A total of 4,580 people died in Indiana in accident-related situations in 2020. That number brings certain heartache to families of those who had loved ones die due to motor vehicle crashes, falls, fires, drug overdoses and drownings.
Among U.S states, Indiana ranked 33rd in having the lowest accident mortality rate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state reported 66.9 such deaths per 100,000 residents. That number is higher than in 2019 when the Hoosier State ranked 28th with 56 deaths per 100,000 residents
Accidents are fourth-leading cause of death in state
In Indiana, accidents represented the fourth-leading cause of death in the state. Accidents ranked behind heart disease, cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases.
Compared with our four neighboring states in having the lowest accident mortality rates, Indiana placed right in the middle – behind Illinois and Michigan but ahead of Ohio and Kentucky. Here are those numbers and deaths per 100,000 residents.
- Illinois: ranked 17th with 53.4 deaths
- Michigan: ranked 21st with 56.8 deaths
- Ohio: ranked 45th with 78.2 deaths
- Kentucky: ranked 49th with 87.5 deaths
The median number of deaths was 60, with Alabama (59.6) and Wyoming (60.4) being the states closest to it. Hawaii had the lowest accident mortality rate with 39.4, while West Virginia had the highest with 122.2.
The need for continued focus on safety
Too many people in Indiana and the rest of the country die in accidents. A continued focus on safety may lead to a shrinking number of deaths and injuries related to car, truck and motorcycle crashes and construction accidents. Let us remain hopeful that that can happen.