Tarrant County Car and Truck Wrecks Through September 2026: Injuries Increase as Overall Deaths Decline

Tarrant County recorded 24,868 reported crashes, 12,495 injured people, and 142 traffic deaths from January 1 through September 30, 2026, according to our analysis of Texas Department of Transportation CRIS records.

Compared with the same nine months in 2025, reported crashes increased approximately 0.8%, while the number of injured people increased approximately 3.7%. Tarrant County recorded 444 additional injured people, even though suspected serious injuries and overall traffic deaths declined.

The third quarter showed another important pattern: crashes decreased from the second quarter, but the number of people injured increased.

This report follows our earlier analysis of Tarrant County car wrecks during the first half of 2026. It adds July through September and uses updated records to compare the first three quarters of 2026.

The Wooley Law Firm represents people injured in car, truck, and commercial vehicle wrecks throughout Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, and the rest of Tarrant County.

Tarrant County Crash Statistics: January–September 2026 Compared With 2025

The Dallas–Fort Worth region’s crash trends vary by county, city, and roadway. For Tarrant County, the first nine months of 2026 showed modest growth in reported crashes and a larger increase in injuries.

Compared with January 1–September 30, 2025:

• Reported crashes increased from 24,664 to 24,868. That represents 204 additional crashes, an increase of approximately 0.8%.

• People injured increased from 12,051 to 12,495. That represents 444 additional injured people, an increase of approximately 3.7%.

• Suspected serious injuries decreased from 801 to 785. That represents 16 fewer suspected serious injuries, a decrease of approximately 2%.

• Traffic deaths decreased from 151 to 142. That represents nine fewer deaths, a decrease of approximately 6%.

Suspected serious injuries are included within the overall injury total. They should not be added to it again.

During the first 273 days of 2026, Tarrant County averaged approximately 91 reported crashes and 46 injured people per day.

These results present a mixed picture. Fewer people died, and fewer injuries were classified as suspected serious injuries. However, hundreds more people were reported injured overall.

Third-Quarter 2026 Compared With the First and Second Quarters

Looking at each quarter separately helps show how Tarrant County’s crash experience changed during the year.

First Quarter: January–March 2026

Tarrant County recorded:

• 7,890 crashes

• 3,870 injured people

• 234 suspected serious injuries

• 47 deaths

The first quarter had the lowest crash and injury totals of the first three quarters.

Second Quarter: April–June 2026

Tarrant County recorded:

• 8,573 crashes

• 4,284 injured people

• 278 suspected serious injuries

• 48 deaths

The second quarter had the highest crash total and the most suspected serious injuries among the three quarters.

Third Quarter: July–September 2026

Tarrant County recorded:

• 8,405 crashes

• 4,341 injured people

• 273 suspected serious injuries

• 47 deaths

The third quarter had the highest number of injured people, despite having fewer crashes than the second quarter.

Third Quarter Versus Second Quarter: Fewer Wrecks, More Injured People

Compared with April–June, July–September recorded:

• 168 fewer crashes, a decrease of approximately 2%.

• 57 more injured people, an increase of approximately 1.3%.

• Five fewer suspected serious injuries, a decrease of approximately 1.8%.

• One fewer death.

The decline in crashes did not produce a corresponding decline in the overall number of injured people.

That does not establish why injuries increased. It does show why crash totals alone provide an incomplete picture.

Third Quarter Versus First Quarter: Injuries Increased 12.2%

Compared with January–March, the third quarter recorded:

• 515 more crashes, an increase of approximately 6.5%.

• 471 more injured people, an increase of approximately 12.2%.

• 39 more suspected serious injuries, an increase of approximately 16.7%.

• The same number of deaths: 47.

These comparisons use quarterly totals. The first quarter contained 90 days, the second contained 91, and the third contained 92. The figures are not adjusted for traffic volume or miles traveled.

How Did Third-Quarter 2026 Compare With Third-Quarter 2025?

Comparing July through September in both years produces a similar finding: fewer crashes, but more injured people.

Tarrant County recorded 8,405 crashes in third-quarter 2026, compared with 8,564 in third-quarter 2025. That represents 159 fewer crashes, a decrease of approximately 1.9%.

However:

• People injured increased from 4,267 to 4,341, approximately 1.7%.

• Suspected serious injuries remained at 273.

• Deaths remained at 47.

