It's almost Black Friday, a day synonymous with savings for those looking at gifts for the upcoming holiday season. While some consumers will simply turn to Amazon, many will line up outside of stores to wait for the best bargains. Unfortunately, this die-hard pursuit for savings can sometimes turn violent, making Black Friday a shopping nightmare for anyone caught up in the maylay. Looking at three data sets, review.org figured out which states have the highest likelihood of Black Friday violence this year. They based their predictions on violent crime rates per 100,000 in each state, search volume for the term "Black Friday deals" by state, and previous reports of Black Friday deaths and injuries per 100,000 by state. Related: 6 tips to avoid accidents on Black Friday — and Black Sunday |

Are the savings worth it?

Researchers found that particular retailers tend to experience incidents on Black Friday. Walmart, for example, accounted for 57.1% of these incidents. Of course, this is most likely because Walmart is the largest U.S. retailer. After Walmart, shopping malls accounted for 17.9% of incidents. Toys "R" Us, Target, and Best Buy accounted for 7.1% of incidents each; Kohls accounted for 3.6% of incidents. Of the incidents that have occurred, the most frequent type has been trampling. This is likely a result of shoppers bum-rushing store entrances just as doors are being unlocked. Other incidents involve a shooting, stabbing, use of pepper spray, a car, or a fight. Related: Coverage issues and Walmart's employee-delivered packages |

Surviving Black Friday

No matter where you live, practicing simple steps to stay safe on Black Friday can't hurt. These ideas were compiled by the researchers at reviews.org. |

1. Make a plan: What stores are you going to? Which items do you want from which stores? If you're taking other people with you, agree on a meeting place at every store you go to, just in case you get separated in the hustle. If you split up, agree on a time to meet.
2. Carry only what you need: If you're planning on doing some serious shopping, travel light and leave yourself room to carry your purchases.
3. Keep your phone charged: Whether you get separated from friends or have an emergency, it pays to keep an external charger with you in case you need it.
4. Leave if you sense danger: Trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe, leave. No gift or deal is worth your life or health.
5. Avoid Black Friday altogether: If you'd rather skip the crowds, dodge the lines and be safe, you can always opt out of Black Friday and wait for Cyber Monday instead.

Related: 20 ways to safely cook and travel this Thanksgiving