Each Year, Thousands of Cars Crash in The U.S., But Some Car Brands And Types Are More Likely To Be Involved in an Accident
In 2022, motor vehicle crashes resulted in 42,514 fatalities and injured another 2.38 million people across the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
But not all vehicles are equally represented in these incidents; some makes and models appear in crash reports far more often than others, often due to identifiable factors like vehicle type, driver demographics, or usage patterns.
In this study, we analyze which car brands and models are most commonly involved in crashes and why. We’ll explore patterns in crash timing, highlight the most dangerous days and hours on the road, and map the most popular vehicle models in each state to better understand America’s driving landscape and where risk truly lies.
The Most Dangerous Car Brands in the US
Car accidents remain an unfortunate reality on busy roadways, especially with high-speed traffic and densely populated routes. However, certain vehicle makes and models are involved in fatal crashes more frequently than others, often reflecting their popularity, driver behavior, or inherent risk factors. The chart below reveals the ten vehicles linked to the highest number of fatal crashes in 2022.
The next chart, which closely mirrors the fatality rankings, shows the ten vehicles most frequently involved in crashes overall in 2022. While not all collisions result in fatalities, this list highlights the models most commonly linked to roadway incidents of any severity.
Statistics are one thing, the causes behind such high numbers another. Both fatality and general crash statistics reveal a fairly consistent group of brands and types, and in each case, study data tells us that there are usually explanations for high brand and vehicle accident frequency.
Ford
The Ford F-Series, very prominently placed on crash lists, is a large, powerful vehicle that features significant driving blind spots, exacerbating accident risk. Its boxy front design – especially among newer pickup models – can mean drivers are hampered by poor visibility, especially when it comes to cyclists and pedestrians.
Another significant F-150-specific issue is that its transmission has been blighted by unexpected downshifting problems, which can lead to loss of control and increased crash risk.
And, since the Ford F-Series is one of the automotive best-sellers in the U.S., there are a huge number of these vehicles on the road, often for work-related purposes – an issue that further increases the potential for crashes and fatalities, due to driver fatigue.
Chevrolet
A powerful pickup, the Chevrolet is a safety concern for a number of reasons. A notable recall of many 2020-2022 Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 models – due to a faulty transmission control valve that locked up the rear wheels while driving, meant a loss of control, and serious accidents were a distinct possibility. The vehicle has experienced numerous issues with its V8 engine and has been subject to poor frontal-crash ratings.
Additionally, and crucially, the Chevrolet, like the Ford, is a big seller, with the Silverado dominating its segment. More Silverados on the road – especially in rural areas – means more potential accidents.
Toyota
The Toyota Corolla and Camry have a distinctive and worrying history of safety issues, particularly when it comes to sudden acceleration. While these issues have been largely addressed following recalls and amendments, the sudden acceleration blight continues to be reported by some drivers.
And, since the Corolla and Camry regularly feature high on best-seller lists – they’re very popular with daily commuters – the prevalence of so many of these vehicles on the road increases the accident risk.
Honda
The Honda Accord and Civic are popular with younger drivers – a factor that pushes up the accident statistics. They’re also popular family vehicles and among the best-selling cars in the US, meaning significant numbers are always on the road, increasing their accident risk.
Additionally, Honda has recalled high numbers of both Accord and Civic models due to fuel pump defects, which can potentially lead to leaks, fires, or even crashes.
Dodge
Study data suggests that Dodge Ram drivers, particularly in specific areas such as Massachusetts, may exhibit aggressive driving behavior, a major reason they’re perceived to be involved in so many incidents.
The Ram is a large vehicle that, like the Ford, features an elevated driving position that can cause poor visibility and subsequent accidents. And, the Ram has been recalled on numerous occasions due to a brake stability malfunction, an issue that could easily lead to accidents.
Nissan
Some study data suggests that Nissan Altimas are more likely to be driven by young people, exacerbating crash risk. The Altima has also suffered numerous mechanical failures and airbag faults, leading to concerns about its safety.
And, it’s one of the most stolen cars in the U.S. – a factor that inflates its crash statistics due to accidents involving stolen vehicles.
GMC
The GMC Sierra has experienced several issues that could cause crashes, including transmission problems and a vacuum brake assist pump fault, which led to recalls. Additional engine failures, particularly regarding the 6.2L V8, have led to a higher risk of accidents due to stalling. And, its backup camera has drawn criticism for being inadequate.
Add to these issues the fact that the Sierra is a powerful, full-size pickup that can suffer from poor driver visibility and that it’s a big seller, and its place on the accident list makes sense.
Key Takeaways
If a popular, powerful vehicle suffers from any kind of malfunction, with a tired driver working a long shift at the wheel, the combined factors quickly increase accident numbers.
Yet, because the brands featured on the crash-frequency lists are also generally the most commonly driven vehicles on the road, their ubiquity in huge numbers is the predominant reason for the statistics, rather than inherent vehicle fault.
Generally speaking, sedans/saloon cars are the most common type of vehicle involved in accidents on U.S. roads, with pickups next on the list in many states. When we look at the most popular vehicle brands and types in each state, there’s a clear alignment between the brands found on these lists and accident figures.
