Every time you glance at your phone while driving, you’re essentially closing your eyes and speeding down the highway blindfolded. That’s not hyperbole—it’s science. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
As personal injury attorneys serving Houston and the greater Texas area, we see the devastating aftermath of texting while driving accidents every single day. The statistics we’re about to share aren’t just numbers—they represent families torn apart, dreams shattered, and lives forever changed by a preventable decision that took mere seconds to make.
The Shocking Reality: Texting While Driving by the Numbers
The latest data reveals a disturbing truth about America’s roads. NHTSA reports that 3,275 people died in distraction-affected crashes in 2023, with texting specifically contributing to hundreds of these preventable deaths.
Here’s what the research shows:
- 14% of all fatal car crashes involve distracted driving by use of a cellphone
- About 400 fatal crashes happen each year as a direct result of texting and driving
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that distracted driving, including texting, leads to approximately nine deaths and over 1,000 injuries in car accidents every day in the United States
But here’s the most alarming part: Texting while driving increases by 400% a driver’s time spent with their eyes off the road. When you realize that drivers who text while operating a vehicle are 23 times more likely to become involved in a car accident, the gravity of this epidemic becomes crystal clear.
Texas: Ground Zero for Distracted Driving Tragedies
Texas drivers face a particularly dangerous landscape. In 2024, nearly one in five crashes on Texas roads were caused by a distracted driver in which 373 people died and 2,587 were seriously injured.
The Texas Department of Transportation reports that 109,658 traffic crashes in Texas involved distracted driving, resulting in 455 deaths and 3,087 serious injuries in recent data. That’s more than one distracted driving death every single day in our state.
Houston: The Eye of the Storm
Houston leads Texas in total car accidents, and distracted driving plays a major role. 67,644 total crashes were reported in Houston during 2023. That’s almost 185 crashes every single day. Even more troubling, distracted driving: 20% of crashes are linked to phone usage in the Houston area.
290 people lost their lives on Houston roads in 2023. And in 2024? That number climbed to 345 deaths – a 15% spike in just one year. When you consider that distracted driving contributes to a significant portion of these fatalities, the human cost becomes staggering.
The Young and the Reckless: Who’s Most at Risk?
The statistics reveal disturbing patterns about who’s most likely to text and drive:
- 39 percent of High School students surveyed admitted to texting or emailing while driving
- 36% of respondents (aged 18-24) admitted to texting while driving
- In 2023, drivers spent an average of 1 minute and 38 seconds per hour handling their phones while driving
Perhaps most concerning is the false confidence many young drivers display. Of those who admitted to texting while driving, 51% said they were “very” or “extremely” familiar with their state’s texting and driving laws. Knowledge of the law clearly isn’t enough to prevent this deadly behavior.
Texas Law: Serious Penalties for a Serious Problem
Texas takes texting while driving seriously, and the legal consequences reflect that commitment to road safety. As of September 1, 2017, it is against the law to text and drive in Texas.
Here’s what you need to know about Texas texting while driving laws:
The Penalties
- A fine between $25 and $99 for first-time offenders
- Repeat offenders could receive a fine up to $200
- If you cause serious injury or death to another person(s) due to texting and driving, you could be fined up to $4,000 and spend one year in jail
Criminal Consequences
Texting and driving is a misdemeanor in Texas, which means a conviction creates a criminal record. In severe cases, drivers may face criminally negligent homicide charges under Texas Penal Code § 19.05 if the death results from negligent conduct. This offense is a state jail felony, punishable by 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000.
What’s Prohibited
You cannot send or receive electronic messages while driving in Texas. This includes texting, emailing, and using social media. The law applies even when you’re stopped at traffic lights or in traffic.
Exceptions
The law does allow for:
- Emergency communications
- Hands-free use for navigation, music, or phone calls
- Communication when the vehicle is completely stopped and out of traffic
The Technology Paradox: When Safety Features Become Distractions
Modern vehicles present a troubling paradox. While they’re equipped with more safety features than ever before, they’re also packed with more distractions. The percentage of drivers manipulating hand-held electronic devices has increased 36%, from 2.2% in 2014 to 3.0% in 2023.
Research shows that iPhone and Apple Carplay users are more than twice as likely as Android users to video-chat, use Instagram, stream shows on Netflix or Hulu, and take photos and videos while driving. This data suggests that the problem extends far beyond simple texting.
The Legal Implications: How Texting While Driving Affects Your Injury Claim
As personal injury attorneys, we’ve seen how texting while driving impacts legal cases from both sides. If you’re injured by a distracted driver, proving their phone use can significantly strengthen your case. However, if you were texting when an accident occurred, it can severely damage your ability to recover compensation.
Evidence We Look For
- Cell phone records showing activity at the time of the crash
- Witness testimony about observed phone use
- Traffic camera footage
- Data from the vehicle’s infotainment system
Texas Comparative Negligence
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning if you’re found to be 51% or more at fault for an accident, you cannot recover damages. Texting while driving can easily push your fault percentage above this threshold.
Prevention: Simple Steps That Save Lives
The good news is that texting while driving is 100% preventable. Here are proven strategies to keep yourself and others safe:
Technology Solutions
- Many smartphones now come with “Do not Disturb” features that drivers can activate when they begin driving
- Use apps that block texts and calls while driving
- Set up automatic replies that inform contacts you’re driving
Practical Steps
- Put your phone in the glove compartment or back seat
- Set up navigation and music before starting your trip
- Pull over completely if you must use your phone
- Ask passengers to handle phone-related tasks
Family Commitments
Create family agreements about phone-free driving. Studies show that when families make formal commitments to avoid phone use while driving, compliance rates increase significantly.
The Bottom Line: Your Life Is Worth More Than Any Text
Texting and driving may seem innocent enough (and it’s certainly tempting to do), but every year thousands of faultless drivers and passengers are killed due to the negligence of other drivers.
Every text message, every social media notification, every phone call can wait. No piece of information is worth risking your life or the lives of other innocent people on the road.
If You’ve Been Injured by a Distracted Driver
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a texting driver, you have rights. At Joe I. Zaid & Associates, we’ve helped countless families recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by distracted driving accidents.
The average car accident settlement in Texas is approximately $22,000, higher than the national average of $19,000. However, settlements can range significantly, from as low as $142,500 to over $4.5 million, depending on the severity of injuries and other factors.
We understand the complex legal and technical issues involved in proving distracted driving cases. Our experienced team knows how to:
- Obtain and analyze cell phone records
- Work with accident reconstruction experts
- Negotiate with insurance companies who try to minimize payouts
- Present compelling evidence to juries
Don’t wait to protect your rights. Texas law gives you only two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and phone records may be deleted.
Take Action Today
The statistics are clear: texting while driving kills. But together, we can change these numbers. Make the commitment today to drive phone-free. Put your device away, focus on the road, and arrive safely at your destination.
If you’ve been injured by a distracted driver in Houston, Pasadena, or anywhere in Texas, contact Joe I. Zaid & Associates for a free consultation. Call us at (346) 756-9243 or visit one of our Houston offices.
Remember: We’ll win your injury case, or it’s free. When we take your case, we expect to win because we fight to win.
Your text can wait. Your life cannot.
About Joe I. Zaid & Associates: Since 2013, Joe I. Zaid has represented thousands of clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases, recovering millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. With over 740 positive reviews and recognition as one of Houston’s Top Lawyers, our firm combines legal expertise with genuine compassion for our clients’ well-being.
