West Virginia is estimated to be the 38th most populous state in the U.S., with approximately 1,781,860 people residing within its borders in 2022. Known for its rolling mountains and expansive valleys, the state offers residents and travelers countless outdoor activities to enjoy, from whitewater rafting to skiing. However, West Virginia has also built up a reputation throughout the years as a dangerous state to drive through.
Inexperienced drivers and unprepared travelers frequently struggle to navigate the region’s rural roads, which are filled with sharp curves and abrupt elevation changes. Adjusting for population size, West Virginia had the 16th-highest rate of traffic-related deaths per 100,000 people in 2020 and the 8th-highest rate of collision fatalities per 100,000,000 vehicle miles traveled. Thus, despite West Virginia’s relatively small number of residents compared to states like California or Texas, the frequency and severity of car crashes remains incredibly high to the present day.
In this article, we analyze West Virginia’s 2020 crash data to gain a better understanding of what causes collisions in the state and how one can best protect themselves on the region’s roadways.
How Many Fatal Car Crashes Occurred in West Virginia in 2020?
According to data collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 249 fatal crashes in West Virginia in 2020, resulting in 267 total fatalities. Compared to other U.S. states, West Virginia had the 37th-most fatal crashes throughout the year. However, population size does play a substantial factor when it comes to the quantity of fatal collisions.
California, the state with the highest number of deadly crashes in 2020 (3,558) had a population 22x larger than that of West Virginia at the time. Thus, it stands to reason that with more people and vehicles on the road, California would naturally have a higher number of wrecks. When accounting for population, West Virginia had a higher rate of fatal crashes per 100,000 people (14.9) than California (9.7). The national average of deaths per 100,000 people in vehicle accidents was 11.7, meaning that California’s rate of collisions was lower than the average state, whereas West Virginia’s was higher.
How West Virginia Compares to Other States in Terms of Deaths Per Miles Travelled
Tracking traffic fatalities by the number of vehicle miles travelled (VMT) is another effective method to keep a dataset from being skewed by varying state populations. Instead of factoring in the number of people or drivers in a state, the key element is the number of miles traveled on a region’s roadways. In the chart below, we display the ten states with the highest number of traffic deaths per 100 million VMT, juxtaposed with the national average.
Of note:
- South Carolina had the highest rate of fatalities, with a figure of 1.97. The state’s fatality rate was 1.47x higher than the national average in 2020.
- Seven of the ten states with the highest rate of deaths per 100 million VMT had an estimated population of less than five million in 2020. Only Arizona, Florida, and South Carolina had populations above that threshold during the specified calendar year.
- West Virginia, despite being the 41st-largest state with only the 38th-largest population, had the 8th-highest rate of deaths per 100 million VMT.
Which Demographic Was Most Impacted by Fatal Crashes in West Virginia?
In total, there were 267 fatalities caused by motor vehicle collisions in West Virginia during 2020. Using IIHS data, we were able to display a breakdown of deadly crashes by road user. We observed that:
- More than one-third (37%) of victims of fatal crashes were in a pickup or SUV.
- Most victims were travelling in or on some form of motor vehicle at the time of the fatal crash. People not in a motor vehicle (pedestrians and bicyclists) made up only 7% of all crash victims.
- People in a truck or SUV were 12.5x more likely to suffer lethal injuries in a collision than a large truck occupant.
Did Proper Seatbelt or Restraint Use Play a Role in Whether a Crash Was Fatal?
Failure to properly wear a seatbelt or other form of acceptable crash restraint can increase the chances of suffering serious injuries in a collision. 178 passenger vehicle occupants lost their lives in motor vehicle collisions in West Virginia during 2020. Of these, 83 (47%) were unrestrained. 65 (37%) victims were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision, and a further 30 (16%) may or may not have been restrained. While wearing a seatbelt may not be enough to prevent fatal injuries in a high-speed collision, it increases a victim’s chances of survival nonetheless.
What to Do After a Car Crash
If you experience a motor vehicle collision in West Virginia, try your best to remain calm. We understand that being in a car crash is an extremely stressful experience and put together some basic steps you can follow in such an event.
- Check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
- If your car is still operable, maneuver off the road so you are not in the path of traffic and at risk of being hit again.
- Get yourself and your car passengers to a safe location.
- Call 911 to receive medical assistance and have the police make an accident report.
- Document the scene of the crash, if safe. Take photos of the vehicle involved, road conditions, crash debris, and any injuries you or another passenger suffered.
- Seek medical attention, even if you feel as though you escaped unscathed. Internal injuries can take days or even weeks to show up, particularly when they are masked by adrenaline in the heat of the moment.
- Call a local injury attorney familiar with West Virginia traffic laws and regulations.