For drivers in most states, collisions involving an animal rank high on their list of concerns, especially around dusk or at night when animals become more active and driving conditions more hazardous. While you may not be able to completely avoid or eliminate the risks, it can be helpful to know just how high your chances of getting into an animal-related car accident are in each state. According to State Farm Insurance, each state has different statistics when it comes to wildlife and car accidents.
Keeping in mind that the animal hazards vary from state to state, deer remain the most common animal involved in car accidents. This is due to their wide range within the United States as well as their tendency to be around roads and major highways. Deer are also very active around dusk when it can be hard for motorists to see them clearly.
51. District of Columbia
An urban city, Washington D.C. has few animal-related car accidents.
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Drivers in the nation’s capital have a 1 in 997 chance of being in an accident involving an animal.
50. Nevada
Collisions with animals aren’t super common in Nevada.
There is a 1 in 770 chance you’ll be in a car accident involving an animal when driving in Nevada.
49. Hawaii
Spectacular views are more likely to distract drivers than animal collisions in Hawaii.
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Drivers in Hawaii have a 1 in 710 chance of being in an accident with an animal.
48. Alaska
There are plenty of rural places in Alaska with scenic, winding roads.
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Alaska ranks 48th with a 1 in 522 chance of an accident.
47. Arizona
Not all parts of Arizona are desolate but there are plenty of roadways through massive deserts.
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You have a 1 in 508 chance of being in an animal-related car accident when driving in Arizona.
46. Florida
Florida is home to sandy beaches and sunny weather.
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The Sunshine State has 1 in 487 chances of drivers being involved in an animal-related accident.
45. California
The scenic Pacific Coast Highway is beautiful to drive but make sure to pay close attention as you go.
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California drivers have a 1 in 388 chance of being in an accident involving an animal.
44. Washington
There are plenty of natural areas in Washington but fortunately, most wildlife stays off the roads.
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When driving in Washington State, you have a 1 in 286 chance of being in a car accident involving an animal.
43. Connecticut
There are plenty of picturesque places to visit in Connecticut.
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When driving in Connecticut, you have a 1 in 267 chance of being in an accident involving an animal.
42. New Mexico
New Mexico marks the entrance to mountain time but not a lot of animal-related accidents.
©Natalia Bratslavsky/Shutterstock.com
Drivers in New Mexico have a 1 in 262 chance of being in a car accident related to an animal.
41. Colorado
Be alert when driving through the snowy mountains of Colorado.
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Colorado offers 1 in 240 chances of being involved in an animal-related car accident.
40. New Jersey
The New Jersey Turnpike has a whopping 12 lanes of traffic.
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When driving in New Jersey, you have a 1 in 213 chance of being in a collision or accident involving wildlife.
39. Utah
Many roads through Utah go through the desert.
©Tashka/iStock via Getty Images
Utah drivers have a 1 in 205 chance of being in an animal-related car accident.
38. Oregon
Enjoy your time visiting and driving in Oregon.
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When driving in Oregon, you have a 1 in 197 chance of being in an accident that involves wildlife.
37. Lousiana
The driving hazards in Louisiana’s populous cities are much different than in the more rural parts of the state.
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Louisiana drivers have a 1 in 193 chance of being in an animal-related accident.
36. Texas
Texas is a large state and there are many roads that run through it.
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Drivers in the Lone Star State have a 1 in 191 chance of an animal-related car accident ruining their day.
35. New Hampshire
New Hampshire is home to large wilderness areas, even though it is a small state.
©iStock.com/Craig Zerbe
Drivers in New Hampshire have a 1 in 169 chance of being in an animal-related car accident.
34. Illinois
Watch the roads as you drive in Illinois to avoid hazards.
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Illinois drivers have a 1 in 152 chance of being in a car accident involving wildlife.
33. Delaware
Some parts of Delaware, such as small beach towns, have different driving conditions than others.
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While a smaller state, Delaware ranks 33rd and drivers have a 1 in 148 chance of being in an accident with animals.
32. New York
Driving in New York City includes many hazards but not much interaction with wildlife on the road.
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New York drivers have a 1 in 144 chance of encountering an animal that leads to an accident.
31. Idaho
Drive carefully in Idaho to avoid a run-in with wildlife.
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If you drive in Idaho, you have a 1 in 136 chance of being in an animal-related car accident.
30. Nebraska
Many of Nebraska’s roads go through farms and countryside.
Nebraskans have a 1 in 127 chance of being in a car accident involving wildlife.
29. Oklahoma
Pay close attention when driving on bridges or through farmland for potential driving hazards.
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Oklahoma offers a 1 in 119 chance of being in a car accident involving an animal.
28. Maryland
Maryland has plenty of seashores as well as mountains.
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Marylanders have a 1 in 116 chance of being in an animal-related car accident.
27. Vermont
Be very careful when driving around curves in wildlife areas, such as this one in Vermont.
