Denton County recorded slightly fewer motor vehicle crashes during the first three months of 2026 than during the same period in 2025. However, injuries, commercial motor vehicle crashes, and traffic fatalities all increased.
From January 1 through March 31, 2026, Denton County had 3,164 reported crashes. That was only 54 fewer crashes than the 3,218 wrecks reported during the first quarter of 2025.
Despite the modest decline in total crashes, the number of people injured increased from 1,150 to 1,173. Commercial motor vehicle crashes increased from 243 to 259.
Most concerning, traffic deaths increased from six during the first quarter of 2025 to 20 during the same period in 2026. That means Denton County recorded more than three times as many crash fatalities in early 2026.
For injured drivers, passengers, and families, these numbers are more than statistics. A serious car or truck wreck can leave a victim facing emergency medical treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, lost income, vehicle damage, permanent impairment, and pressure from an insurance company trying to minimize the claim.
The Wooley Law Firm represents victims of car wrecks, 18-wheeler accidents, delivery-truck crashes, and other commercial vehicle collisions throughout Denton County and North Texas. We investigate what happened, preserve important evidence, identify every potentially responsible party, and fight for the maximum compensation available under Texas law.
Denton County Crash Statistics for the First Quarter of 2026
This analysis compares Denton County motor vehicle crash data from January 1 through March 31, 2026, with data from the same three-month period in 2025.
Denton County crash totals
During the first quarter of 2025, Denton County recorded:
3,218 crashes
6,635 vehicles and other units involved
8,131 people involved
1,150 total injuries
71 suspected serious injuries
6 fatalities
243 commercial motor vehicle crashes
During the first quarter of 2026, Denton County recorded:
3,164 crashes
6,473 vehicles and other units involved
7,896 people involved
1,173 total injuries
69 suspected serious injuries
20 fatalities
259 commercial motor vehicle crashes
From 2025 to 2026:
Total crashes decreased by 54, or approximately 1.7%.
Units involved decreased by 162, or approximately 2.4%.
People involved decreased by 235, or approximately 2.9%.
Total injuries increased by 23, or approximately 2%.
Suspected serious injuries decreased by two, or approximately 2.8%.
Traffic fatalities increased by 14, or approximately 233.3%.
Commercial motor vehicle crashes increased by 16, or approximately 6.6%.
The countywide crash total remained relatively stable. However, the changes in injury severity, fatalities, and commercial vehicle involvement show that the overall number of wrecks does not tell the entire story.
More Than 1,100 People Were Injured in Denton County Wrecks
Denton County recorded 1,173 crash-related injuries during the first three months of 2026.
That was an increase of 23 injuries compared with the 1,150 injuries reported during the same period in 2025.
An increase of approximately 2% may appear modest, but it represents 23 additional people suffering injuries in Denton County wrecks.
Crash injuries may include:
Traumatic brain injuries
Concussions
Neck and back injuries
Herniated or bulging discs
Shoulder injuries
Knee injuries
Broken bones
Internal injuries
Nerve damage
Burns and lacerations
Permanent physical impairment
The full extent of an injury may not be immediately known. A person may leave the emergency room believing the injuries are temporary, only to later require MRIs, specialist care, injections, physical therapy, surgery, or long-term treatment.
An injury claim should consider more than the medical expenses already received. It may also need to account for future treatment, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain, mental anguish, impairment, disfigurement, and the ways the injuries affect the victim’s daily life.
Denton County Traffic Deaths Increased by More Than 233%
The most alarming trend in the Denton County data is the increase in traffic fatalities.
Denton County recorded six crash-related deaths from January 1 through March 31, 2025. During the same period in 2026, 20 people were killed.
That represents 14 additional deaths, or an increase of approximately 233.3%.
In other words, Denton County recorded more than three times as many traffic fatalities during the first quarter of 2026 as it did during the same period in 2025.
