Interactive: States with the most motor vehicle deaths
Accidents happen, but the number of occurrences vary across the country. Some accidents are mere fender benders, ones that don't leave a scratch on the paint. Others can have catastrophic ends, resulting in disability and death.
In 2013, 32,719 people died in motor vehicle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Looking at accidents by state, data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute show how frequency of motor vehicle deaths ranges across the country.
Regions in the North and South experience more motor vehicle deaths than the West and Northeast. The District of Columbia had the fewest car accident deaths in 2013 at 20, equating to 3.1 deaths per 100,000 people. Texas had the most deaths that year, at 3,044; however, the risk of an accident was greatest in Montana where 22.6 fatal accidents occurred per 100,000 people.
According to the data, these are the states with the most motor vehicle deaths per 100,000 people.
#10. Tennessee
Fatal Crashes in 2013: 911
Deaths in 2013: 995
Deaths per 100K people: 15.3
Deaths per 100M vehicle miles traveled 1.41
#9. South Dakota
Fatal Crashes in 2013: 121
Deaths in 2013: 135
Deaths per 100K people: 16
Deaths per 100M vehicle miles traveled 1.5
#8. South Carolina
Fatal Crashes in 2013: 719
Deaths in 2013: 767
Deaths per 100K people: 16.1
Deaths per 100M vehicle miles traveled 1.57
#7. Arkansas
Fatal Crashes in 2013: 446
Deaths in 2013: 483
Deaths per 100K people: 16.3
Deaths per 100M vehicle miles traveled 1.47
#6. Alabama
Fatal Crashes in 2013: 766
Deaths in 2013: 852
Deaths per 100K people: 17.6
Deaths per 100M vehicle miles traveled 1.31
#5. Oklahoma
Fatal Crashes in 2013: 621
Deaths in 2013: 678
Deaths per 100K people: 17.6
Deaths per 100M vehicle miles traveled 1.43
#4. West Virginia
Fatal Crashes in 2013: 305
Deaths in 2013: 332
Deaths per 100K people: 17.9
Deaths per 100M vehicle miles traveled 1.75
#3. Mississippi
Fatal Crashes in 2013: 558
Deaths in 2013: 613
Deaths per 100K people: 20.5
Deaths per 100M vehicle miles traveled 1.58
#2. North Dakota
Fatal Crashes in 2013: 133
Deaths in 2013: 148
Deaths per 100K people: 20.5
Deaths per 100M vehicle miles traveled 1.62
#1. Montana
Fatal Crashes in 2013: 203
Deaths in 2013: 229
Deaths per 100K people: 22.6
Deaths per 100M vehicle miles traveled 1.96
This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Interactive: States with the most motor vehicle deaths."