Why Texas Sees a Surge in Fatal Crashes from Memorial Day Through Labor Day
As summer rolls in and school ends, roads across Texas become more dangerous. For many families, the freedom of teens behind the wheel also brings heightened worries. This time of year, the stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day, called the “100 Deadliest Days,” sees a steep rise in serious car crashes involving teen drivers.
This annual spike in teen-involved collisions isn’t just a trend—it’s a statewide crisis that leaves families shattered and victims searching for answers. That's why if you were injured in a crash involving a teen driver, or if your teen was hurt in a crash that wasn't their fault, it's in your best interest to contact an experienced Fort Worth car accident lawyer who can help you demand justice, accountability, and compensation for your losses.
Tragic teen crashes increase this time of year
A recent review by AAA of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlights just how alarming this period is. Between 2019 and 2023, more than 13,000 people lost their lives in crashes involving teen drivers, and over 30% of those deaths happened during the summer months. In 2023 alone, 860 fatalities occurred in that 100‑day window, an average of eight deaths per day in teen‑involved crashes..
Why are summer months more dangerous?
Teens drive more in the summer, taking more trips and spending more time than usual behind the wheel. And when they hit the road, they may face unfamiliar routes, unpredictable conditions, busy highways, nighttime driving, and distracting passengers.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following risk factors make teen drivers more vulnerable to car wrecks, especially during the summer months:
- Inexperience: Newly licensed teens are more likely than adults to be involved in a fatal crash per mile driven. The freedom of summer means increased unsupervised driving, more hours behind the wheel, and more exposure to unfamiliar roads.
- Nighttime driving hazards: Teen drivers are especially vulnerable at night. Combine this with summer’s longer evenings and activities stretching late into the night, and you have a recipe for risk.
- Peer passengers and distractions: Every additional passenger increases the risk of an accident. Using their cell phones or adjusting music, even for a split second, can result in a crash. Summer social life means more passengers, more phone checks, and more distractions.
- Not wearing seatbelts: Summer road trips often mean relaxed attitudes, and teens, in general, may not fully understand the importance of wearing seatbelts. With warm weather and open windows, seat belts can feel optional.
- Speeding, drowsiness, and reckless conditions: Teen crashes are often fueled by high speed and fatigue. Speeding and drowsy driving are key danger zones, and summer’s long days can lure teens into late-night driving, exhaustion, and slower reaction times.
How to help teen drivers stay safe
While we can’t eliminate all risk, there are ways to support and guide teen drivers to make smarter and safer decisions on the road:
- Structured parent-teen driving agreements: Set clear expectations, including always wearing seatbelts, stowing phones, and limiting late-night or multiple passenger trips. AAA encourages these as a foundation for safe habits.
- Supervised practice: Encourage teens to log more practice hours in various driving conditions, including during the day, at night, and on highways. Be there initially as a calm coach so they can build skills and confidence before going solo.
- Cutting distractions: Putting phones out of reach, limiting vehicle companions, and reinforcing good focus matter. Create an environment where alert driving becomes the norm.
Remember that it's not just teen drivers who get hurt
Many of the people injured or killed in teen driver crashes aren’t teens at all—they’re passengers, other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians. When a teenager’s mistake causes a serious crash, the ripple effects impact families, communities, and even total strangers. In some tragic cases, it’s a younger sibling in the passenger seat or a grandparent in another car.
If you were injured in a crash involving a teen driver, it’s important to know your rights, regardless of who was behind the wheel.
In Texas, if a teen driver causes a crash, liability often falls on the parents, especially if they own the car or their insurance covers it. But every case is different. Was the car borrowed? Was the teen working at the time? These details matter. An attorney can help identify every potential source of compensation, from family policies to third-party liability.
We also represent injured teen passengers and responsible young drivers
Keep in mind that not every teen behind the wheel is at fault in the event of an accident, and many are victims themselves. At the Cain Firm, our Fort Worth car accident attorneys don’t just represent people hurt by teen drivers. We also fight for teens who were injured due to someone else’s negligence.
That includes teen passengers injured in a friend’s car, young drivers hit by reckless or distracted adults, and families seeking justice after a serious crash caused by another party. If your teenager was doing everything right and still ended up hurt, we’re here to protect their future, help you understand your legal options, and fight for the compensation your family needs to move forward.
Call a Fort Worth car accident lawyer to review your legal options
The Cain Firm stands ready to help when things go wrong. We support Texas families after a crash, taking over complicated legal steps so you can focus on healing. Knowing your rights, accessing evidence, and protecting your teen’s future should never be tackled alone. Contact us today for a free consultation. Start now so your attention can stay where it belongs: with your family.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Cain Firm over the last year. They’re always on top of everything, and they have an amazing culture. They’re very supportive in not only different cases but in each individual’s personal growth as well. Highly recommend Brett Cain and the Cain Firm.”
— Lyman C.