Twenty deaths in three months means an average of more than one person was killed in a Denton County crash every five days.
The increase is especially concerning because the county recorded slightly fewer total crashes. Fewer wrecks did not result in fewer deaths.
Fatal collisions may involve:
High-speed highway crashes
18-wheeler and commercial truck wrecks
Head-on collisions
Motorcycle crashes
Pedestrian accidents
Drunk-driving wrecks
Wrong-way drivers
Rural roadway collisions
Multi-vehicle pileups
For families who lose a loved one, the consequences are permanent. Depending on the circumstances, surviving family members may be able to pursue a Texas wrongful death claim for losses such as lost financial support, lost care and services, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and funeral expenses.
A fatal wreck must be investigated quickly. Vehicles may be repaired or destroyed, electronic data may be overwritten, surveillance footage may be deleted, and witnesses may become more difficult to locate.
The investigation may also identify responsible parties beyond the driver, including a trucking company, employer, vehicle owner, maintenance contractor, cargo company, or another business whose negligence contributed to the wreck.
Suspected Serious Injuries Declined Slightly
Denton County recorded 71 suspected serious injuries during the first quarter of 2025 and 69 during the same period in 2026.
That represents a decline of two suspected serious injuries, or approximately 2.8%.
Although the number declined slightly, 69 suspected serious injuries in only three months remain significant.
Suspected serious injuries may include injuries that create a substantial risk of death, cause permanent disfigurement, or result in prolonged loss or impairment of a body part or organ.
These injuries may require:
Emergency surgery
Hospitalization
Rehabilitation
Specialist care
Physical or occupational therapy
Assistive devices
Future medical procedures
Long-term personal assistance
The financial and personal effects of a serious injury can continue long after the crash. A victim may be unable to return to the same job, care for family members, participate in normal activities, or live independently.
Commercial Motor Vehicle Crashes Increased in Denton County
Crashes involving commercial motor vehicles increased during the first quarter of 2026.
Denton County recorded 243 commercial motor vehicle crashes from January 1 through March 31, 2025. During the same period in 2026, the county recorded 259.
That represents 16 additional commercial vehicle wrecks, or an increase of approximately 6.6%.
Commercial motor vehicles may include:
18-wheelers and tractor-trailers
Delivery trucks and vans
Box trucks
Dump trucks
Construction vehicles
Tanker trucks
Utility vehicles
Buses
Company-owned vehicles
Commercial vehicle crashes may cause catastrophic injuries because these vehicles are often larger and heavier than passenger cars. They may also involve complicated liability questions and multiple insurance policies.
Depending on the facts, potentially responsible parties may include:
The commercial driver
The trucking company
The driver’s employer
The vehicle owner
A maintenance company
A cargo-loading company
A contractor or broker
Another business involved in the vehicle’s operation
Important evidence may include:
Electronic logging device data
Driver qualification records
Hours-of-service logs
Event data recorder information
Dash-camera or onboard video
GPS and telematics records
Vehicle inspection reports
Maintenance records
Dispatch communications
Cellphone records
Cargo documents
Hiring and training materials
Company safety policies
Some of this evidence may be controlled by the trucking company and may not be preserved indefinitely. A prompt investigation and evidence-preservation letter can be critical after a serious Denton County truck wreck.
Learn more about how a Denton truck accident lawyer can investigate an 18-wheeler or commercial vehicle crash.
Denton Had the Most Crashes in Denton County
Crashes occurred throughout Denton County, but the city-level data shows that Denton and Lewisville accounted for a large share of the county’s wrecks.
