Car accidents happen whether you like it or not. Sure, there’s exceptions where someone might tell you they’ve never been in one. The more you drive, it’s likely you’ll eventually be involved in a car accident at some point in your life.
In fact, there are 6 million accidents each year in the U.S. alone. That’s not including 2020 when the number took a nosedive due to lockdowns across the country. Of those 6 million, 3 million people are injured, 2 million experience permanent injuries, and more than 90 people die each day. Car accidents in one of the top 3 leading causes of death each year, so be aware… and be careful out on the road. You may even need a good personal injury lawyer or car accident lawyer on speed dial, just in cause.
Not every accident is serious though. Half are likely small fender benders, but sometimes, a car accident can be fatal… as is the case of some of the car accidents that we feature below. Some are outright unbelievable.
Below are some of the top worst car accidents in the past several decades.
70-Car Pile Up – December 11, 1990
During an early morning in December 1990, dense fog blanketed a stretch of the I-75 in Tennessee. The visibility was so bad that motorists were involved in a 70-car pile up. It happened just after 9 am and stretched for half a mile and caused 13 fatalities. The scene that morning included car fires, which prompted 33 different fire companies to respond to calls.
The accident led to Tennessee improving its fog warning system with sensors to alert motorists on highway signs, as well as reflective markers and flashing lights.
130-Car Pile Up – Feb. 11, 2021
During Texas’ historic snowstorm in February 2021, the state also saw a historic pile up of more than 130 cars. Due to frigid and icy conditions that caused dangerous driving conditions, big rigs and cars collided sometime before 6 am on Interstate 35.
The car accidents led to at least 6 people dying and dozens more injured. As first responders arrived at a destructive scene, they witnessed multiple people trapped in their vehicles, having to be saved by hydraulic rescue equipment, while others boarded buses to get out of the freezing weather.
Stefan Eriksson Crashes Ferrari Enzo – Feb 21, 2006
This crash is widely recognized as one of the worst crashes ever, due to the price tag of the car involved and severity of the crash. It involved former Gizmondo head Stefan Eriksson who crashed a Ferrari Enzo (valued at over $2 million) in Malibu, California on the famed Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). He was driving in excess of 160 miles per hour… and walked away from the crash nearly unscathed. But, the car accident was so severe that it split the car in half.
Eriksson and Trevor Karney were found at the site, but Eriksson claimed to be a passenger and that a man he only knew as “Dietrich” was the driver, while Karney claimed to be the passenger of another supercar — a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren — that was racing the Ferrari. Neither Dietrich nor the Mercedes were to be found, and ultimately, an investigation concluded that Eriksson was the driver and Karney the passenger. It would send him to jail for 18 months.
Dodge Viper Flipped – August 21, 2010
A man driving a 1998 Dodge Viper crashed on the highway as he pushed 170 mph and flipped multiple times. Eventually, it slammed into a pole, resulting in deadly injuries. The car accident is notable due to the speed the driver was traveling.
Lesson: don’t speed down the highway in a supercar!
Corvette Collides With an 18-Wheeler – November 7, 2004
This car accident took place during a police chase, where the driver hit speeds of as high as 165 mph. He ultimately lost control and collided into the back of an 18-wheeler, resulting in a deadly freeway collision.
