr.
• Fondren Rd.
• Airline Dr.
• Freeport St. and I-10

Top Causes of Houston’s Highway Accidents

Many of Texas’ highway accidents are preventable. Personal injuries in Houston are primarily due to the negligence of other drivers. Accidents in construction zones result from confusing lane changes, challenging signage, and congestion, with over 1,800 accidents occurring in work zones.

The top contributing factors of traffic-related severe injuries and death in Harris County include:

• Speed: 38,679 accidents resulted from speeding
• Impairment: 3,553 crashes involved alcohol
• Distracted driving: 11,496 accidents were caused by some distraction

Failure to yield the right of way, disregarding traffic signs and signals, and unsafe maneuvers were also top contributors to highway accidents in Houston.

Responsible Parties in Houston Highway Accidents

Proving negligence in a Houston highway accident often presents complex and challenging situations. A Houston personal injury attorney at The Mejia Law Firm will provide an extensive evaluation of your case to determine if the following entities may hold responsibility for the damages you experienced in a highway accident in Houston:

• Another driver
• A government agency, including city, county, or state facilities
• A trucking company
• Cargo company responsible for loading a truck’s freight
• Vehicle parts manufacturer

Your Houston car accident attorney must present strong proof of negligence by the other parties, or your claim could be dismissed or lost.

Staying Safe After a Crash on Houston Highways

Have a plan to stay safe if you are involved in a Houston highway accident. Many crashes occur in areas of high traffic, leading to other potential dangers. Take the following steps to protect against further damages:

• Assess yourself and others for injuries.
• If it is safe, move your vehicle out of the way of oncoming traffic.
• Call 911.
• Stay in a lighted area when possible.

At least one person has died per day on a Texas highway since November 7, 2000. As Houston continues to grow and its highways get busier, the chances of being severely injured in an accident on Houston highways increase significantly. The Mejia Law Firm believes in protecting the rights of injured car accident victims in Houston. Discuss your car accident and the legal options available today by scheduling a free evaluation.