Denton County locations with the most crashes in early 2026
From January 1 through March 31, 2026, the locations with the highest crash totals were:
Denton: 665 crashes
Lewisville: 590 crashes
Flower Mound: 209 crashes
Carrollton: 198 crashes
Areas outside city limits: 198 crashes
Frisco: 164 crashes
The Colony: 164 crashes
Little Elm: 144 crashes
Corinth: 117 crashes
Northlake: 101 crashes
Fort Worth: 72 crashes
Sanger: 69 crashes
Dallas: 54 crashes
Hickory Creek: 50 crashes
Lake Dallas: 35 crashes
Prosper: 34 crashes
Cross Roads: 33 crashes
Argyle: 32 crashes
Denton recorded 665 crashes, accounting for approximately 21% of all Denton County crashes during the first quarter of 2026.
Denton and Lewisville together recorded 1,255 crashes. Those two cities accounted for approximately 39.7% of the countywide total.
The five locations with the highest totals—Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Carrollton, and areas outside city limits—accounted for 1,860 crashes, or approximately 58.8% of all Denton County wrecks during the reporting period.
Other crashes occurred in Providence Village, Roanoke, Aubrey, Oak Point, Justin, Highland Village, Pilot Point, Westlake, Ponder, Krum, Celina, Trophy Club, Bartonville, Plano, Coppell, Hebron, Krugerville, Shady Shores, Copper Canyon, Double Oak, Hackberry, and other portions of Denton County.
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Crashes Declined in Denton and Lewisville
Denton continued to have the county’s highest crash total, but its number of wrecks declined slightly.
Denton recorded 680 crashes during the first quarter of 2025 and 665 during the same period in 2026.
That represents 15 fewer crashes, or a decrease of approximately 2.2%.
Lewisville experienced a larger decline. The city recorded 655 crashes in early 2025 and 590 in early 2026.
That represents 65 fewer crashes, or a decrease of approximately 9.9%.
Despite the reductions, Denton and Lewisville remained the two cities with the most reported crashes in Denton County.
Several Other Denton County Cities Had Fewer Wrecks
Other communities with year-over-year declines included:
Carrollton decreased from 227 to 198 crashes, approximately 12.8%.
The Colony decreased from 186 to 164 crashes, approximately 11.8%.
Roanoke decreased from 42 to 24 crashes, approximately 42.9%.
Dallas decreased from 66 to 54 crashes, approximately 18.2%.
Hickory Creek decreased from 60 to 50 crashes, approximately 16.7%.
Cross Roads decreased from 40 to 33 crashes, approximately 17.5%.
Prosper decreased from 39 to 34 crashes, approximately 12.8%.
Corinth decreased from 125 to 117 crashes, approximately 6.4%.
Little Elm decreased from 146 to 144 crashes.
Frisco decreased from 166 to 164 crashes.
Aubrey decreased from 24 to 23 crashes.
These declines helped offset substantial increases in several other parts of the county.
Flower Mound Crashes Increased by More Than 32%
Flower Mound experienced the largest numerical increase among the listed Denton County cities.
The city recorded 158 crashes during the first quarter of 2025 and 209 during the same period in 2026.
That represents 51 additional crashes, or an increase of approximately 32.3%.
Flower Mound moved from the seventh-highest city total in early 2025 to the third-highest total in early 2026, behind only Denton and Lewisville.
Northlake, Fort Worth, and Sanger Had More Crashes
Several rapidly developing areas also experienced significant increases.
Northlake crashes increased by more than 36%
Northlake recorded 74 crashes during the first quarter of 2025 and 101 during the same period in 2026.
That represents 27 additional crashes, or an increase of approximately 36.5%.
Fort Worth crashes increased by more than 53%
The portion of Fort Worth located in Denton County recorded 47 crashes in early 2025 and 72 in early 2026.
That represents 25 additional crashes, or an increase of approximately 53.2%.
Sanger crashes increased by more than 53%
Sanger recorded 45 crashes during the first quarter of 2025 and 69 during the same period in 2026.
That represents 24 additional crashes, or an increase of approximately 53.3%.
Other Communities With More Crashes
Additional year-over-year increases included:
Justin increased from 8 to 19 crashes.
Oak Point increased from 9 to 20 crashes.
