States With the Most Car Accident Deaths

In 2017, there were 37,133 fatal car accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA used the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, which contains data on all crashes that involved a vehicle and resulted in a death. 

While the U.S. population grew 7% from 2016 to 2017, the number of traffic fatalities decreased 2% that same period. In 2016, there were 37,461 fatal car accidents.

The cause of accidents included alcohol, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt. 

• 27 states had a decrease in traffic fatalities.
• 7 states had a decrease in traffic fatalities of 10% or more.
• 22 states had an increase in traffic fatalities.
• 8 states had an increase in traffic fatalities of 10% or more.
• California had the highest number of speeding-related car accident fatalities.
• 47% of passenger deaths were a result of being unrestrained.

States with the highest number of fatal car crashes

States with the least number of fatal car crashes

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List of car crash fatalities by state 

Texas, California and Florida round out the top three states with the most car accident-related deaths. These states are the largest in terms of population and licensed drivers. Despite topping the list, all three states had a decrease in the number of fatal car crashes in 2017 compared to 2016.

The list includes all 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

State Rank State Traffic Fatalities 1 Texas 3,722 2 California 3,602 3 Florida 3,112 4 Georgia 1,540 5 North Carolina 1,412 6 Ohio 1,179 7 Pennsylvania 1,137 8 Illinois 1,097 9 Tennessee 1,040 10 Michigan 1,030 11 Arizona 1,000 12 New York 999 13 South Carolina 988 14 Alabama 948 15 Missouri 930 16 Indiana 914 17 Virginia 839 18 Kentucky 782 19 Louisiana 760 20 Mississippi 690 21 Oklahoma 655 22 Colorado 648 23 New Jersey 624 24 Wisconsin 613 25 Washington 565 26 Maryland 550 27 Arkansas 493 28 Kansas 461 29 Oregon 437 30 New Mexico 379 31 Minnesota 357 32 Massachusetts 350 33 Iowa 330 34 Nevada 309 35 West Virginia 303 36 Puerto Rico 290 37 Connecticut 278 38 Utah 273 39 Idaho 244 40 Nebraska 228 41 Montana 186 42 Maine 172 43 South Dakota 129 44 Wyoming 123 45 Delaware 119 46 North Dakota 115 47 Hawaii 107 48 New Hampshire 102 49 Rhode Island 83 50 Alaska 79 51 Vermont 69 52 District of Columbia 31 U.S. Total37,133

Why you should be fully insured

How much auto insurance you need is determined by the state you live in. Even if you are not required to purchase coverage like comprehensive and collision, you could benefit from getting this additional coverage. A single car accidents or theft could result in a huge financial expense. With full coverage, your car insurance company may pay a large chunk, if not all, of the expenses related to the claim - minus your deductible. 

Compare auto insurance quotes to get the coverage you need at the lowest rate.