Over half of fatal crashes in the state involve more than one vehicle, according to new research.
A new study by personal injury law firm Injured In Florida has revealed that Nebraska has the highest rate of multiple-vehicle fatal crashes in the United States. Between 2018 and 2022, 52.22% of fatal crashes in Nebraska involved more than one vehicle — significantly above the national average of 43.17%.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Montana ranks last, with just 28.09% of fatal crashes involving multiple vehicles.
Top 5 States with the Highest Rates of Multi-Vehicle Fatal Crashes
1. Nebraska – 52.22%
Nebraska recorded 1,036 fatal crashes over five years. Of these, 462 involved two vehicles, and 79 involved more than two. With more than half of fatal crashes involving multiple cars, Nebraska stands out as the most dangerous state for multi-vehicle collisions. Nebraska voted Republican in the 2020 election.
2. Delaware – 47.93%
Delaware saw 605 fatal crashes, with 250 involving two vehicles and 40 involving more than two. The state’s compact road networks and high traffic density may be contributing factors. Delaware voted Democrat in 2020.
3. Indiana – 46.85%
Indiana reported 4,090 fatal crashes, with 1,587 involving two vehicles and 329 involving three or more. Indiana voted Republican in 2020.
4. Michigan – 46.63%
Out of 4,950 fatal crashes, Michigan recorded 1,936 involving two vehicles and 372 with more than two. Michigan voted Democrat in the last election.
5. Oklahoma – 46.45%
Oklahoma saw 3,111 fatal crashes, of which 1,216 involved two vehicles and 229 involved more than two. Oklahoma voted Republican in 2020.
| Rank | State | % of Fatal Crashes Involving Multiple Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska | 52.22% |
| 2 | Delaware | 47.93% |
| 3 | Indiana | 46.85% |
| 4 | Michigan | 46.63% |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 46.45% |
Bottom 5 States with the Lowest Rates of Multi-Vehicle Fatal Crashes
46. Wyoming – 37.18%
Wyoming recorded 554 fatal crashes, with only 206 involving more than one vehicle. Sparse traffic and long rural highways likely contribute to fewer multi-vehicle collisions. Wyoming voted Republican in 2020.
47. Hawaii – 35.34%
Of 498 fatal crashes in Hawaii, only 176 involved more than one vehicle. Hawaii voted Democrat in 2020.
48. Rhode Island – 34.15%
Rhode Island saw 287 total fatal crashes, with just 98 involving multiple vehicles. Rhode Island voted Democrat.
49. Maine – 34.11%
Maine reported 727 fatal crashes, with 248 involving more than one vehicle. The state voted Democrat in 2020.
50. Montana – 28.09%
Montana had 929 fatal crashes, but only 261 involved two or more vehicles. Montana voted Republican in 2020.
| Rank | State | % of Fatal Crashes Involving Multiple Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | Wyoming | 37.18% |
| 47 | Hawaii | 35.34% |
| 48 | Rhode Island | 34.15% |
| 49 | Maine | 34.11% |
| 50 | Montana | 28.09% |
National Trends and Traffic Insights
Nationwide, over 43% of fatal crashes involved more than one vehicle during the five-year period studied. States with higher rates tend to have busier urban centers, congested highways, or high-speed rural roads that increase the likelihood of chain-reaction collisions.
Expert Commentary
A spokesperson from Injured In Florida shared insights on the findings:
“Identifying states with the highest rates of multiple-vehicle fatal crashes helps highlight areas where safety improvements are crucial. Factors such as traffic volume, driver behavior, and road conditions play significant roles. Drivers should always stay alert, maintain safe distances, and be cautious — especially on high-traffic roads — to help prevent these tragic incidents.”
Conclusion
This new study underscores the need for ongoing road safety improvements, particularly in states where multi-vehicle crashes are more common. By understanding where these incidents are most prevalent, policymakers, traffic engineers, and public safety officials can better allocate resources to reduce the frequency and severity of fatal crashes.
Methodology
Fatal crash data was sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), covering 2018–2022. The study calculated the percentage of fatal crashes in each state involving at least two and at least three vehicles, summing these to identify the total share of multi-vehicle fatal crashes per state.
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