Car Accident Statistics in Mississippi

The State of Mississippi ranks among the most dangerous states in the nation for serious car accidents. 

The most recent crash statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that Mississippi had the highest fatality rate per population and per number of licensed drivers in the nation. Mississippi’s fatality rate of 26.17 fatalities per 100,000 people was more than double the national average. Many of these car accidents were preventable and were caused by factors such as speeding, inattention, and drunk driving.

The Mississippi car accident attorneys of Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC have seen the heartache and life-altering consequences that serious motor vehicle accidents can cause. Our Gulfport car accident lawyers represent accident victims who have been seriously injured in auto accidents. We also handle wrongful death claims on behalf of families who have lost loved ones. Our seasoned attorneys help those harmed pursue personal injury claims and demand financial compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other losses incurred due to the negligence of others. Contact us today at (228) 872-8752 for a free consultation to review your car accident claim and discuss your legal rights.

Top Reasons for Car Accidents

Car crashes happen for many reasons in Gulfport and elsewhere along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Our car accident investigations and various statistics indicate that some of the most common contributing factors to car accidents in Mississippi include:

• Speeding – Exceeding the speed limit increases the distance a driver needs to stop safely and reduces the amount of time to react to avoid a crash. Excessive speed increases the risk of car accidents as well as their severity. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MS DPS) says there were 122 car accident fatalities caused by speeding in the state in 2021. There were 2,649 injuries in accidents involving speeding vehicles.

• Drunk Driving – Alcohol impairs thinking, vision, reaction time, and muscle coordination, which are all essential for safe driving. Drunk drivers are slower to recognize and respond to accident situations. The MS DPS says there were 155 drunk driving fatalities in the state in 2021 and 305 injuries due to alcohol-involved car accidents.

• Distracted Driving – Any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the task of driving, such as texting, talking on a mobile phone, eating while driving, or talking with other passengers in the car can create driver distraction leading to an accident. The Zebra reported that drivers from Mississippi admitted to more time on the phone while behind the wheel (8% of driving time) than drivers from any other state.

• Reckless Driving – Aggressive driving includes unsafe lane changes, tailgating, passing in no-passing zones, and disregarding traffic signs. These dangerous behaviors significantly increase the risk of accidents. 
• Running Red Lights and Stop Signs – Disobeying traffic signals or signs often leads to dangerous intersection accidents such as T-bone collisions.
• Fatigued Driving – Drowsy driving is comparable to driving under the influence of alcohol because driver fatigue impairs awareness, judgment, and reaction time. Drowsy drivers are at risk of falling asleep and drifting across the center line on rural roads, increasing the chances of a head-on collision.
• Inexperienced Drivers – Newly licensed drivers are more likely to make mistakes and fail to recognize accident situations, leading to preventable crashes.
• Defective Vehicles – Sometimes, accidents are caused by defects in the car itself, such as brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering or suspension failures. If a manufacturer or retailer sells defective parts, they may be held liable. 
• Poor Road Conditions – Potholes, lack of proper signage, and road design issues can contribute to car accidents, especially if drivers are not paying attention. In such cases, a local government and/or road contractors may be held accountable.

An experienced Gulfport car accident attorney can investigate the cause of the motor vehicle collision, identify the responsible parties, and negotiate with the insurance company for a reasonable settlement. If the insurance provider refuses to offer fair compensation to resolve a car accident case, our legal team will be prepared to file a car accident lawsuit and present your case in court.

The sooner you contact a car accident lawyer after an auto accident, the more opportunity our law firm will have to gather witness statements, preserve evidence, and develop a car accident case. Let our Gulfport car accident lawyers help you evaluate your legal options to hold the at-fault driver accountable.

When Do Most Car Accidents Occur?

The National Safety Council says that in a recent year, fatal car crashes were more frequent on weekends and peaked on Saturdays. Crashes on weekdays tended to be nonfatal, with more occurring on Fridays.

The peak time of day for both fatal and nonfatal accidents was between 4 and 8 p.m.

The number of monthly traffic deaths was lowest from January through March and remained elevated from May through October.

Looking at the death rate per 100 million vehicle miles, the lowest rate occurred in March and peaked in October. The mileage death rate helps correct for the variation in monthly mileage and is a more accurate measure of risk when comparing trends.

In Mississippi, the state Department of Public Safety says the three months in 2021 with the highest number of traffic fatalities were:

• January – 73
• May – 71
• September – 72.

Mississippi car accident statistics for 2021 show that the number of fatal accidents tends to increase as the work week goes on:

• Monday – 84
• Tuesday – 91
• Wednesday – 102
• Thursday – 119
• Friday – 115
• Saturday – 129
• Sunday – 132.

Fatal Car Accidents in Mississippi: How Many Happen Each Year?

There were 772 car accident fatalities in Mississippi in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There were 697 motor vehicle fatalities in Mississippi in 2022. The number of traffic fatalities in Mississippi increased by 8% from 2019 to 2022. 

Of the 1,045 vehicles involved in fatal crashes in Mississippi in 2021, 35 percent were passenger cars, 45 percent were pickup trucks, 10 percent were large trucks, and 4 percent were motorcycles. Another 5 percent were not reported.

TRIP, a private, nonprofit traffic research organization, says that vehicle miles were 11% lower in 2020 than in 2019 because of shutdowns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vehicle travel rebounded in 2021 and 2022 but remained slightly below pre-pandemic levels.

Despite reductions in miles traveled, TRIP reports that traffic fatalities in Mississippi increased by more than 8% from 2019 to 2022:

• 643 in 2019
• 752 in 2020
• 772 in 2021
• 697 in 2022.

Fatalities in Car Accidents: Who Are the Victims?

Many more men than women die each year in motor vehicle crashes, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says. Men typically drive more than women and are more likely to engage in risky driving practices, including not wearing seat belts, driving while impaired, and speeding. Crashes involving male drivers often are more severe than those involving female drivers.

In Mississippi in 2021, of the 772 people who died in traffic accidents:

• 548 were male
• 224 were female.

According to MS DPS:

• 416 were White
• 319 were Black or African American
• 18 were “Other Race”
• 8 were North American Indian or Alaska Native
• 4 were Asian or Pacific Islander
• 7 were other 

Deadly Accidents: Which Types of Car Accidents Are Most Likely to Be Fatal?

According to the National Safety Council, deaths occur more often in collisions involving two or more motor vehicles. This may include:

• Head-on collisions
• Side-impact or right-angle collisions
• Collisions that cause rollovers
• Sideswipe accidents.

In 2021, fatalities in multi-vehicle collisions represented only about 43% of all motor vehicle accident deaths, the NSC says. Collisions between a motor vehicle and a fixed object were the next most common type, followed by pedestrian incidents.

Single-vehicle crashes involving collisions with fixed objects, pedestrians, and non-collisions accounted for 54% of fatalities and 56% of fatal crashes in 2021, the NSC says.

Get Legal Help From Our Experienced Gulfport Car Accident Lawyers

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured in a car accident that was not your fault? You might be eligible to seek financial compensation to pay the hospital bills and other expenses you are facing. If you are dealing with the financial consequences of a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, reach out to the Gulfport car accident lawyers at Haug, Farrar, Franco & Ruiz, PLLC. An experienced car accident attorney will listen to your story, answer your questions, and discuss your options. If you have a valid personal injury claim, we’ll fight to recover maximum compensation for you.

You have nothing to lose by contacting our law firm and everything to gain. We only charge a legal fee if we successfully recover compensation for your car accident injuries through a negotiated insurance settlement or court verdict. Contact us through our online form or call (228) 872-8752 today for a free consultation and evaluation of your car accident claim.