UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 | 3 MIN READ
Car accidents remain a prevalent issue across the U.S., with variations evident from state to state. Influenced by factors like population density, infrastructure, and driving habits, some states report alarmingly high rates while others maintain relatively low figures. Let’s review the statistics to get a clear picture of the situation nationwide.
List of car accidents state-by-state
The U.S. is a vast and varied nation, with each state offering unique driving conditions, infrastructure, and population densities. This comprehensive table presents car accident data from every state, comparing crucial metrics such as population, vehicle miles traveled, and fatality rates as collected by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2021.
Key insights reveal states with particularly high deaths per 100,000 population and those with elevated rates of deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. By examining these figures, we can better understand where the most significant challenges lie in road safety across the nation.
Your state’s car accident numbers also impact your car insurance rates. Insurers use data like this to determine the amount of risk for each area, which helps them set your insurance rates.
| State | Population | Vehicle Miles Traveled (Millions) | Fatal Crashes | Deaths | Deaths per 100,000 Population | Deaths per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5,049,846 | 79,569 | 885 | 983 | 19.5 | 1.24 |
| Alaska | 734,182 | 5,752 | 59 | 67 | 9.1 | 1.16 |
| Arizona | 7,264,877 | 73,760 | 1,063 | 1,180 | 16.2 | 1.60 |
| Arkansas | 3,028,122 | 38,427 | 631 | 693 | 22.9 | 1.80 |
| California | 39,142,991 | 310,823 | 3,983 | 4,285 | 10.9 | 1.38 |
| Colorado | 5,811,297 | 53,840 | 638 | 691 | 11.9 | 1.28 |
| Connecticut | 3,623,355 | 28,989 | 283 | 298 | 8.2 | 1.03 |
| Delaware | 1,004,807 | 10,152 | 132 | 136 | 13.5 | 1.34 |
| District of Columbia | 668,791 | 3,248 | 40 | 41 | 6.1 | 1.26 |
| Florida | 21,828,069 | 217,566 | 3,451 | 3,738 | 17.1 | 1.72 |
| Georgia | 10,788,029 | 120,685 | 1,670 | 1,797 | 16.7 | 1.49 |
| Hawaii | 1,447,154 | 9,972 | 94 | 94 | 6.5 | 0.94 |
| Idaho | 1,904,314 | 19,308 | 244 | 271 | 14.2 | 1.40 |
| Illinois | 12,686,469 | 97,530 | 1,210 | 1,334 | 10.5 | 1.37 |
| Indiana | 6,813,532 | 78,640 | 863 | 932 | 13.7 | 1.19 |
| Iowa | 3,197,689 | 33,039 | 329 | 356 | 11.1 | 1.08 |
| Kansas | 2,937,922 | 31,693 | 381 | 424 | 14.4 | 1.34 |
| Kentucky | 4,506,589 | 48,111 | 734 | 806 | 17.9 | 1.68 |
| Louisiana | 4,627,098 | 54,728 | 887 | 972 | 21.0 | 1.78 |
| Maine | 1,377,238 | 14,560 | 135 | 153 | 11.1 | 1.05 |
| Maryland | 6,174,610 | 56,601 | 522 | 561 | 9.1 | 0.99 |
| Massachusetts | 6,989,690 | 59,115 | 397 | 417 | 6.0 | 0.71 |
| Michigan | 10,037,504 | 96,744 | 1,072 | 1,136 | 11.3 | 1.17 |
| Minnesota | 5,711,471 | 57,171 | 451 | 488 | 8.5 | 0.85 |
| Mississippi | 2,949,586 | 40,853 | 697 | 772 | 26.2 | 1.89 |
| Missouri | 6,169,823 | 79,791 | 931 | 1,016 | 16.5 | 1.27 |
| Montana | 1,106,227 | 13,482 | 222 | 239 | 21.6 | 1.77 |
| Nebraska | 1,963,554 | 21,210 | 192 | 221 | 11.3 | 1.04 |
| Nevada | 3,146,402 | 27,077 | 360 | 385 | 12.2 | 1.42 |
| New Hampshire | 1,387,505 | 13,130 | 106 | 118 | 8.5 | 0.90 |
| New Jersey | 9,267,961 | 73,673 | 669 | 699 | 7.5 | 0.95 |
| New Mexico | 2,116,677 | 26,823 | 427 | 481 | 22.7 | 1.79 |
| New York | 19,857,492 | 106,870 | 1,099 | 1,157 | 5.8 | 1.08 |
| North Carolina | 10,565,885 | 117,734 | 1,535 | 1,663 | 15.7 | 1.41 |
| North Dakota | 777,934 | 9,256 | 85 | 101 | 13.0 | 1.09 |
| Ohio | 11,764,342 | 112,923 | 1,242 | 1,354 | 11.5 | 1.20 |
| Oklahoma | 3,991,225 | 44,760 | 681 | 762 | 19.1 | 1.70 |
| Oregon | 4,256,301 | 36,842 | 552 | 599 | 14.1 | 1.63 |
| Pennsylvania | 13,012,059 | 102,686 | 1,153 | 1,230 | 9.5 | 1.20 |
| Rhode Island | 1,096,985 | 7,526 | 61 | 63 | 5.7 | 0.84 |
| South Carolina | 5,193,266 | 57,492 | 1,112 | 1,198 | 23.1 | 2.08 |
| South Dakota | 896,164 | 9,994 | 131 | 148 | 16.5 | 1.48 |
| Tennessee | 6,968,351 | 82,596 | 1,229 | 1,327 | 19.0 | 1.61 |
| Texas | 29,558,864 | 285,028 | 4,068 | 4,498 | 15.2 | 1.58 |
| Utah | 3,339,113 | 33,638 | 293 | 328 | 9.8 | 0.98 |
| Vermont | 646,972 | 6,625 | 69 | 74 | 11.4 | 1.12 |
| Virginia | 8,657,365 | 80,102 | 906 | 973 | 11.2 | 1.21 |
| Washington | 7,740,745 | 57,797 | 603 | 670 | 8.7 | 1.16 |
| West Virginia | 1,785,526 | 16,079 | 257 | 280 | 15.7 | 1.74 |
| Wisconsin | 5,880,101 | 64,983 | 572 | 620 | 10.5 | 0.95 |
| Wyoming | 579,483 | 11,097 | 102 | 110 | 19.0 | 0.99 |
| U.S. total | 332,031,554 | 3,140,090 | 39,508 | 42,939 | 12.9 | 1.37 |
Car accident stats at a glance
Navigating the roads of the U.S. presents its share of risks, with the entire nation recording significant car accident statistics. With a population surpassing 332 million, the U.S. saw a staggering 3.14 trillion vehicle miles traveled in the recent count.
