Mississippi Leads Nation in Uninsured Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes, Study Finds

Mississippi has the highest rate of uninsured drivers involved in fatal crashes in the United States, according to a new study by Shane Smith Law.

The analysis combined fatal crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with insurance coverage data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The findings reveal that states with higher percentages of uninsured residents are also more likely to see uninsured drivers involved in deadly collisions.

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Mississippi Tops the Rankings

In 2023, Mississippi recorded 69 uninsured drivers involved in fatal crashes. Adjusted for population, this equals 24 uninsured drivers per million residents, the highest rate in the country.

Mississippi also ranks eighth nationwide for percentage of uninsured residents, with 10.3% of its population lacking insurance.

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Wyoming and Texas Follow Closely

Wyoming placed second, with 22 uninsured drivers involved in fatal crashes per million residents. Although the state only saw 13 such crashes in total, its small population of just 573,746 magnified the rate. Wyoming also ranks sixth for percentage of uninsured residents, at 10.7%.

Texas ranked third, with 21 uninsured drivers in fatal crashes per million residents. With 635 total crashes involving uninsured drivers, Texas recorded the highest raw number in the nation. The state also has the highest percentage of uninsured residents overall, with 16.4% lacking insurance.

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Oklahoma and New Mexico Tie for Fourth

Both Oklahoma and New Mexico recorded 18 uninsured drivers involved in fatal crashes per million residents.

• Oklahoma, which has the third-highest uninsured rate at 11.4%, saw 73 fatal crashes involving uninsured drivers.

• New Mexico recorded 37 fatal crashes involving uninsured drivers, despite having a slightly lower uninsured population at 9.1%.

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States With the Highest Rates of Uninsured Drivers in Fatal Crashes

Rank	State	% Uninsured Residents	Fatal Crashes Involving Uninsured Drivers (per million residents)	Total Fatal Crash Drivers 2023
1	Mississippi	10.3%	24	665
2	Wyoming	10.7%	22	121
3	Texas	16.4%	21	3,874
4	Oklahoma	11.4%	18	643
5	New Mexico	9.1%	18	402

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Where Fatal Crashes Are Lowest

At the other end of the spectrum, Massachusetts recorded just 1 uninsured driver involved in a fatal crash per million residents, the lowest in the nation. The state also has the lowest percentage of uninsured residents overall at 2.6%. In 2023, Massachusetts had 325 drivers involved in fatal crashes, but only one was estimated to be uninsured.

Other states with the lowest rates include:

• Hawaii: 2 uninsured drivers per million residents (3.2% uninsured rate)

• New York: 3 uninsured drivers per million residents (4.8% uninsured rate)

• Minnesota: 3 uninsured drivers per million residents (4.2% uninsured rate)

• Rhode Island: 3 uninsured drivers per million residents (4.5% uninsured rate)

These states all combine stronger insurance requirements with lower uninsured populations, which experts say directly reduces fatal crash involvement by uninsured drivers.

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Expert Insight

An expert at Shane Smith Law commented on the findings:

“These statistics show there is a correlation between states with high uninsured populations and fatal crashes involving uninsured drivers. This creates serious problems for accident victims seeking compensation for injuries.

States with stronger insurance requirements and enforcement show lower rates of both uninsured residents and fatal crashes involving uninsured drivers. Better insurance mandates and enforcement could reduce these incidents and protect everyone on the road.”

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Why This Matters

Uninsured drivers create unique challenges for victims of fatal crashes and their families. Without valid insurance policies in place, recovering compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and wrongful death claims can be far more difficult.

The Shane Smith Law study suggests that stronger enforcement of mandatory insurance laws, along with expanded access to affordable coverage, could help reduce both the number of uninsured drivers and their involvement in fatal collisions.