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Drivers in Vermont have a 1 in 110 chance of being in a car accident involving wildlife.
26. Massachusetts
Pay attention when driving in Massachusetts and try not to get distracted by the ocean views.
©shananies/iStock via Getty Images
When driving in Massachusetts, you have a 1 in 109 chance of being in a collision with an animal.
25. Georgia
Atlanta is the largest city in Georgia.
©Evilarry at English Wikipedia (Original text: David Selby), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons - Original / License
Georgia drivers have a 1 in 108 chance of being in an animal-related car accident.
24. Tennessee
Deer are one of the most common wildlife driving hazards in Tennessee.
©AndreyKrav/iStock via Getty Images
When driving in Tennessee, you have a 1 in 107 chance of being in a collision involving an animal.
23. Indiana
Watch the road when driving through Indiana.
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Indiana drivers have a 1 in 100 chance of being involved in a car accident that involves wildlife.
22. Ohio
Country roads through rural areas often have more animal crossings than those in larger cities.
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Ohio drivers have a 1 in 97 chance of being in an accident involving an animal.
21. Rhode Island
Providence is both the capital and the largest city in Rhode Island.
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Rhode Islanders have a 1 in 96 chance of being in a collision involving wildlife.
20. Kansas
Kansas roads include long stretches through farmland.
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When driving in Kansas, you have a 1 in 96 chance of being in a car accident involving an animal.
19. Alabama
Alabama has some wildlife on the roads but you can be careful to avoid them.
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Drivers in Alabama have a 1 in 93 chance of being in a collision involving an animal.
18. Kentucky
This bluegrass state has plenty of wildlife, so take care when driving.
©AndreyKrav/iStock via Getty Images
Kentuckians have a 1 in 91 chance of being in a car accident involving an animal.
17. Arkansas
The Ozark Mountains in Arkansas are home to many animals.
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Arkansas drivers have a 1 in 88 chance of getting in a car accident involving wildlife.
16. North Carolina
Be mindful of animals when you drive in North Carolina.
©StacieStauffSmith Photos/Shutterstock.com
North Carolinians have a 1 in 87 chance of being in a collision with an animal.
15. Maine
The North Maine Woods is the largest forest in the state and home to a lot of wildlife.
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If you are driving in Maine, you have a 1 in 83 chance of being in an animal-related car accident.
14. South Carolina
Interstate 526 includes major bridges in South Carolina.
©brookebecker/iStock via Getty Images
When driving in South Carolina, your chances of being in a car accident involving an animal is 1 in 83.
13. Wyoming
Some of the animals you’ll see crossing the road in Wyoming are truly amazing.
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Wyoming drivers have a 1 in 83 chance of being in an animal-related car accident.
12. North Dakota
Fargo is the snowiest city in the state, another road hazard that can impact your driving.
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When driving through North Dakota, you have a 1 in 82 chance of being in a collision involving an animal.
11. Minnesota
Drive carefully in Minnesota, especially when there is snow or ice on the road.
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Your chances of being in a car accident involving an animal in Minnesota are 1 in 81.
10. Missouri
Famous Route 66 goes through Missouri.
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Missourians have a 1 in 80 chance of being in an animal-related car accident.
9. Virginia
Virginia has large cities, beach towns, and mountains.
©Wilsilver77/iStock via Getty Images
Virginians have a 1 in 78 chance of being in a collision involving wildlife.
8. South Dakota
The Badlands Loop is one of the most well-known roads in South Dakota.
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When driving in South Dakota, you have a 1 in 69 chance of being in an animal-related car accident.
7. Mississippi
Watch for wildlife when you drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi.
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The chances of being in a car accident involving wildlife in Mississippi is 1 in 64.
6. Iowa
There are plenty of fields to drive through in this state.
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Drivers in Iowa have a 1 in 63 chance of being in an animal-related car accident.
5. Wisconsin
Curving roads, like this one in Wisconsin, are especially hazardous around dusk when animals might be crossing.
©iStock.com/Melissa Kopka
Wisconsin drivers also have a 1 in 60 chance of being in an animal-related car accident.
4. Michigan
This state has plenty of cold weather, making animal-related car accidents even more dangerous during the winter months.
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Michigan is not far behind with a 1 in 60 chance of an animal-related car accident occurring in the state.
3. Pennsylvania
Major highways, such as Interstate 70, go through Pennsylvania.
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This northeastern state has a 1 in 59 chance of hitting an animal or being involved in an animal-related accident while driving.
2. Montana
Watch for large wildlife, such as moose, especially in Montana’s stunning national park areas.
©Sean Xu/Shutterstock.com
Drivers in Montana have a 1 in 53 chance of being involved in an accident that involves an animal.
1. West Virginia
The mountains of West Virginia are beautiful but also home to many animals so keep a watchful eye as you drive.
©Malachi Jacobs/Shutterstock.com
Drivers in West Virginia have a 1 in 38 chance of having an animal-related accident.
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