Top 10 Vehicles Involved in Fatal Crashes by Make in Wyoming

Fatal and severe accidents happen every day on the country’s roadways. Many of the accidents occur without warning as drivers come up on a parked vehicle, someone runs out in front of their vehicle, or other incidents.

It happened again recently in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Early in the morning on April 4, 39-year-old Rock Springs resident, Gary Osborn was killed in a head-on collision on Interstate 25 near Cheyenne. Lt. David Wagener reported that Osborn was driving north on I-25 in the southbound lane and ran head-on into a vehicle driven by Omar Chavira, a 34-year-old driver from Gillette.

The officer reported that Osborn was driving in the wrong direction when the accident occurred and was not wearing his seatbelt.

The passengers in the other vehicle both survived and were treated and released. They were both wearing their seatbelts.

With this accident, Lt. Wagener says that impaired driving was being investigated as a factor, bringing the total to 21 so far of those who have died on Wyoming highways in 2017.

Gary Osborn’s accident is an example of a fatal accident that could have been prevented. If the victim had worn a seatbelt, he might have had a better chance of survival, as well as addressing the issues that lead to his impaired driving factors.

If you’re concerned for your safety on the road and want better auto insurance, start comparison shopping today and enter your ZIP code above!

Two Types of Fatal Accidents

When it comes to fatal accidents, there are two major types of accidents that occur. The two types are described below.

— Sudden Death Fatal Car Accidents

Most fatal car accidents are sudden death car accidents. These are accidents that are so severe that they immediately end the life of people involved.

Often these types of accidents involved people who did not wear a seatbelt, but others are due to other factors such as damage to the head or vital organs.

— Eventual Death Fatal Car Accidents

Eventual death fatal car accidents are those that involve deaths due to injuries sustained during the accident that cannot be repaired.

Some of these victims will linger in the hospital or are kept alive with life support until such time that they can no longer survive on their own.

The Distracted Driving Factor

The statistics on fatal accidents tell us that one out of every ten fatal accidents is caused by distracted driving. Distracted driving involved either a visual, cognitive, or manual distraction.

Three of the most common types of driving distractions are listed below:

• Visual Distractions — Visual distractions are one of the most dangerous types of distractions because it involves taking your eyes off the road. You are not focused on what is ahead, and it can cut your time to respond down to two seconds or less.
• Manual Distractions — Manual distractions are those distractions where the driver takes their hand off the wheel for a few seconds. When your hand is not on the wheel, you are not in control of your vehicle.
• Cognitive Distractions — Cognitive distractions are those that involve your mental focus, such as mental stress, emotional strain, or trying to talk to kids in the back seat. Anything can distract you mentally so you should always be aware of these potential dangers.

Other cases of fatal accidents in Wyoming that were attributed to distracted driving can be found on the ABC Fox news site involving a crash near Cody, Wyoming, and another one near Gillette on January 12, 2017.

It’s important to note that the accident near Gillette also involved alcohol, but the use of alcohol while driving leads to distracted driving and slowed response time.

Top 10 Vehicles Involved in Fatal Crashes in Wyoming

(Click here for interactive chart)

In addition to distracted driving, impaired driving, and lack of using a seatbelt, the type of vehicle that you drive is also a significant factor.

In fact, the Insurance Information Institute keeps records on the types of factors and vehicle models that are involved in fatal accidents.

Below is a list of the top ten vehicles that have been involved in fatal crashes in the state of Wyoming over the past few years.

One important thing to note is that two car manufacturers tied for 10th place — Honda and Cadillac. After much deliberation, it was determined that Honda was the better fit.

#10 – Honda

Established: September 24, 1948
Vehicles Involved: 3

Honda is a popular Japanese vehicle manufacturer that many people enjoy driving for family vacations, business, and errands around town. They build a variety of vehicles including automobiles, aircraft, motorcycles, and power equipment.

Honda was also the first manufacturer to develop a solely luxury brand. That was Acura which was founded in 1986. They’ve created a brand that people trust for its reliability. It’s not uncommon to hear people talk about driving Hondas well past 200,000 miles.

With only three vehicles involved in a fatal crash, Honda lands at the bottom of our top ten list.

#9 – Subaru

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUHe-5MeZoQ

Established: July 15, 1953
Vehicles Involved: 4

Subaru was, like Honda, founded in Japan in 1953. It is focused on the outdoor market and those looking for affordable sports vehicles. They are well known for their boxer engine layouts and symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

In Japanese, Subaru is named for the star cluster Pleiades, also known as “The Seven Sisters.” The name also inspired their logo.

There were only four fatal accidents with Subarus in Wyoming.

#8 – Volvo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHwQ7oKd2z4

Established: April 14, 1927
Vehicles Involved: 5

Volvo is a sleek, sporty-looking vehicle that comes in a variety of models. It originated as a Swedish multinational manufacturing company but has been sold several times in the last several decades.

They also build buses, construction equipment, and industrial and marine power equipment. The number of Volvos involved in fatal collisions in Wyoming is five.

#7 – GMC

Established: Established: April 14, 1927
Vehicles Involved: 5

GMC was founded in 1927 and is an American company that’s part of the General Motors family of vehicles. GMC focuses primarily on trucks and utility vehicles.

