Car crash statistics: Insight into the latest car crash fatality stats
Traffic fatalities in the U.S. continued to trend downward in 2024, offering a positive shift in road safety. According to estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 29,135 people lost their lives in traffic crashes in the first nine months of 2024, a 4.4 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This marks the tenth consecutive quarterly decline in traffic deaths since mid-2022.
While advancements in vehicle safety and infrastructure improvements likely contributed to these declines, driver behavior remains one of the most important factors in preventing accidents. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, practicing defensive driving, reducing distractions and making responsible choices on the road will be essential in maintaining this momentum and keeping insurance costs in check.
Car crash statistics
- An estimated 29,135 people died from traffic crashes in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 30,490 in the first nine months of 2023. (NHTSA)
- Although there was a slight increase in vehicle miles traveled, the fatality rate per 100 million miles driven dropped to 1.18 in 2024, down from 1.24 in 2023. (NHTSA)
- On a more granular level, the most up-to-date reports reveal that an average of 3,836 car crash fatalities occurred per month in 2022. (National Safety Council [NSC])
- Approximately 5.8 million people experienced non-fatal crashes the same year. (NSC)
- The estimated total cost of car crashes in 2022 was $340 billion. (IIHS)
- An estimated 7,500 pedestrians were killed by motor vehicles the same year — the highest number since 1981. (NPR)
Leading causes of fatal car accidents
According to the most recent report from the NHTSA, there were an estimated 40,990 motor vehicle fatalities in 2023, a 3.6 percent decrease from 2022. The preliminary data from the first quarter of 2024 show a promising 4.1 percent decrease in car crash fatalities when compared to the same period the year before.
When looking at how many people die in a car accident each year, the fatality rate was trending downward over the past 40 years — until 2020. 2021 had the highest increase in year-over-year fatalities in the history of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. This increase may be partially due to a rebound in driving after the initial lull during the onset of the 2020 pandemic.
- Drunk driving: Drunk drivers cause an average of almost 11,000 fatalities every year. In 2022, there were 13,524 drunk driving-related deaths. This averages out to one death every 39 minutes. (NHTSA)
- Lack of seatbelt use: Of those fatally injured in a passenger vehicle, 45 percent of drivers and 51 percent of front seat passengers were wearing their seatbelts. (IIHS)
- Speeding: In 2022, 29 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths involved speeding. Speeding accounted for 12,151 deaths and 300,595 injuries. Additionally, 87 percent of speeding-related fatalities occurred on non-interstate roads. (NHTSA)
- Distracted driving: 8 percent of fatal car crashes that accounted for 3,308 fatalities in 2022 involved distracted driving. Cell phone use, reading, grooming and adjusting the radio were some of the actions behind this distracted driving behavior. (IIHS)
- Drowsy driving: In 2022, there were 693 fatalities resulting from drowsy-driving related crashes. Most drowsy driving occurs between midnight and 6 a.m. or in the late afternoon. (NHTSA)
Driver behavior
Dangerous driver behavior is more likely to occur under specific circumstances, such as after staying out late or drinking. Drinking alcohol can lower a driver’s inhibitions, and they may consider themselves safe to get behind the wheel even though their blood-alcohol content (BAC) is over the legal limit. Consider the following statistics.
- A Traffic Injury Research Foundation poll found that 30.7 percent of respondents thought that despite being over the legal BAC limit, they were still able to drive safely. (TIRF)
- Male respondents were nearly 67.8 percent more likely than women to report driving when they thought they were over the legal limit. (TIRF)
- Drivers between the ages of 30 and 39 are more likely than any other age group to drive impaired often or very often. (TIRF)
Finding ways to mitigate dangerous driving practices can create safer roads for you and those around you. Some expert strategies include:
- Plan ahead: Make sure you have a designated driver before attending an event where you will be drinking, or plan to use a rideshare service or public transportation.
- Create good habits: Wear a seatbelt and keep your phone out of reach while driving.
- Take your time: Leaving the house with plenty of time may help you avoid accidents and remain calmer behind the wheel.
Car crashes over time
The NHTSA’s annual car crash report is compiled by the government and focuses on motor vehicle fatalities. According to statistics dating back to 1994, the total number of fatal car crashes has not seen any drastic shifts. In 1994, there were 36,254 crashes, compared to 42,514 in 2023. 2011 holds the record for the lowest number of crashes with 29,867. Where we see a real change in numbers is in driving factors for those involved in crashes.
