Driving is a deceptively mundane everyday activity. While most of us prefer not to dwell on the dangers of commanding a literal ton of glass, metal and highly flammable fuel at high speeds, the chances of disaster striking are greater than we realize. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 42,939 drivers lost their lives on roads across the nation in 2021.
But not all traffic deaths are created equally. The data shows clear trends: Drivers are more at risk in some states than others. One such state is our own, West Virginia.
West Virginia Car Accident Statistics
According to a study of more than ten years of NHTSA crash data, West Virginia has the seventh-highest percentage of driver deaths compared to its population in the United States.
The study found that there were 102.61 driver deaths per 100,000 people and 1,853 total deaths, making the fatality rate in West Virginia 93% higher than the national average. Deaths in this state peaked in 2011 when 225 deaths occurred. The good news is that they have steadily declined every year since then.
What State Is The Deadliest For Drivers?
The research revealed that Mississippi is the most dangerous state to drive in. Between 2010 and 2019, 4,052 people died in car accidents in this state. That translates to 136.7 fatalities for every 100,000 people. This was the highest death rate in the entire nation and a whopping 157% higher than the national average. Those numbers remained consistent throughout the 10-year duration of the study.
Even though Mississippi’s figures only account for 2.3% of the country’s total traffic deaths, their death rate is the highest compared to their population. Driver fatalities account for 63% of overall traffic deaths, the highest percentage of any other state.
Though drivers in some states are more at risk than others, danger on the road is a permanent state of affairs anywhere. Those who get hurt in car accidents could benefit from consulting an experienced personal injury attorney to explore legal options that could aid their recovery.