A recent study from Shane Smith Law has revealed Mississippi as the state with the highest rate of uninsured drivers involved in fatal crashes, underscoring the risks faced by motorists when uninsured driving collides with deadly accidents.
The analysis, which examined federal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) alongside U.S. Census Bureau figures, shows clear patterns between uninsured populations and fatal crash statistics across the nation.
Mississippi Leads the Nation
Mississippi recorded 69 estimated uninsured drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2023, equal to 24 per million residents. That’s the highest rate in the country.
Despite having a smaller uninsured percentage than states like Texas, Mississippi still ranks eighth for overall uninsured drivers, with 10.3% of its residents lacking coverage.
Wyoming and Texas Follow Closely
Wyoming placed second with 22 uninsured drivers in fatal crashes per million residents, while Texas ranked third with 21 per million.
What makes Texas stand out is scale. The state recorded 635 estimated uninsured drivers in fatal crashes — the largest raw number in the nation — and also has the highest percentage of uninsured residents at 16.4%.
Other High-Risk States
- Oklahoma (11.4% uninsured) and New Mexico (9.1% uninsured) tied for fourth place with 18 uninsured drivers in fatal crashes per million residents.
- South Carolina, Arizona, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Georgia also ranked among the top ten states with the highest per capita rates.
These states consistently show how higher uninsured populations translate to greater risks on the road.
Lowest-Risk States Show Strong Insurance Compliance
On the other end of the spectrum, states with strong enforcement and low uninsured rates recorded minimal involvement of uninsured drivers in fatal crashes.
- Massachusetts ranked best, with only 1 uninsured driver involved in fatal crashes per million residents. Just 2.6% of its residents lack insurance, the lowest figure in the country.
- Hawaii came second-lowest with 2 uninsured drivers per million residents, followed by New York, Minnesota, and Rhode Island, each at 3 per million.
Top 5 States for Uninsured Drivers in Fatal Crashes (per million residents)
- Mississippi – 24 (10.3% uninsured)
- Wyoming – 22 (10.7% uninsured)
- Texas – 21 (16.4% uninsured)
- Oklahoma – 18 (11.4% uninsured)
- New Mexico – 18 (9.1% uninsured)
Bottom 5 States for Uninsured Drivers in Fatal Crashes (per million residents)
- Massachusetts – 1 (2.6% uninsured)
- Hawaii – 2 (3.2% uninsured)
- New York – 3 (4.8% uninsured)
- Minnesota – 3 (4.2% uninsured)
- Rhode Island – 3 (4.5% uninsured)
Expert Insights
A spokesperson for Shane Smith Law noted:
“These statistics show a clear correlation between uninsured populations and the number of fatal crashes involving uninsured drivers. This is a serious problem for accident victims, who often struggle to recover compensation when the at-fault driver is uninsured. Stronger enforcement of insurance requirements could reduce these risks and improve safety for all road users.”
Why This Matters
The presence of uninsured drivers in fatal crashes creates unique challenges:
- Financial burdens on victims: Without insurance, injured parties may need to rely on their own uninsured motorist coverage or lengthy legal battles for compensation.
- Regional disparities: Southern and western states dominate the top of the rankings, while northeastern states with stricter enforcement consistently show lower risks.
- Policy implications: Expanding affordable insurance access and increasing enforcement could lower both uninsured populations and deadly crash involvement.
Methodology
Researchers analyzed U.S. Census Bureau data on uninsured residents in each state and compared it to NHTSA crash data. The study calculated the number of uninsured drivers involved in fatal crashes per million residents to standardize comparisons across states.