The aftermath?
Nearly 40,000 fatal crashes resulted in over 42,000 deaths. These figures translate to an average of 12.9 deaths for every 100,000 residents and a death rate of 1.37 for every 100 million miles that vehicles travel. This snapshot offers a sobering perspective on the national scale and gravity of car accidents.
- 39,508 – Total number of fatal accidents in the U.S. for 2021
- 47% – Percentage of deaths involving SUVs and pickup trucks in Wyoming in 2021
- 52% – Percentage of vehicle crash deaths occurring from single-vehicle accidents in 2021
- 90% – Percentage of front-seat passengers that wear seat belts in 2021
- 40% – Percentage of vehicle crash deaths that occurred in rural areas in 2021
- 92% – Percentage of vehicle crash deaths that occurred in rural areas in Vermont in 2021
States with the most fatal car accidents in 2021
California leads the chart with a notable 4,285 deaths, closely followed by Texas, which reported a slightly higher 4,498 fatalities.
However, when we look at the data concerning the population and mileage, Florida showcases a concerning 17.1 deaths per 100,000 residents. Georgia and North Carolina, too, have a lot of vehicle crash deaths, each with death rates surpassing 15 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Here’s how the top five states with the most vehicle crash deaths add up.
California
- Deaths: 4,285
- Deaths Per 100,000 Population: 10.9
- Deaths Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: 1.38
Texas
- Deaths: 4,498
- Deaths Per 100,000 Population: 15.2
- Deaths Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: 1.58
Florida
- Deaths: 3,738
- Deaths Per 100,000 Population: 17.1
- Deaths Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: 1.72
Georgia
- Deaths: 1,797
- Deaths Per 100,000 Population: 16.7
- Deaths Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: 1.49
North Carolina
- Deaths: 1,663
- Deaths Per 100,000 Population: 15.7
- Deaths Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: 1.41
States with the least fatal car accidents in 2021
The District of Columbia, with its urban infrastructure, leads the list, reporting a minimal 41 car accident deaths in 2021. This is closely followed by states like Rhode Island and Hawaii, both boasting death rates under 7 per 100,000 population.
Meanwhile, despite their vast terrains, Alaska and Vermont have kept their car accident fatalities under 75 in 2021. These figures provide a beacon of hope and emphasize the potential benefits of specific traffic regulations, infrastructure planning, and community awareness initiatives.
District of Columbia
- Deaths: 41
- Deaths Per 100,000 Population: 6.1
- Deaths Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: 1.26
Rhode Island
- Deaths: 63
- Deaths Per 100,000 Population: 5.7
- Deaths Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: 0.84
Vermont
- Deaths: 74
- Deaths Per 100,000 Population: 11.4
- Deaths Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: 1.12
Alaska
- Deaths: 67
- Deaths Per 100,000 Population: 9.1
- Deaths Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: 1.16
Hawaii
- Deaths: 94
- Deaths Per 100,000 Population: 6.5
- Deaths Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled: 0.94
FAQs
What city has the most auto accidents?
With 34 fatal car accidents per 100,000 people, Memphis, Tennessee, is the city with the most deadly car accidents.
However, in Johns Island, South Carolina, 21% of drivers have an at-fault accident on their record, making this city one of the ones with the highest accident rates in the United States.
What state has the least car accidents?
While Washington D.C. has the least amount of car accidents in the United States, Rhode Island is the state with the least amount of accidents.
What is the safest state to drive in?
With 5.7 car accident deaths per 100,000 people, Rhode Island is the safest state in the U.S. to drive in.
Find car insurance to protect yourself and your vehicle
Accidents can happen anywhere, so you must ensure you’re protected. Use our online rate comparison tool today to find the best insurance coverage at the cheapest rates.
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