Providence Village increased from 20 to 24 crashes.
Areas outside city limits increased from 194 to 198 crashes.
Lake Dallas increased from 32 to 35 crashes.
Ponder increased from 11 to 13 crashes.
Highland Village increased from 17 to 18 crashes.
Trophy Club increased from 10 to 11 crashes.
Coppell increased from 2 to 3 crashes.
Because some communities had relatively low totals, even a modest numerical change may produce a large percentage increase. The raw numbers should therefore be considered alongside the percentages.
The crash data alone does not establish why wrecks increased or declined in a particular city. However, many Denton County communities continue to experience residential growth, commercial construction, and increased commuter traffic.
Growing areas may face changing conditions involving:
New subdivisions and apartment developments
Road and utility construction
Increased commercial truck traffic
Congested intersections
Changing lane configurations
Rural roads carrying more vehicles
Longer commuting distances
Drivers unfamiliar with newly developed areas
Denton County Roads With the Most Crashes
A large share of Denton County’s crashes occurred on major interstates, highways, farm-to-market roads, and arterial streets.
From January 1 through March 31, 2026, the listed roads with the highest crash totals were:
Interstate 35E: 466 crashes
State Highway 121: 214 crashes
U.S. 380: 151 crashes
Interstate 35: 121 crashes
U.S. 377: 101 crashes
Interstate 35W: 88 crashes
FM 423: 86 crashes
State Highway 114: 80 crashes
FM 407: 77 crashes
FM 2499: 67 crashes
FM 1171: 57 crashes
FM 720: 48 crashes
Loop 288: 48 crashes
U.S. 77: 44 crashes
FM 156: 43 crashes
North Josey Lane: 38 crashes
FM 2181: 36 crashes
FM 428: 32 crashes
FM 3040: 30 crashes
FM 455: 29 crashes
FM 544: 20 crashes
Main Street: 19 crashes
Windhaven Parkway: 16 crashes
FM 2931: 15 crashes
Old Denton Road: 15 crashes
West Hebron Parkway: 15 crashes
These 26 roadways accounted for 1,956 wrecks, or approximately 61.8% of all crashes reported in Denton County during the first quarter of 2026.
Interstate 35E Had the Most Denton County Crashes
Interstate 35E recorded 466 crashes in Denton County during the first three months of 2026, far more than any other listed roadway.
That equals an average of more than five reported crashes per day.
I-35E carries heavy commuter, commercial, and 18-wheeler traffic through Denton, Corinth, Lake Dallas, Hickory Creek, Lewisville, and other parts of the county.
Drivers regularly encounter:
High speeds
Heavy congestion
Entrance and exit ramps
Sudden slowdowns
Construction activity
Frequent lane changes
Large commercial vehicles
Stop-and-go traffic
I-35E had 551 crashes during the first quarter of 2025 and 466 during the same period in 2026.
That represents 85 fewer crashes, or a decline of approximately 15.4%.
Although the decrease is encouraging, 466 wrecks in three months still made I-35E the county’s leading crash corridor.
State Highway 121 Crashes Declined
State Highway 121 recorded 245 crashes during the first quarter of 2025 and 214 during the same period in 2026.
That represents 31 fewer crashes, or a decrease of approximately 12.7%.
State Highway 121 carries substantial commuter and commercial traffic through Lewisville, The Colony, Carrollton, Frisco, and surrounding areas.
Crashes on the corridor may involve high speeds, merging vehicles, distracted driving, sudden congestion, unsafe lane changes, and vehicles following too closely.
U.S. 380 Crashes Increased
U.S. 380 recorded 139 crashes during the first quarter of 2025 and 151 during the same period in 2026.
That represents 12 additional crashes, or an increase of approximately 8.6%.
U.S. 380 carries commuter, construction, delivery, and commercial truck traffic through rapidly developing portions of Denton County.
