New ranking reveals which states have the deadliest taste in cars – how does yours fare?

• A new ranking has revealed which states favor cars with a high accident fatality rate – with Arkansas’ top-seller proving the deadliestThe ranking analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data to identify which cars report the highest proportion of deaths per crash Of the top-selling models in each state, Georgia’s favorite – the  Ford F-150 – has one of the highest likelihoods of injuries proving fatal after a collision A personal injury expert encourages drivers to get their car ready for snowy weather by conducting regular maintenance checks and addressing issues 

A new ranking has revealed which state had the worst taste in cars over the last year, based on which models prove the safest in a collision – with Arkansas placing at the top. 

The ranking, created by personal injury attorneys John Foy, analyzed the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to identify which car models reported the highest likelihood of fatal injuries in the event of a collision over the last year. 

These findings were then compared with new car sales to identify which model proves the most popular in each state before assigning a crash ‘death risk rate’ to each.

Crash injuries can prove fatal for a variety of reasons, including the impact severity, a lack of prompt medical care, and the use of safety restraints. They may also be due to faults in a car’s design, such as design flaws that compromise durability or damaged safety equipment. 

And it turns out drivers in Arkansas should be particularly cautious, as their favorite car – the GMC Sierra 1500, is one of the nation’s top three models with the highest death risk, with 1.44% of crash injuries proving fatal. The national average death risk rate is 0.78%. 

Also among the states with the deadliest taste are South Carolina, Florida, and Massachusetts, as they favored the Toyota RAV4 last year. This model is a third (37%) deadlier than the national average, with a death risk of 1.07% in the event of a crash. 

Despite all three states preferring the same car, some drivers will need to be more wary than others due to the prevalence of the model on the roads – with the Toyota RAV4 accounting for 3.5% of new car sales in South Carolina, compared to 3.2% in Massachusetts.

Also at risk are drivers in West Virginia, Missouri, Indiana, and Delaware, as they favor the Chevy Silverado 1500, which carries a marginally lower death risk of 1.06%. 

The Chevy Silverado 1500 accounted for 4.3% of new car sales in West Virginia compared to just 2.8% in Delaware, meaning more drivers in The Mountain State made a risky decision at the dealership, leaving themselves vulnerable in the event of a crash. 

Top ten states with the deadliest taste in cars 

On the other end of the scale, the state that favors the least-risky new model is Rhode Island, as most new sales (4.1%) were for the Toyota Highlander, which has a death risk of just 0.20% in the event of a crash, which is 74% lower than the national average. 

Drivers shopping for a new car in Alaska, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada are also comparatively better off. They prefer the Ram 1500, which carries a 42% lower death risk than the national average, with 0.45% of crash injuries proving fatal. 

However, those in Alaska should be careful, given the model is still dangerous, as the Ram 1500 accounted for 7% of new vehicle sales last year – compared to just 2.8% in Nevada. 

For drivers considering purchasing a second-hand car or prefer an alternative model to the state’s favorite, knowing which carries the highest death risk nationwide is important.  

The analysis reveals that – of the models with NHTSA findings reported – the deadliest car in the US overall is the Chevrolet Impala, as 1.84% of injuries sustained in a crash prove fatal (136% higher than the national average). The second-deadliest model is the Ford Escape, with a crash-death risk of 1.55%.

The ten deadliest car models in the US 

It’s essential that drivers prioritize checking the safety of their vehicle this time of year, as car accidents tend to increase during winter due to factors like harsh weather conditions, decreased daylight, cold weather affecting vehicle performance, and more traffic congestion.

Speaking on the findings, a spokesperson from John Foy & Associates said: “With winter often carrying an increased risk of being involved in a crash, it’s important that drivers take the time to check their vehicle’s safety before taking to the road – especially key things like airbags, seat belts, and brakes – otherwise an accident could prove deadly.

“If you’re situated in a state that requires a mandated winter driving check, please don’t put this off – and even if you’re not in one of these areas, we recommend a professional inspection to check your car is equipped to drive in snow, ice, and cold temperatures.”

Data is gathered from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the US Department of Transportation, looking at the proportion of passengers and drivers whose crash injuries were reported as fatal, split by model and manufacturer. Raw data is available on request, while the model data is included below. Other sources include sales data as reported here.