Ten of the Most Dangerous States for Car Accidents
Car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death across the country. Collisions can take place in any area, but data shows that certain states are more dangerous than others. Here, car accident lawyers from Chanfrau & Chanfrau present ten of the most dangerous states for car accidents, so that drivers in Daytona Beach, FL, Palm Coast, FL, and across the state can see how Florida ranks.
The Ten Most Dangerous States
There are a number of factors to consider when determining which states are the most dangerous for car accidents. Using data collected by insurance companies, Insurify has identified some of the most dangerous states based on prior at-fault accidents, prior speeding violations, prior DUIs, and prior reckless driving incidents.
Massachusetts
Although the state’s speeding, DUI, and reckless driving incidents all fell below the national average, Massachusetts had the highest percentage of drivers with prior at-fault car accidents (17.14%). Massachusetts is the third most populous state in the country, so the high rate of accidents likely has to do with heavy traffic congestion.
Maine
At 16.86 percent, Maine has the second highest percentage of drivers with prior at-fault accidents. Maine is not nearly as populous as Massachusetts, so these accidents are more likely related to their percentage of speeding violations (11.96%) and drivers with a prior DUI (2.67%), both of which are higher than Massachusetts.
Maryland
Like Massachusetts, Maryland had fairly low rates of prior speeding violations, DUIs, and reckless driving, but the state had the third highest rate of prior at-fault accidents (16.63%). As with many other Eastern states, this is likely the result of Maryland’s dense population.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island might be the smallest state, but it’s population density is the second highest in the country. And with 15.78% of drivers with prior at-fault accidents, it was ranked by Insurify as the fourth most dangerous states for car accidents.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a rural state that is not densely populated, but the state has 15.71% of drivers with prior at-fault accidents. It also has one of the higher number of drivers with prior reckless driving incidents: 30 out of 10,000.
South Carolina
In South Carolina 15.41% of drivers have a prior at-fault accident. Although the state has a low rate of DUIs, they do have higher rates of prior speeding violations (16.52%) and drivers with prior reckless driving incidents (35 out of 10,000).
Ohio
Ohio has the seventh highest rate of drivers with prior at-fault car accidents (15.17%). What is of particular concern is the state’s speeding violations. Ohio has the highest rate of drivers with prior speeding violations: 17.89%.
Nebraska
In Nebraska, 14.38% of drivers have a prior at-fault car accident. Even more notable, Nebraska exceeds the national average in all categories, including prior speeding violations, prior DUIs, and prior reckless driving incidents.
Utah
Utah drivers have relatively low incidents of DUIs and reckless driving, but 14.38% of drivers in the state have prior speeding violations, which likely contributes to its relatively high rate of prior at-fault car accidents (14.08%).
Oregon
Oregon rounds out the top 10 most dangerous states for car accidents. The state’s percentage of drivers with prior at-fault accidents (13.93%) and prior speeding violations (13.33%) are both above the national average.
What About Florida?
Although Florida does not rank as one of the 10 most dangerous according to these methods, drivers should still be cautious. According to the World Population Review, Florida had 2,915 fatal car accidents during 2018, making it the state with the third highest number of fatal car accidents. Given Florida’s population and the number of miles driven, the state still did not rank in the top five for accident fatality rates, but it is always important for drivers to take defensive measures to avoid a collision.
Contact Chanfrau & Chanfrau
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau can help you hold liable parties accountable for damages. To discuss your case with our legal team, send us a message online, or call our Daytona Beach law firm at (386) 258-7313.