Drivers may encounter:
Heavy congestion
New construction
Turning vehicles
Changing traffic patterns
High speeds
Commercial trucks
Limited-access intersections
Traffic entering from new residential developments
Learn more about why U.S. 380 is a dangerous corridor for car and truck wrecks.
Interstate 35 Crashes Increased
Interstate 35 recorded 105 crashes during the first quarter of 2025 and 121 during the same period in 2026.
That represents 16 additional crashes, or an increase of approximately 15.2%.
Interstate 35 carries significant passenger and commercial traffic through northern Denton County. High speeds, construction, congestion, and heavy truck traffic may increase the risk of severe multi-vehicle collisions.
Crashes Increased on Several Farm-to-Market Roads
The Denton County data shows that crash risks are not limited to interstates and state highways.
Several farm-to-market roads experienced notable increases.
FM 428 crashes increased by more than 33%
FM 428 recorded 24 crashes during the first quarter of 2025 and 32 during the same period in 2026.
That represents an increase of approximately 33.3%.
FM 156 crashes increased by more than 30%
FM 156 had 33 crashes in early 2025 and 43 during the same period in 2026.
That represents 10 additional crashes, or an increase of approximately 30.3%.
FM 1171 crashes increased by nearly 30%
FM 1171 recorded 44 crashes during the first quarter of 2025 and 57 in early 2026.
That represents 13 additional crashes, or an increase of approximately 29.5%.
Other roads with more crashes
Other increases included:
U.S. 77 increased from 35 to 44 crashes, approximately 25.7%.
North Josey Lane increased from 31 to 38 crashes, approximately 22.6%.
FM 455 increased from 24 to 29 crashes, approximately 20.8%.
FM 2181 increased from 31 to 36 crashes, approximately 16.1%.
FM 2499 increased from 59 to 67 crashes, approximately 13.6%.
Main Street increased from 17 to 19 crashes, approximately 11.8%.
I-35W increased from 81 to 88 crashes, approximately 8.6%.
U.S. 380 increased from 139 to 151 crashes, approximately 8.6%.
State Highway 114 increased from 74 to 80 crashes, approximately 8.1%.
Loop 288 increased from 47 to 48 crashes.
Many farm-to-market roads were originally designed for lighter or more rural traffic. Rapid development may place increasing pressure on intersections, shoulders, turn lanes, and traffic-control systems.
Several Denton County Roads Had Fewer Wrecks
Other major roads experienced declines:
FM 544 decreased from 41 to 20 crashes, approximately 51.2%.
Windhaven Parkway decreased from 23 to 16 crashes, approximately 30.4%.
FM 423 decreased from 103 to 86 crashes, approximately 16.5%.
I-35E decreased from 551 to 466 crashes, approximately 15.4%.
U.S. 377 decreased from 116 to 101 crashes, approximately 12.9%.
State Highway 121 decreased from 245 to 214 crashes, approximately 12.7%.
FM 2931 decreased from 17 to 15 crashes, approximately 11.8%.
FM 3040 decreased from 33 to 30 crashes, approximately 9.1%.
FM 720 decreased from 52 to 48 crashes, approximately 7.7%.
Old Denton Road decreased from 16 to 15 crashes.
FM 407 remained unchanged at 77 crashes.
The road lists were not identical in both years. The 2025 list also included FM 1385, FM 2934, East Hebron Parkway, Marsh Lane, State Highway 190, and Valley Ridge Boulevard. The 2026 list included West Hebron Parkway.
Because of these differences, the most reliable year-over-year comparisons involve roads appearing in both datasets.
Why Highway and Truck Wreck Claims Can Be Complicated
A crash on I-35E, I-35W, State Highway 121, U.S. 380, U.S. 377, State Highway 114, or another major Denton County road may be more difficult to investigate than a minor collision.