The third-quarter decline in crashes narrowed the county’s year-over-year increase. It did not eliminate the increase in overall injuries.

Fort Worth Accounted for More Than Half of Tarrant County’s Crashes

Fort Worth recorded 12,754 crashes within the Tarrant County-filtered dataset during January–September 2026, compared with 12,318 during the same period in 2025.

That represents 436 additional crashes, an increase of approximately 3.5%.

Fort Worth accounted for approximately 51.3% of all reported Tarrant County crashes.

The city’s increase exceeded the countywide increase of 204 crashes. Declines in Arlington, Grand Prairie, Bedford, and other communities offset part of Fort Worth’s growth.

Arlington remained second, with 3,801 crashes, down from 4,034 in 2025—a decrease of approximately 5.8%.

Together, Fort Worth and Arlington accounted for approximately 66.6% of the county’s reported crashes.

Tarrant County Cities With the Most Reported Wrecks

The ten cities with the highest crash totals in the January–September 2026 Tarrant County records were:

1. Fort Worth: 12,754 crashes.

2. Arlington: 3,801 crashes.

3. Mansfield: 736 crashes.

4. Grand Prairie: 655 crashes.

5. North Richland Hills: 588 crashes.

6. Forest Hill: 577 crashes.

7. Grapevine: 524 crashes.

8. Euless: 503 crashes.

9. Bedford: 502 crashes.

10. Haltom City: 493 crashes.

Several cities experienced notable changes:

• Forest Hill: Increased from 443 to 577 crashes, approximately 30.2%.

• Mansfield: Increased from 727 to 736, approximately 1.2%.

• Grand Prairie: Decreased from 725 to 655, approximately 9.7%.

• North Richland Hills: Decreased from 632 to 588, approximately 7%.

• Grapevine: Decreased from 565 to 524, approximately 7.3%.

• Bedford: Decreased from 597 to 502, approximately 15.9%.

These are county-filtered figures. For cities extending into more than one county, they represent only the crashes returned by the Tarrant County query.

Raw totals also do not establish that one city is inherently safer or more dangerous. Population, roadway mileage, traffic volume, and reporting practices can affect the numbers.

I-35W Had the Most Crashes Among the Listed Tarrant County Roadway Labels

I-35W remained the leading roadway label in the supplied records, with 1,787 crashes during the first nine months of 2026.

That compares with 1,764 during the same period in 2025, an increase of approximately 1.3%.

Leading highway and route labels included:

1. I-35W: 1,787 crashes.

2. I-20: 1,353 crashes.

3. I-820: 1,187 crashes.

4. I-30: 1,032 crashes.

5. SH-360: 796 crashes.

6. SH-183: 781 crashes.

7. Business US-287P: 599 crashes.

8. SH-121: 585 crashes.

9. FM-157: 521 crashes.

10. US-377: 379 crashes.

I-20 increased slightly, from 1,346 to 1,353 crashes. Several other major route labels recorded decreases:

• I-820: From 1,362 to 1,187, approximately 12.8%.

• I-30: From 1,241 to 1,032, approximately 16.8%.

• SH-360: From 922 to 796, approximately 13.7%.

• SH-183: From 951 to 781, approximately 17.9%.

• SH-121: From 775 to 585, approximately 24.5%.

These counts use the roadway labels as recorded. Alternate names, frontage roads, business routes, and related highway segments may appear separately.

Our guide to 18-wheeler wrecks on I-35W in Fort Worth explains investigation issues that can arise after a serious commercial truck collision on that corridor.

A high raw crash total does not establish the highest crash rate. Comparing roadway risk would require additional information, including traffic volume and roadway length.

Commercial Vehicle Crashes Stayed Nearly Flat, but Deaths Increased

Tarrant County recorded 1,770 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles during January–September 2026, compared with 1,774 during the same period in 2025.

That represents four fewer crashes—a decrease of approximately 0.2%.

Other measures changed more substantially:

• People injured decreased from 648 to 612, approximately 5.6%.

• Suspected serious injuries decreased from 49 to 42, approximately 14.3%.

• Deaths increased from 13 to 18—five additional deaths.

The increase in deaths is approximately 38.5%, but that percentage comes from relatively small underlying counts. Both the percentage and the actual increase of five matter.

The CMV category includes more than 18-wheelers. It can include other vehicles classified as commercial motor vehicles. The flag establishes commercial vehicle involvement, not that the commercial driver caused the collision.

