- Wyoming has the highest tire-related fatal crash rate in the U.S., with 6.55 cases per million residents.
- Montana (second) and Louisiana (third) reported 5.62 and 4.50 tire-related fatal crashes per million residents, respectively.
- Rhode Island reported a tire-related fatal crash rate of 0.18 per million residents, the lowest among all the states analyzed.
A new study reveals that Wyoming has the highest rate of tire-related fatal crashes in the United States.
The research by the Las Vegas-based personal injury law firm Shook & Stone analyzed the data for tire-related fatal crashes from 2019 to 2023 for U.S. states via the NHTSA database. Average tire-related fatal crash rates per million residents were calculated to identify the states where American drivers are most at risk of experiencing tire-related fatalities.
Wyoming leads the nation in tire-related fatal crashes, with 6.55 cases per million residents. That’s 228% higher than the national average of 2 cases per million residents. From 2019 to 2023, the state averaged 3.8 tire-related fatal crashes per year among its population of approximately 580,133. The year 2019 was the worst, with six cases, while 2020 recorded the fewest (two).
Montana ranks second with 5.62 cases per million residents, 181% higher than the national average of 2. From 2019 to 2023, the state, home to nearly 1.1 million residents, experienced an average of 6.2 tire-related fatal crashes annually. It recorded the highest number of cases (eight) in 2021 and 2023; the lowest (three) was in 2020.
Louisiana ranks third with 4.50 cases per million residents. That’s about 125% higher than the national average of 2. With a population of approximately 4.6 million, the state saw an average of 20.8 tire-related fatal crashes yearly. The year 2020 documented 34 cases, while 2023 had only 14.
Looking at the study, a spokesperson at Shook & Stone commented:
“The study highlights that states such as Wyoming, Montana, and Louisiana reported some of America’s highest tire-related fatal crash rates.
“These high rates of tire-related fatal crashes put both drivers and communities at significant risk. Such incidents often cause devastating consequences for families and strain emergency response resources.
“To reduce these incidents, state leaders and policymakers can implement enhanced public awareness campaigns about tire safety, improved vehicle inspection programs, and better road maintenance. Addressing underlying issues such as extreme weather conditions, rough road surfaces, and driver education about proper tire maintenance could also help mitigate tire-related fatal crash rates across these states.”
New Mexico ranks fourth with 4.07 tire-related fatal crashes per million residents, surpassing the national average of 2 by about 104%. With a population of approximately 2.1 million, the state reported an annual average of 8.6 tire-related fatal crashes during 2019-2023. The highest number of cases (11) was recorded in 2021, while 2020 experienced the lowest (six).
North Carolina ranks fifth with 3.98 cases per million residents, 99% higher than the national average of 2. The state’s 10.6 million residents experienced an average of 42.2 tire-related fatal crashes yearly. 2020 was the worst year, with 55 cases, while 2023 had 34 cases.
Maine (6th) documented 3.35 tire-related fatal crashes per million residents, followed by South Dakota (7th) at 3.34 cases per million residents, Alaska (8th) at 3.27 cases per million residents, Arkansas (9th) at 3.16 cases per million residents, and Vermont (10th) at 3.12 cases per million residents.
Table for Extended Results:
| Top 10 U.S. States With the Highest Rate of Tire-Related Fatal Crashes | ||
| State | Tire-Related Fatal Crashes per Million Residents | Rank |
| Wyoming | 6.55 | 1 |
| Montana | 5.62 | 2 |
| Louisiana | 4.50 | 3 |
| New Mexico | 4.07 | 4 |
| North Carolina | 3.98 | 5 |
| Maine | 3.35 | 6 |
| South Dakota | 3.34 | 7 |
| Alaska | 3.27 | 8 |
| Arkansas | 3.16 | 9 |
| Vermont | 3.12 | 10 |
The study was conducted by Shook & Stone, a law firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured and disabled individuals, ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve while providing compassionate, personalized legal representation.
ENDS
P.S. If using this story, please credit and link to www.shookandstone.com/
Methodology
The research analyzed the data for U.S. state tire-related fatal crashes from 2019 to 2023 via the NHTSA database. Average tire-related fatal crash rates per million residents were calculated to identify the states where American drivers are most at risk of experiencing tire-related fatalities.
Data Sources
- Tire-Related Fatal Crash Source: https://cdan.dot.gov/query
- Research Dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TsSJOgDnL_IIm36RXOvoo8ZsiWh0XAY7d7oGjBzU5QA/edit?gid=1018671534#gid=1018671534
- Research by: www.shookandstone.com/
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