DALLAS, TEXAS – November 10, 2025 – A groundbreaking research report released today by McKay Law PLLC reveals that East Texas experiences a traffic fatality rate 77% higher than the rest of the state, with preventable accidents claiming hundreds of lives annually and costing local communities billions of dollars in economic losses.
The 40-page white paper, titled ‘East Texas Traffic Safety Crisis: A Comprehensive Analysis of Rising Motor Vehicle Accidents and Legal Accountability,’ represents the most thorough analysis of motor vehicle accidents in the region to date. The report documents alarming trends across all categories of crashes—from 18-wheeler truck accidents to motorcycle collisions, pedestrian fatalities, and passenger vehicle crashes.
“The data paints a sobering picture of roadway danger in East Texas,” said Lindsey McKay, founding partner at McKay Law PLLC. “Every statistic in this report represents a real person—a mother, father, child, friend, or colleague—whose life was cut short or forever altered by a preventable accident. Our research makes clear that this is not simply a traffic problem; it’s a public health crisis that demands immediate action.”
Key Findings from the Research:
Statewide Context:
- Texas recorded 4,150 traffic fatalities in 2024—the highest in the nation
- One person dies every 2 hours and 7 minutes on Texas roads
- Zero deathless days in 2024; at least one fatality occurred every single day
- 251,977 people injured in motor vehicle crashes across the state
- Economic cost exceeds $56 billion annually
Commercial Truck Accidents:
- 39,393 commercial motor vehicle crashes in Texas during 2024
- 608 fatalities and 1,601 serious injuries from truck accidents
- Texas leads the nation in fatal truck crashes for over a decade
- 97% of deaths in truck accidents are occupants of passenger vehicles, not the truck
- East Texas counties experience disproportionately high truck accident rates due to oil and gas industry traffic
Motorcycle Safety:
- 585 motorcycle fatalities in 2024—a 7% increase from 2023
- Average of one motorcyclist death per day on Texas roads
- 37% of fatally injured riders were not wearing helmets
- Fatal intersection motorcycle crashes increased 21% year-over-year
Vulnerable Road Users:
- 768 pedestrians killed in 2024, accounting for 19% of all roadway deaths despite being involved in only 1% of crashes
- Houston recorded 119 pedestrian deaths—nearly one every three days
- Most pedestrian deaths occurred during daylight hours on everyday city streets
Geographic Disparities:
- Rural areas account for 50.12% of all traffic deaths (2,080 fatalities) despite lower population density
- University of Texas at Tyler research shows Northeast Texas fatality rate 77% higher than state average
- Major East Texas corridors including I-20, US 69, and Loop 323 experience frequent high-severity collisions
Legal Accountability and Record Verdicts
The white paper also documents how the civil justice system is holding negligent parties accountable through record-breaking settlements and verdicts, including:
- $730 million wrongful death verdict (Landstar Ranger, 2021)—one of largest in U.S. history
- $116 million verdict against Werner Enterprises (2018)
- $100 million verdict for family after ice storm truck crash left child dead, sister quadriplegic (2014)
- $37.5 million verdict for fatal Oncor truck accident (2024)—largest in Dallas that year
- $35 million settlement for Ben E. Keith 18-wheeler crash (2025)—largest in Texas
“These substantial verdicts reflect juries’ recognition that corporate negligence and profit-driven safety shortcuts will not be tolerated,” Lindsey McKay explained. “When trucking companies fail to train drivers, when drunk drivers take the wheel, when government entities neglect dangerous road conditions, there must be consequences. Legal accountability creates powerful financial incentives for safer practices.”
Root Causes and Contributing Factors
The McKay Law research identifies multiple contributing factors to East Texas’s elevated accident rates:
Infrastructure Challenges:
- Extensive rural highway network with limited lighting and delayed emergency response
- Growing population centers creating increased traffic volumes
- Heavy commercial trucking associated with oil and gas industry
- Inadequate infrastructure investment in rural corridors
Human Factors:
- Speeding (138,927 crashes in 2023)
- Distracted driving (89,529 crashes in 2023)
- Driving under the influence (1,053 alcohol-related fatalities in 2024)
- Failure to wear seat belts (45.34% of fatalities involved unrestrained occupants)
Commercial Vehicle Issues:
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Inadequate training and negligent hiring practices
- Poor vehicle maintenance and safety violations
- Pressure on drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules
Recommendations for Action
McKay Law’s white paper concludes with comprehensive recommendations for reducing traffic fatalities:
Infrastructure and Policy:
- Increased investment in rural East Texas highway safety improvements
- Enhanced intersection safety measures and improved lighting
- Stricter enforcement of commercial vehicle safety regulations
- Expansion of DUI enforcement and sobriety checkpoints
- Motorcycle and pedestrian safety awareness campaigns
Industry Practices:
- Mandatory comprehensive driver training programs
- Regular vehicle maintenance and inspection protocols
- Technology adoption (collision avoidance systems, electronic logging devices)
- Corporate culture prioritizing safety over profit margins
Individual Responsibility:
- Eliminating distracted driving
- Consistent seat belt and helmet usage
- Defensive driving practices
- Zero-tolerance approach to impaired driving
About the Research
The white paper synthesizes data from authoritative sources including the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), University of Texas at Tyler research, and Texas civil court records. The complete report is available for download at McKayLawtx.com.
About McKay Law PLLC
McKay Law PLLC is a Texas personal injury law firm with offices in Dallas, Tyler, and Sulphur Springs, specializing in complex motor vehicle accident cases including 18-wheeler truck accidents, wrongful death claims, commercial vehicle collisions, and dram shop liability matters. With over 60 years of combined litigation experience and more than 340 Google reviews, the firm is committed to aggressive advocacy for accident victims throughout East Texas.
The firm operates on a contingency fee basis, ensuring all accident victims have access to experienced legal representation regardless of financial circumstances.
For more information about McKay Law PLLC or to request a copy of the complete white paper, visit McKayLawtx.com or contact the firm’s offices in Dallas (3100 McKinnon St. Suite 1100), Tyler, or Sulphur Springs.
Media Availability
Lindsey McKay and other attorneys from McKay Law PLLC are available for interviews to discuss the research findings, legal implications, and recommendations for improving road safety in East Texas. To schedule an interview, please contact Harold@Mckaylawtx.com , 903-INJURED.
Download the Complete White Paper: McKayLawtx.com/traffic-safety-research
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