Most Popular Vehicles in Each State
While vehicle type and popularity vary widely from state to state, when you’re on the road can be just as important as what you’re driving. By driving during specific accident windows, you significantly increase your risk of being involved in an accident. Being aware of those accident windows and understanding accident timing patterns can help drivers make safer decisions or avoid high-risk periods altogether.
Accident Timing Patterns (and When to Avoid the Roads – If You Can!)
The likelihood of being involved in a vehicle accident rises during certain times of the day, with some periods posing significantly higher risk. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), the most dangerous time to be on the road is between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., during peak rush hour traffic.
While the most common day for crashes varies by state, Friday and Sunday consistently top the list. As for the calendar, August, May, and December see the highest number of accidents, months marked by holidays, increased travel, and seasonal hazards like summer congestion or winter weather.
The Worst Time to Travel on U.S. Holidays
When it comes to national holidays, Thanksgiving Day between 11 A.M. and 3 P.M. is the peak time for travel, as most travelers are making their way to their dinner destinations. The Friday following Thanksgiving, between noon and 4 P.M., is also best avoided if you’re driving, as this is the peak time for Black Friday shopping, with guaranteed heavy traffic in city areas.
The weekends before Christmas and the New Year also feature notoriously heavy traffic delays, with the Sunday after Christmas Day always a busy travel day, along with the Thursday and Friday before New Year, as scores of people hit the road to get home after Christmas.
That covers some holiday-specific travel warnings, but what about the rest of the year?
The Worst Day To Travel – Month by Month
We can all appreciate and anticipate holiday travel hot spots, particularly towards the end of the year. But the reality is that we travel all year round, and negotiate tailbacks right through January to December. Here are some of the occasions each calendar month during which you might want to think twice before getting into your car.
January
The worst day to travel in January is surely New Year’s Day, when study data tells us that drunk drivers spike 89%, leading to exceedingly dangerous roads across the U.S.
February
The busiest and potentially worst day to travel during February in the U.S. is the Sunday that closes out Valentine’s Day weekend, as it features high traffic volumes, with large numbers of drivers returning from short trips away.
March
In the U.S., the worst days to travel in March are generally Saturdays and Sundays around spring break. Plan carefully if you’re traveling on such days, and expect delays.
April
Fridays are already busy, but the Friday of Easter weekend in April is best avoided by drivers, as it’s the major travel window of the month.
May
The worst day to travel in May in the U.S. is Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of the month. This day – and the preceding weekend – sees a massive increase in travel, leading to highly congested roadways.
June
In the U.S., the last Friday in June is generally considered the worst day for road traffic, as large numbers of people travel prior to Fourth of July weekend celebrations.
July
The worst days to travel in July converge around the July 4th holiday – July 3rd, and July 7th – and both see significant travel congestion across the country.
August
The busiest travel days during August in the U.S. can vary but always fall at the end of the month, prior to Labor Day weekend.
September
September’s busiest travel day is usually the Friday before Labor Day, Monday, with the AAA recommending early travel for drivers wanting to avoid tailbacks.
October
The end of October features the busiest roads of the month, with Hallowe’en travel the main contributory factor, although early October dates are also busy due to leaf-peeping season.
November
The busiest travel period in November, other than the dates and times mentioned earlier as part of the holiday travel warning, is generally the Sunday after Thanksgiving, during Black Friday weekend. This is due to people returning home after their Thanksgiving trip. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving can also be a busy travel day, with many people taking the day off for an early start to their Thanksgiving weekend.
December
The worst day to travel in the U.S. during December usually falls between December 22nd and 24th, with many people jamming the roads as they drive to their holiday destinations. Set off early – or expect delays!
Improving Road Accident Statistics
There are many factors that cause car accidents. Study data tells us that distracted driving usually accounts for around 8-10%, and speeding 29%, while drunk driving causes 32% of car crash fatalities. However, these determinants are spread across all vehicle brands and types.
In terms of the vehicles at the top of the car accident tables, the key is to consider each vehicle accordingly. So, for large pickups like the Ford and Chevrolet, driver behavior is key to preventing accidents.
By some distance, the top two vehicles involved in accidents, the Chevrolet and Ford, both possess enormous power and potentially devastating bulk. As such, statistical data proves that they demand to be driven much more carefully, particularly when we consider the poor visibility handicaps drivers of both vehicles suffer.
Additionally, some of these vehicles are stolen more often than others, and if the thieves in question are poor drivers, in many cases without a valid license (as was the case in 5,832 incidents in California in 2022), that’s not a matter of vehicle culpability. Instead, it suggests that better security and storage of such vehicles might be urgently needed, as well as more punitive measures against car theft.
Ultimately, many of the vehicles on the crash lists are there purely due to popularity and their sheer numbers on the road. Beyond those basic numbers, accidents are down to a complex combination of factors, including driver capability, fatigue, recklessness, and inebriation. If a powerful vehicle is then involved in a crash and causes damage, that’s not necessarily the fault of the car or the car brand.
At Chaikin Trial Group, we’re personal injury experts who feel it’s our job to take the burden from you, so you can focus solely on recovering physically and emotionally. Contact us today if you need any help – what’s personal to you is personal to us.