Minnesota has thousands of miles of highways connecting the Twin Cities, smaller communities, and rural areas across the state. While some roads experience more serious crashes than others, identifying a definitive list of the “deadliest highway stretches” is not as simple as looking at the number of accidents.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) maintains detailed crash information and can identify problem locations based on crash frequency, crash rates, and other measures. However, publicly available state reports do not provide a simple, current ranking of Minnesota highway segments from deadliest to safest. MnDOT notes that its safety analysis considers crash records and rates when identifying locations that may warrant safety improvements.
Instead of relying on an unofficial ranking, drivers can look at statewide crash data and the factors that make certain stretches of Minnesota highways particularly dangerous.
What Does Minnesota Crash Data Show?
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), 402 people were killed in Minnesota traffic crashes in 2023. Minnesota continues to treat fatal and serious-injury crashes as a major transportation safety concern.
The state’s current Strategic Highway Safety Plan has established a goal of no more than 225 roadway fatalities annually by 2030, with the longer-term goal of eliminating roadway deaths and serious injuries.
What Makes a Minnesota Highway Stretch Dangerous?
A highway does not necessarily have to experience the most crashes to present a significant risk. MnDOT evaluates roadway safety using several measurements, including crash frequency and crash rates. For roadway segments, crash rates can account for the length of the roadway and the amount of traffic traveling on it.
Several factors can contribute to serious highway accidents. Minnesota’s 2025-2029 Strategic Highway Safety Plan identifies six factors associated with 90% of fatal and serious-injury crashes: speed, inattention, intersections, lane departures, impairment, and failure to wear a seat belt.
These factors can become especially dangerous on highways where vehicles travel at higher speeds. A driver who crosses the centerline, runs an intersection, or loses control of a vehicle may have less time to correct the mistake before a collision occurs.
How Can You Reduce Your Risk on Minnesota Highways?
No matter which Minnesota highway you travel, safe driving habits can reduce the likelihood of a serious collision. Drivers should obey posted speed limits, remain attentive, avoid driving while impaired, and wear seat belts.
Extra caution may also be appropriate around intersections, curves, construction zones, and other areas where traffic patterns change unexpectedly. Minnesota’s crash data shows that driver behavior remains an important part of preventing fatal and serious crashes.
What Should You Do After a Minnesota Highway Accident?
If you are involved in a highway crash, taking the right steps can protect your health and preserve important evidence.
You should:
- Move to a safe location if possible.
- Call 911 and report the crash.
- Seek medical attention.
- Exchange contact and insurance information.
- Take photos of the vehicles and accident scene.
- Get contact information from witnesses.
- Keep accident-related records and documents.
- Consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer.
These steps can help protect your interests and support a potential personal injury claim.
Contact a Minnesota Personal Injury Lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a Minnesota highway accident because of another driver’s negligence, you may have the right to pursue compensation. Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys can help you understand your legal options and determine the next steps in your case.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Minnesota personal injury lawyer.
We have three convenient locations in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Edina. We proudly serve Hennepin County, Stearns County, and their surrounding areas:
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Minneapolis
825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 615, Minneapolis, MN 55402
(800) 292-1979
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.97514068188609, -93.27349979814521
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – St. Cloud
1010 W St Germain St # 320, St Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-1000
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 45.55903612908877, -94.16420517306956
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Edina
5200 Willson Rd #203, Edina, MN 55424
(952) 697-5560
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 44.90963991439301, -93.34937342327198