However, their business reaches into commercial trucks, buses, vans, and military vehicles. There were five vehicles involved in fatal crashes.

#6 – Jeep/Kaiser-Jeep/Willys-Jeep

Established: June 1940
Vehicles Involved: 6

Jeep/Kaiser-Jeep/Willys-Jeep is a subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and are popular with outdoorsmen for its recreational strength and versatility.

You can ride in an open car and enjoy the great outdoors or use the top to protect yourself from the elements.

One of its original vehicles was the Willys MB Jeeps. It was built in 1941 for the military and used heavily in World War II. It was integral in helping the Allies win the war. There were six vehicles of this type involved in fatal accidents in Wyoming.

#5 – Toyota

Established: August 28, 1937
Vehicles Involved: 7

Toyota is a popular car that is headquartered in Japan. The brand was established as a spinoff from Toyota Industries in 1937.

As of October 2016, Toyota ranked the ninth largest company based on revenue and the second largest automobile manufacturer. It also a leader in hybrid vehicles with the Prius being viewed as an industry leader.

Seven fatal crashes involving Toyota occurred in Wyoming during the time the data was collected.

#4 – Datsun/Nissan

Established: December 26, 1933
Vehicles Involved: 8

Datsun/Nissan sells cars under three separate brands: Nissan, Infiniti, and Datsun. It is the sixth largest automobile manufacturer and is the largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer with over 275,000 all-electric vehicles sales.

There were eight vehicles involved in fatal collisions in Wyoming recently.

#3 –Dodge

Established: 1900
Vehicles Involved: 16

The Dodge company was established as Dodge Brothers Company machine shop in 1900 by brothers Horace Elgin and John Francis Dodge, making it one of the oldest car manufacturing companies.

In the 1920s, it was one of the top selling brands in America and has since withstood an ever-changing industry as well as several mergers and sells.

Dodge offers a variety of vehicles, but they focus on sports cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs. There were 16 vehicles involved in fatal collisions made by Dodge in Wyoming during the time the data was collected.

#2 – Chevrolet

Established: November 3, 1911
Vehicles Involved: 28

Chevrolet was founded in 1911. It has been synonymous with Americana and Southern values for a long time and continues to be considered an affordable vehicle that provides reliable transportation for working class people.

They are a part of the General Motors family and offer a wide variety of vehicles.

There were 28 vehicles involved in fatal crashes in recent years in Wyoming. This number comprised 14.57 percent of all fatal accidents in the state of Wyoming.

#1 – Ford

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOanZ9RaEB8

Established: June 16, 1903
Vehicles Involved: 35

Ford Motor Company is considered the first car manufacturer in America. Dodge was created three years earlier in 1903, but Ford’s invention of the original “Model T” by Henry Ford took center stage when it comes to vehicle manufacturing at the turn of the century.

Ford has hundreds of different makes and models from the family friendly Ford Taurus to fuel efficient Fusion to the spacious and rugged Explorer.

There were 35 fatal collisions involving Fords in Wyoming in recent years — 18.21 percent of all fatal vehicle crashes in the state of Wyoming.

Tips to Avoid Fatal Car Accidents in Wyoming

It’s important to remember that the make and model alone are not the only factors, as we discussed earlier in the article.

Your driving habits and freedom from distractibility are some of the most important factors that you have in your control to lower your chances of a fatal collision.

Below are a few other tips as to how to stay safe on the roadways, no matter what type of vehicle you are driving:

• Buzzed driving
• Distracted driving
• Speed
• Parking lots
• Drive the right car
• Advanced safety systems

All of the above factors can help you to avoid dangerous accidents as you drive along life’s highways.

Also, avoid DUIs. Even just a little alcohol is too much if you are driving on the road as it can inhibit your judgment.

Driving the right car is important too. We are not talking about the make and model as much as the fact that you should get a car that handles safely on the road.

In Wyoming, watch out for animals that might cross the road or motorcyclists that often traverse Wyoming highways.

— Remember the “Four Rs”

Lastly, remember the “Four Rs” when driving in Wyoming and Idaho to avoid collisions that can wreck your vehicle quickly and endanger your life.

• Read ahead on the road
• Right lane driving
• Reduce your speed
• Ride off the road when necessary

Comparison Shop for the Right Coverage

The most important thing that you should do to get the right coverage is to shop and compare different policies. Below are some tips to make sure you do enough shopping and comparing to get the best auto insurance plan for your needs in Wyoming.

• Review policy every six months – Review your current policy every six months to stay current with your needs. Your car or other factors may change so keep your insurance up-to-date and switch options as your situation changes to protect you from risk factors.
• Compare three to four policies – If you compare three or four policies, you will have a better idea of what you need. Look at the good and bad points of each one and then think about your needs and who you will have on your policy.
• Don’t decide solely on price – Never choose a policy based on the premium costs alone. Find value and get the most for your money. Get enough protection so you are covered in any contingency and find an affordable and appropriate policy for your situation.

Keeping you and your family safe is the most important thing.

So buckle up, keep your eyes on the road, and avoid DUIs or distractible driving.

You cannot predict what others will do on the road, but you can control what you do. So control what you can and leave the rest to your insurance.

If you want better auto insurance and protection for you and your family, compare rates today by entering your ZIP code below!