Every year, thousands of people die in traffic accidents. In 2019, there were 33,244 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States, which resulted in 36,096 deaths. Learning how to drive safely and defensively can help reduce the chances of being involved in a motor vehicle accident, as can taking proper safety precautions like wearing a seatbelt. But it’s also interesting to see what the statistics are based on the vehicle you drive: Which car is most likely to get in an accident?
The TitleMax research team looked at accident data from 2016-20 provided by the National Highway Safety Administration to determine which vehicle makes and models were involved in the most fatal accidents in the United States.
Vehicles in the Most Fatal Car Crashes
These are the top 10 vehicles involved in the most fatal vehicle accidents between 2016 and 2020:
- Chevrolet Silverado: 8,777 accidents
- Ford F-150: 7,502 accidents
- Honda Accord: 5,368 accidents
- Toyota Camry: 5,023 accidents
- Dodge Ram: 4,666 accidents
- Honda Civic: 4,648 accidents
- Nissan Altima: 3,746 accidents
- Toyota Corolla: 3,641 accidents
- GMC Sierra: 3,567 accidents
- Ford Explorer: 3,139 accidents
The Chevrolet Silverado is the vehicle most likely to get into an accident. Between 2016 and 2020, it was involved in 8,777 fatal road accidents. The Silverado is also the second most-popular car in America. The Ford F-150, the best-selling car in America, came in second place with 7,502 fatal accidents. Check out the full list below:
The 25 Vehicles That Have Been Involved in the Most Fatal Car Accidents
| Rank | Car | Total |
| 1 | Chevrolet Silverado | 8,777 |
| 2 | Ford F-150 | 7,502 |
| 3 | Honda Accord | 5,368 |
| 4 | Toyota Camry | 5,023 |
| 5 | Dodge Ram | 4,666 |
| 6 | Honda Civic | 4,648 |
| 7 | Nissan Altima | 3,746 |
| 8 | Toyota Corolla | 3,641 |
| 9 | GMC Sierra | 3,567 |
| 10 | Ford Explorer | 3,139 |
| 11 | Ford F-250 | 2,859 |
| 12 | Chevrolet Impala | 2,765 |
| 13 | Freightliner Cascadia | 2,666 |
| 14 | Chevrolet Malibu | 2,548 |
| 15 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2,424 |
| 16 | Ford Focus | 2,318 |
| 17 | Ford Ranger | 2,258 |
| 18 | Chevrolet Tahoe | 2,226 |
| 19 | Toyota Tacoma | 1,984 |
| 20 | Ford Escape | 1,953 |
| 21 | Ford Fusion | 1,931 |
| 22 | Ford Mustang | 1,925 |
| 23 | Honda CR-V | 1,867 |
| 24 | Nissan Sentra | 1,833 |
| 25 | Hyundai Elantra | 1,808 |
Top Vehicles Involved in the Most Fatal Accidents in Each U.S. State
| State | Vehicle |
| Alabama | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Alaska | Dodge Ram |
| Arizona | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Arkansas | Chevrolet Silverado |
| California | Honda Civic |
| Colorado | Ford F-150 |
| Connecticut | Honda Accord |
| Delaware | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Florida | Ford F-150 |
| Georgia | Ford F-150 |
| Hawaii | Toyota Tacoma |
| Idaho | Dodge Ram |
| Illinois | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Indiana | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Iowa | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Kansas | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Kentucky | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Louisiana | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Maine | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Maryland | Honda Accord |
| Massachusetts | Toyota Camry |
| Michigan | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Minnesota | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Mississippi | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Missouri | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Montana | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Nebraska | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Nevada | Ford F-150 |
| New Hampshire | Chevrolet Silverado |
| New Jersey | Honda Accord |
| New Mexico | Chevrolet Silverado |
| New York | Honda Accord |
| North Carolina | Honda Accord |
| North Dakota | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Ohio | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Oklahoma | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Oregon | Dodge Ram |
| Pennsylvania | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Rhode Island | Honda Accord |
| South Carolina | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
| South Dakota | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Tennessee | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Texas | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Utah | Ford F150 |
| Vermont | Honda Civic |
| Virginia | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Washington | Chevrolet Silverado |
| West Virginia | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Wisconsin | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Wyoming | Dodge Ram |
How to Protect Yourself From Car Crashes
Unfortunately, car accidents are a risk any time drivers or passengers get on the road. Most accidents occur within 25 miles of home. But there are several things people can do to help reduce their chances of getting involved in a motor vehicle accident.
- Wear a seatbelt. Everyone in a vehicle should wear a seatbelt at all times. Research has shown that wearing a seatbelt can reduce the risk of death by 45% for drivers and front-seat passengers.
- Keep your distance while driving. Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of accidents. Drivers should stay three seconds behind the vehicle in front of them and leave even more space if driving in inclement weather.
- Stay alert. While driving, don’t get distracted by eating, texting, or talking on the phone. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents.
- Don’t drive while impaired. Drivers should not get behind the wheel when they are tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This can lead to driving errors and slower reaction times.
- Follow the speed limit. Speed limits are in place for a reason. Always follow the posted speed limit to ensure that you have enough time to react to other vehicles or pedestrians you may encounter on the road.
- Obey the rules of the road. Always come to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights. Look both ways to ensure that the road is clear before driving.
If you do get into a motor vehicle accident, contact your insurance company. It may also be helpful to get a car title loan or personal loan to pay for any necessary repairs.