A new nationwide traffic safety analysis by personal injury law firm Injured In Florida has found that Nebraska has the highest percentage of fatal crashes involving multiple vehicles in the United States. According to the study, more than half (52.22%) of all fatal crashes in Nebraska between 2018 and 2022 involved more than one vehicle, significantly above the national average of 43.17%.
Using federal crash data, the study evaluated how frequently fatal crashes involved two or more vehicles across all 50 states. While Nebraska topped the list, several other states showed similar trends.
Top 5 States for Multiple-Vehicle Fatal Crashes (% of all fatal crashes):
- Nebraska – 52.22%
- Delaware – 47.93%
- Indiana – 46.85%
- Michigan – 46.63%
- Oklahoma – 46.45%
In Nebraska alone, there were 1,036 total fatal crashes over the five years. Of those, 462 involved two vehicles, while 79 involved more than two. The trend suggests a need for increased awareness and potentially stronger safety measures on Nebraska roads.
Meanwhile, Montana ranked lowest in the nation, with just 28.09% of its fatal crashes involving multiple vehicles, well below the national average. The bottom five states in the ranking include several with more rural infrastructure and lower traffic density, which may contribute to fewer multi-car collisions.
Bottom 5 States:
- Wyoming – 37.18%
- Hawaii – 35.34%
- Rhode Island – 34.15%
- Maine – 34.11%
- Montana – 28.09%
Nationwide Findings:
Across the United States, an average of 43.17% of all fatal crashes between 2018 and 2022 involved multiple vehicles. States with higher traffic volumes, dense highways, and more urban development were more likely to have a higher proportion of multi-vehicle crashes.
Expert Commentary:
A spokesperson for Injured In Florida commented:
“Identifying which states experience the most multi-vehicle fatal crashes allows policymakers and safety advocates to better target areas for road improvements and public awareness. Factors such as traffic congestion, infrastructure, and driver behavior all play a critical role. Simple steps like maintaining safe following distances and avoiding distractions can go a long way in preventing these tragedies.”
About the Study:
The analysis was based on publicly available traffic fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) between 2018 and 2022. The study broke down single-vehicle, two-vehicle, and multi-vehicle fatal crashes across all 50 states.
Conclusion:
This research brings much-needed attention to multi-vehicle crash risks, especially in states with high traffic density and fast-growing road networks. As traffic volumes continue to climb nationwide, road safety efforts, particularly in high-risk states like Nebraska, Delaware, and Indiana, are more important than ever.
