A new report released by Caputo and Van Der Walde—Injury & Accident Attorneys—has identified the top 10 most dangerous states in the United States, based on a range of public safety metrics. According to the analysis, New Mexico ranks as the most dangerous state, followed by Louisiana, Arkansas, Alaska, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Nevada, Colorado, and Oklahoma.
The report used data from various sources to examine the likelihood of residents in each state becoming victims of crime, injury, or death. Ten metrics were evaluated, including firearm fatalities, assaults, burglaries, homicides, vehicle theft, traffic fatalities, and workplace injuries.
New Mexico led the list due to high rates across multiple categories. The state reported a burglary rate of 603.93 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is among the highest in the country. In addition, New Mexico experienced 8.91 traffic fatalities per billion miles traveled, compared to the national average of 5.37. The firearm mortality rate in the state was recorded at 27.3 per 100,000 people—nearly double the national average.
Louisiana followed closely behind. The state recorded the highest rate of traffic accidents and the second-highest rate of assault offenses, with 502.31 incidents per 100,000 residents. In addition to these figures, Louisiana recently enacted legislation allowing residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit. The law, passed earlier this month, permits individuals aged 18 and older, provided they do not have felony restrictions, to carry concealed weapons in public spaces.
Commenting on the law, Louisiana State Senator Blake Miguez stated, “Louisiana now proudly joins the ranks of states that recognize the fundamental right to carry a firearm without the need for a government-issued permit.” He added, “We must handle our freedoms with the utmost care and respect, ensuring safety for all our communities.”
Arkansas, ranking third on the list, posted a homicide rate of 10.24 per 100,000 residents in 2022—approximately twice the national average. Other states such as Alaska and Missouri also ranked high due to a combination of violent crime rates, traffic-related deaths, and other risk factors.
The report’s authors noted that residents in the most dangerous states are more likely to experience injury or death from various causes. “Living in certain states in America can be particularly dangerous due to high rates of injury from various sources,” a spokesperson for Caputo and Van Der Walde stated. “In states like Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico, residents are more likely to suffer injuries from violent crime, car accidents, and workplace incidents.”
My home state of New Mexico is the most dangerous state in America, thanks to several decades of Democrat Party rule.https://t.co/WnlwicusaM pic.twitter.com/MToAYqR0Pg
— Tony Heller (@TonyClimate) May 8, 2025
Alan Chang, a nationwide title and escrow expert, pointed to population density as one potential factor influencing crime rates. “What I can tell you is that population density is usually one of the precursors for a higher crime rate just because of simple math,” Chang told Newsweek. “There are lots of bad actors out there that simply do not follow the law or value life.”
While the report identifies factors contributing to elevated risk, it also suggests that stricter traffic laws and enhanced public safety measures could help mitigate these dangers in affected states.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the report identified the least dangerous states in the U.S. These included Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maine—states that generally report lower rates of violent crime, fewer traffic fatalities, and a reduced incidence of serious injuries.
