What State Has the Most Car Crashes?

Every day, thousands of people head out expecting a normal drive. For many, it is. But in parts of the country, roads carry more risk than most realize.

Some states experience more collisions, more injuries, and more families left to face difficult outcomes. Behind these car accident statistics are real intersections, long stretches of highway, and moments where there's no time to react.

So, what state has the most car accidents? One stands out year after year.

If you're facing a serious injury or loss after a wreck, Pierce Skrabanek car accident attorneys are here to talk through your case. Call (832) 690-7000 or contact us online to set up your free consultation.

What State Has the Most Car Crashes—and Why Is It Texas?

Texas reports more crashes and traffic-related deaths than any other state in the country. In 2022 alone, there were over 550,000 collisions on Texas roads. More than 4,000 of those crashes were fatal.

The size of the state plays a role, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Texas roadways are built for speed, not always safety. Highway corridors stretch across long distances with minimal lighting, narrow shoulders, and high volumes of fast-moving traffic, including commercial vehicles that weigh up to 40 tons.

A few major factors contribute to Texas's crash numbers:

• Speed limits reaching 85 mph in certain areas;
• A high number of teen, inexperienced, or unlicensed drivers;
• Long rural stretches with limited emergency access;
• Short merge zones, sudden exits, congested interchanges; and
• Distracted or fatigued drivers, particularly in trucking regions.

From Austin to Laredo, and across oilfield routes in West Texas, drivers face a steady pattern of risk—one that shows up in crash reports every year.

What State Has the Most Car Accidents Per Person?

Total volume tells part of the story, but some states see higher crash rates relative to population. Mississippi, South Carolina, and New Mexico report the most fatal crashes per 100,000 residents.

In these states, major risk factors include:

• Rural roads with fewer guardrails or lighting,
• Long distances from crash sites to trauma centers,
• Less consistent roadway maintenance or signage, and
• Delayed access to emergency medical services.

These risks can turn a survivable crash into a fatal one. And because rural infrastructure tends to see fewer updates over time, per capita crash rates remain high.

Top 10 States With the Most Car Accidents

Crash statistics change slightly year by year, but these states frequently appear at the top for overall crash volume and fatalities:

• Texas,
• California,
• Florida,
• Georgia,
• North Carolina,
• Illinois,
• Pennsylvania,
• Ohio,
• Tennessee, and
• South Carolina.

What connects them? High population centers, heavy commercial traffic, older infrastructure, and driving conditions that push people to rush or take chances. Even on your usual route, traffic can change fast due to a single negligent choice.

Statistics and reports on what state has the most car crashes don't tell the full story. Every case involves real people, serious injuries, and high-stakes decisions.

Pierce Skrabanek works with clients in those situations every day. Call (832) 690-7000 or send a message to start your free case review.

Commercial Trucks Add to the Risk

Large trucks play a significant role in Texas crashes, particularly in areas where freight routes and local vehicles share narrow roads. Trucks make frequent appearances in crash reports along I-45, U.S. 285, and routes crossing the Permian Basin.

Fatigue, mechanical failure, and delivery pressure are often contributing factors to these collisions. When an 80,000-pound vehicle hits a car at highway speeds, the injuries are almost always severe.

Common crash injuries include:

• Head and brain injuries,
• Multiple fractures,
• Spinal trauma,
• Internal bleeding, and
• Fatalities.

Truck-related crashes often necessitate more comprehensive investigations, not just into the driver's actions but also into company policies, hours-of-service violations, maintenance records, and road design.

What Drivers Can Do on the Road

No one can remove risk completely, but knowing where and how crashes happen gives you an edge. Be extra cautious on:

• I-35 through Austin and San Antonio,
• I-45 between Houston and Dallas,
• U.S. 285 and U.S. 83 in West and South Texas oil regions, and
• TX-130, the nation's fastest posted toll road.

Steps that help reduce crash risk:

• Slow down near on-ramps and exits,
• Don't drive while fatigued or distracted,
• Look twice when changing lanes, and
• Avoid driving at night on unfamiliar rural roads.

Most serious crash reports include preventable causes, such as failure to yield, excessive speed, or loss of focus behind the wheel.

What the Numbers Leave Out

Crash totals answer the question: what is the state with the most car crashes? But they don't show what happens after the cars are towed and the reports are filed.

They don't show:

• A parent having to leave work to drive their injured child to appointments,
• A retiree forced to move because they no longer feel safe driving in town, or
• A family trying to grieve while also dealing with insurance delays and unpaid bills.

Every crash leaves behind its own version of loss. And the physical, financial, and emotional costs last long after the road is clear.

How Pierce Skrabanek Can Help You After a Serious Car Accident

Texas stands at the top of national crash rankings:

• The most total collisions,
• The most fatal crashes, and
• More truck-related roadway deaths than almost any other state.

At Pierce Skrabanek, we've seen firsthand what those numbers mean for everyday Texans. We've represented survivors, families, and grieving loved ones after life-altering collisions. 

Whether you were hit on a crowded highway or a quiet road outside town, we'll guide you through the legal, financial, and emotional steps that follow a serious accident.

Call (832) 690-7000 or message us to request a free case review. For over 30 years, we've served clients across Texas, from Houston and San Antonio to Dallas-Fort Worth, the Rio Grande Valley, and every rural mile in between.