Highway wrecks may involve:
High speeds
Multiple vehicles
Disputed lane changes
Merging traffic
Chain-reaction impacts
Commercial trucks
Road construction
Limited witnesses
Catastrophic injuries
Multiple insurance policies
Drivers blaming one another
Important evidence may include dash-camera footage, traffic-camera recordings, business surveillance video, vehicle event data, cellphone records, witness statements, physical evidence, and roadway measurements.
Truck and commercial vehicle cases may involve even more evidence. The trucking company may possess driver logs, GPS data, inspection records, hiring files, maintenance documents, onboard video, and internal safety records.
Evidence can disappear quickly. Video may be overwritten. Vehicles may be repaired. Electronic information may be lost. Witnesses may forget details or become difficult to locate.
The trucking company and its insurance carrier may have investigators working immediately after the crash. An injured victim deserves an attorney who will act quickly to protect the evidence and build the claim.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Denton County Wreck?
A person injured because of another driver’s negligence may be entitled to pursue compensation for losses caused by the crash.
Depending on the facts, recoverable damages may include:
Ambulance expenses
Emergency room bills
Hospital expenses
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Physical therapy
Prescription medication
Future medical care
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Physical pain
Mental anguish
Physical impairment
Disfigurement
Property damage
Wrongful death damages when applicable
The value of a claim depends on factors such as the severity of the injuries, available insurance coverage, medical evidence, liability evidence, future prognosis, lost income, permanent limitations, and the effect of the wreck on the victim’s life.
Insurance companies may try to settle before the victim knows the full extent of the injuries or future treatment needs. A quick offer may not account for surgery, future care, impairment, diminished earning ability, or long-term pain.
Before accepting a settlement or signing insurance documents, an injured person should understand what the claim may actually be worth.
How The Wooley Law Firm Helps After a Denton County Car or Truck Wreck
Insurance companies begin protecting their interests immediately after a serious collision. Injured victims should do the same.
The Wooley Law Firm can help by:
Investigating how the wreck occurred
Obtaining the police crash report
Identifying drivers, owners, employers, and other responsible parties
Locating witnesses
Preserving electronic and physical evidence
Obtaining available video footage
Reviewing trucking and commercial vehicle records
Identifying all available insurance policies
Collecting medical records and bills
Documenting lost wages and future damages
Negotiating with insurance companies
Filing a lawsuit when necessary
Preparing the case for trial
Proving a serious injury claim requires evidence of both liability and damages. Liability concerns who caused the wreck. Damages concern how the collision affected the victim’s health, work, finances, family, and quality of life.
Our goal is to build the strongest case possible, hold the responsible parties accountable, and pursue the maximum compensation available.
Injured in a Denton County Car or Truck Wreck?
Denton County experienced slightly fewer total crashes during the first three months of 2026. However, total injuries increased, commercial motor vehicle crashes increased, and traffic fatalities rose by more than 233%.
The data shows that serious wreck risks remain throughout Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Carrollton, Frisco, The Colony, Little Elm, Corinth, Northlake, Sanger, Aubrey, Argyle, Justin, Pilot Point, and other Denton County communities.
If you were injured in a wreck on I-35E, State Highway 121, U.S. 380, I-35, U.S. 377, I-35W, FM 423, State Highway 114, FM 407, FM 2499, FM 1171, Loop 288, or another Denton County roadway, you may have the right to seek compensation.
Learn more about how The Wooley Law Firm handles car accident claims and 18-wheeler and commercial truck wrecks.
Call The Wooley Law Firm at 214-699-6524 for a free consultation.
You don’t pay unless we win.
Source: TxDOT CRIS Query data for crashes occurring in Denton County from January 1 through March 31, 2025, and January 1 through March 31, 2026.
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Andrew J. Wooley
Personal Injury Attorney
Andrew J. Wooley is a dedicated personal injury attorney based in Dallas, Texas. He focuses on helping accident victims recover fair compensation for their injuries. With a commitment to personalized service, Andrew works directly with each client to understand their unique situation and fight for their rights.
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