INDIANA – Experienced personal injury attorney John Foy has revealed which states have seen the highest increase in car crash fatalities. The study analyzed the rate of car crash fatalities from 2012 to 2021 to find the overall percentage increase in deaths.
Indiana ranks as the second-highest increase in the last ten years.
1. Oregon – 62.48% increase
First on the list is Oregon, which has seen a 62.48% increase in car crash fatalities over the past ten years. In 2012, people died in vehicle crashes at a rate of 12.17 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the 12th lowest rate in the US during that year.
In 2021, the rate of car crash fatalities was 19.77 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the highest rate of car crash deaths in Oregon over the ten years, and the biggest increase from 2012 to 2021 out of all 50 states.
2. Indiana – 38.38% increase
Indiana is second on the list, with an increase of 38.38% in car crash fatalities. In 2012, people died in car crashes at a rate of 14.53 per 100,000 licensed drives, the US’ 20th lowest rate in 2012.
The state’s highest rate of car crash deaths came in 2017, where there were 20.12 per 100,000 licensed drivers. In 2021, the rate of car crash fatalities was 20.10 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the second highest rate over the ten year period in Indiana and the 22nd highest in the US.
3. Illinois – 37.39% increase
Third on the list is Illinois, with an increase of 37.39% in car crash fatalities over the past ten years. In 2012, people died in car crashes at a rate of 11.61 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the country’s ninth lowest rate in 2012.
Illinois’ highest rate of car crash fatalities came in 2021, when the rate was 15.95 per 100,000 licensed drivers. Despite this being the highest rate in Illinois, it only ranked as the 29th highest compared to other US states.
4. Washington – 36.27% increase
Washington is fourth on the list, with an increase of 36.27% in car crash deaths over the past ten years. In 2012, people died in car crashes at a rate of 8.38 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the second lowest in the US.
The state’s highest rate of car crash fatalities came in 2021, where the rate was 11.42 per 100,000 licensed drivers. Even though this was the state’s highest, it ranked seventh lowest compared with the rest of the states in 2021.
5. Florida – 32.26% increase
Florida is fifth on the list, with a 32.26% increase in car crash fatalities over the past ten years. In 2012, people died in car crashes at a rate of 17.49 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the 20th highest in the US.
Florida’s highest rate of car crash deaths came in 2021, when the rate was 23.15 per 100,000 licensed drivers. This was also the 16th highest rate of car crash deaths in the US in 2021.
6. Georgia – 29.46% increase
Sixth on the list is Georgia, with an overall increase of 29.46% in car crash deaths over ten years. In 2012, people died in car crashes at a rate of 18.11 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the 19th highest in the US in 2012.
In 2021, car crash fatalities were 23.45 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the highest rate of car crash deaths in Georgia over ten years. This rate is also the 15th highest rate of deaths compared to other US states.
7. California – 28.96% increase
California is seventh on the list, with an overall increase of 28.96% in car crash fatalities over ten years. In 2012, people died in car crashes at a rate of 12.26 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the 13th lowest in the US in 2012.
California’s highest rate of car crash fatalities came in 2021, where the rate was 15.80 per 100,000 licensed drivers. This was the 21st lowest rate of car crash deaths compared with other US states.
8. Mississippi – 27.77% increase
Mississippi is eighth on the list, with an increase of 27.77% in car crash deaths. In 2012, the car crash fatality rate was 29.72 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the second highest in the US.
The state’s highest rate of car crash deaths came in 2021, where the rate was 37.98 per 100,000 licensed drivers. This rate was also the country’s highest in 2021.
9. New Mexico – 27.26% increase
Ninth on the list is New Mexico, with an overall increase of 27.26% in car crash deaths. In 2012, the car crash fatality rate was 25.59, the seventh highest in the US that year.
New Mexico’s highest rate of car crash deaths came in 2021, with 32.56 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the country’s second highest rate in 2021.
10. Colorado – 25.82% increase
Colorado is last on the list, with an overall increase of 25.82% in car crash fatalities. In 2012, the car crash death rate was 12.45 per 100,000 licensed drivers, the 14th lowest rate in the US that year.
In 2021, the car crash fatality rate was 15.66; this was Colorado’s highest death rate and the US’ 19th lowest fatality rate.
The biggest increase in car crash fatalities
| Rank | State | % Change |
| 1. | Oregon | 62.48 |
| 2. | Indiana | 38.38 |
| 3. | Illinois | 37.39 |
| 4. | Washington | 36.27 |
| 5. | Florida | 32.36 |
| 6. | Georgia | 29.46 |
| 7. | California | 28.96 |
| 8. | Mississippi | 27.77 |
| 9. | New Mexico | 27.26 |
| 10. | Colorado | 25.82 |
John Foy commented: “Over the past decade, people might imagine that driving has become safer, thanks to newer cars with better technology and higher safety standards, however this data shows that isn’t the case. Comparing the fatal crash rate per 100,000 licensed drivers in 2012 to 2021 reveals there are only 14 states where it has decreased.
“There are many reasons as to why car crashes happen, whether that be the fault of an individual or weather conditions, but this analysis demonstrates that it is still absolutely essential for people to drive carefully, no matter where they are.”