Third-Quarter Commercial Vehicle Results

CMV-involved crashes increased during each quarter of 2026:

• First quarter: 544 crashes.

• Second quarter: 609 crashes.

• Third quarter: 617 crashes.

However, deaths in those crashes declined from 10 in the second quarter to two in the third quarter. Third-quarter CMV crashes involved 220 injured people, including 16 suspected serious injuries.

An individual truck wreck requires its own investigation. A Fort Worth truck accident lawyer can examine driver conduct, company responsibility, vehicle condition, available insurance, and other relevant evidence.

What to Preserve After a Fort Worth or Tarrant County Wreck

Statistics describe countywide trends. An injury claim depends on evidence connecting a particular collision to the responsible parties and the injured person’s losses.

If it is safe to do so, preserve:

• Photographs of vehicles, damage, lane markings, traffic signals, and debris.

• Witness names and contact information.

• Original dash-camera recordings.

• Crash report information.

• Medical records, bills, and treatment recommendations.

• Documentation of missed work and other expenses.

• Insurance correspondence.

Our guide explains how to obtain a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report after a Dallas–Fort Worth wreck.

Commercial vehicle cases may also require preservation of electronic vehicle data, driver logs, dispatch records, inspection reports, maintenance records, and onboard video. The available evidence depends on the vehicle and circumstances.

Vehicles can be repaired and video can be overwritten. Early investigation may help preserve information needed to resolve disputed responsibility.

Getting Help With an Injury Claim After a Tarrant County Crash

A serious wreck can leave an injured person managing treatment, missed work, transportation problems, and calls from insurance adjusters at the same time.

The Wooley Law Firm can help investigate the collision, identify available coverage, document injuries and losses, and address disputes about responsibility or compensation.

Before agreeing to a recorded statement or signing documents, understand what the insurer is requesting. Our guide discusses insurance company calls after a car or truck wreck.

The value and outcome of a claim depend on its facts. Countywide statistics cannot establish fault or determine what an individual case is worth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tarrant County Wrecks in 2026

How many crashes occurred in Tarrant County through September 2026?

The supplied CRIS records show 24,868 reported crashes from January 1 through September 30, 2026, compared with 24,664 during the same period in 2025.

Did Tarrant County crash injuries increase?

Yes. The number of injured people increased from 12,051 to 12,495, approximately 3.7%. Suspected serious injuries declined approximately 2%.

Did traffic deaths increase or decrease?

Overall traffic deaths declined from 151 to 142. Deaths in crashes involving commercial motor vehicles increased from 13 to 18.

Which quarter had the most crashes and injuries?

The second quarter had the most crashes, with 8,573. The third quarter had the most injured people, with 4,341.

Which city had the most crashes?

Fort Worth had the highest total within the Tarrant County dataset, with 12,754 crashes, followed by Arlington with 3,801.

Injured in a Fort Worth or Tarrant County Car or Truck Wreck?

The Wooley Law Firm represents injured people throughout Tarrant County, including Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, Grand Prairie, North Richland Hills, Forest Hill, Grapevine, Euless, Bedford, and Haltom City.

If you need help after a car, 18-wheeler, or other commercial vehicle collision, our firm can review the facts and explain your options.

Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win. You can also contact The Wooley Law Firm online.

Data Sources and Methodology

This analysis uses two TxDOT Crash Records Information System query exports filtered to Tarrant County and the periods January 1–September 30, 2025, and January 1–September 30, 2026. TxDOT provides public crash data through CRIS Query.

The 2026 export reflects records processed through October 15, 2026. The 2025 export reflects records processed through October 16, 2026. Quarterly results were calculated using each record’s crash date. CMV results include crashes marked “Yes” in the Commercial Motor Vehicle Flag field.

The updated 2026 file contains 16,463 first-half crashes, compared with 16,398 in our earlier article. This follow-up consistently uses the updated file for all 2026 comparisons. CRIS totals can change as reports and supplemental information are processed.

Injury and death figures count people, not crashes. Suspected serious injuries are included within total injuries. Roadway rankings use recorded street or route labels without automatically combining alternate names. City and roadway totals are not adjusted for population, traffic volume, or miles traveled.

The data does not independently explain why totals changed or establish fault in any collision. The analysis and conclusions are those of The Wooley Law Firm, not TxDOT.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.