Millions of traffic accidents happen every day, but only a small percentage of them are fatal. Nonetheless, this still works out to tens of thousands of people killed annually in traffic crashes in the United States.
In a country as expansive and diverse as the U.S., some states see more accidents on average than others. For example, states with larger populations, such as Texas, tend to report more traffic fatalities year over year.
National Fatal Accident Statistics
An estimated 40,990 people died in traffic accidents in 2023. This represents a decline from the previous two years, when traffic-related deaths reached an all-time high. In 2021, a total of 43,230 fatalities were recorded. The next year, 42,514 people died in motor vehicle accidents nationwide.
Which States Have the Most Traffic Fatalities?
Not every state experiences the same number or frequency of traffic deaths. Based on the available statistics, California, Texas, and Florida had the most car accident deaths in 2022. These three states accounted for more than 10,000 of the country’s traffic fatalities that year. Conversely, Alaska and Vermont were two states with the fewest deaths on their roadways.
However, these numbers don’t mean that drivers are most at risk of dying in traffic crashes in California, Texas, and Florida. A state’s fatality rate, expressed as the number of traffic deaths per 100,000 population, is a more accurate predictor of how dangerous a state’s roadways are.
The five states with the highest fatality rate in 2022 were:
- Mississippi: 23.9 deaths per 100,000 population
- Wyoming: 23.0 deaths per 100,000 population
- New Mexico: 22.1 deaths per 100,000 population
- South Carolina: 20.7 deaths per 100,000 population
- Alabama: 19.5 deaths per 100,000 population
By comparison, the three states with the lowest traffic death rates were Rhode Island (4.8), New York (6.0), and New Jersey (7.4). The rates in California, Texas, and Florida were between these extremes: 11.3, 14.7, and 15.9, respectively.
Top Causes of Fatal Wrecks
Fatal car and truck accidents are often the result of careless driver decisions. Sadly, this means many of these crashes could have been avoided had one driver or the other acted more carefully under the circumstances.
Here are some of the most common examples of negligent driving that lead to traffic deaths:
Impaired Driving
Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medications play a role in many fatal accidents. Alcohol-impaired motorists alone were a factor in 12,429 deaths in 2023. These and similar substances cloud drivers’ minds, impair their judgment, and dull their reflexes, making serious accidents more likely to occur.
Speeding
Whenever a driver chooses to exceed the speed limit, they increase the risk that they’ll cause a crash that kills themselves or others. This risk also goes up when motorists travel too fast in poor weather, lighting, or traffic conditions. In 2022, some 12,151 traffic deaths were attributed to speeding accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving, which includes texting and similar device use, was responsible for 3,308 deaths in 2022. Food, phone calls, and fussing with the car’s controls or sound system are also behaviors that can take a driver’s attention off the road. A driver who is distracted is less likely to notice stopped or slowed traffic, road hazards, or other dangers in time to safely react to them.
Avoiding Tragedy on America’s Roads
Driving in the U.S. can be perilous. While the number of traffic deaths has been decreasing since 2021, there are still many states where motorists face an elevated risk of dying in traffic accidents. Your safety in these places depends on your commitment to driving safely and avoiding risky behaviors like impaired driving, speeding, and driving while distracted.
Contact the Dallas Personal Injury Law Firm of Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC Today For Help
For more information, please contact the Dallas personal injury law firm of Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Our office is conveniently located in Dallas, near the Dallas Downtown Historic District. We serve statewide throughout Texas.
Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC
701 Commerce Street, Suite 703
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 615-6394