Factors such as being distracted or disobeying traffic signs have varied over the years. According to the data below, alcohol-impaired crashes have yielded the most fatalities in most recent years. Total car crash fatalities have increased over the last five years in tandem with population growth.
| Year | Total car crash fatalities | Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities | Speed-related fatalities | Pedestrian and pedalcyclist fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023* | 40,990 | – | – | – |
| 2022 | 42,514 | 13,524 | 12,151 | 8,627 |
| 2021 | 42,939 | 13,384 | 12,330 | 8,354 |
| 2020 | 38,824 | 11,654 | 11,258 | 7,454 |
| 2019 | 36,096 | 10,142 | 9,478 | 7,051 |
| 2018 | 36,560 | 10,511 | 9,378 | 7,140 |
| 2017 | 37,133 | 10,874 | 9,717 | 6,760 |
| 2016 | 34,748 | 10,497 | 10,111 | 6,827 |
| 2015 | 35,092 | 10,265 | 9,557 | 6,194 |
| *2023 statistics are projections. Finalized data will be available in 2025. |
Car crash statistics by state
Car wreck rates differ by state and region due to variations in road quality, public transit options and number of drivers on the roadway. NHTSA divides the country into 10 regions to track driving behavior. The following chart shows which states are included in each region and how the car crash fatality rate changed between 2022 and 2023.
| NHTSA Regions | States | Regional percentage change in car crash fatalities between 2022 and 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | MA, ME, NH, RI, VT | 15% decrease |
| Region 2 | CT, NJ, NJ, PA | 4% decrease |
| Region 3 | DC, DE, KY, MD, NC, VA, WV | 1% increase |
| Region 4 | AL, FL, GA, SC | 4% decrease |
| Region 5 | IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI | 4% decrease |
| Region 6 | LA, MS, NM, OK,TX | 4% decrease |
| Region 7 | AR, IA, KS, MO, NE | 4% decrease |
| Region 8 | CO, NV, UT WY | 5% decrease |
| Region 9 | AZ, CA, HI | 7% decrease |
| Region 10 | AK, ID, MT, OR, WA | 5% increase |
| *Source: NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis |
Statistical projections reveal that Region 1 experienced a 15 percent decrease in car crash fatalities in 2023 — the most dramatic change across all regions. One potential reason for fewer traffic fatalities in the Northeast is the availability of high-quality public transit. Boston has the best public transit in the country, according to Metro Magazine, and Rhode Island has some of the cheapest public transportation in the country.
Southeastern and Western states such as New Mexico and Mississippi experience some of the most car accident deaths per 100,000 people. These states are known for poor public transit and feature a high concentration of poorly paved, winding and unlit rural roads that can pose dangers to drivers. Drivers in these states may also be further away from medical services, increasing incident response rates.
Car crash statistics by gender and age
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that traffic accidents are the leading cause of death worldwide for children and young adults between ages 5 and 29. However, certain demographics are more likely than others to be involved in a fatal car accident. Teen drivers are one of the most vulnerable populations.
According to IIHS, there were 2,898 teen car crash fatalities in 2022 — 7 percent fewer than in 2021. Data also show that among the 42,514 motor vehicle deaths that occurred in 2022, a teen was driving 13 percent of the time. While teen drivers make up for only about 5 percent of all licensed drivers, they accounted for 7 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths in 2022. The main factors are driver maturity and the inability to recognize and respond appropriately to sudden road hazards. Teens engage in distracted driving more than any other age group and are least likely to wear a seatbelt.
Females consistently have a lower death rate when compared to males across every age group. For nearly every year between 1975 and 2022, there have been two male crash deaths for every female crash death. Men typically drive more miles than women and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as driving while intoxicated, speeding and not wearing seatbelts. The IIHS found, in 2021, motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for females, with 1,044 fatalities, while it was the second cause of death for males, with 1,866 fatalities. Homicide and suicide were the first and second causes of death, respectively.
How safety devices save lives
Safety laws and vehicle safety features can reduce the chances of injury or death in a car accident. One simple and safe choice every passenger can make is properly wearing a seat belt.
Over the decades, drivers and passengers have begun to use restraints more consistently. In 2023, the national seat belt use rate was 91.9 percent. Seat belts are important components of vehicle safety. In 2022, 49.8 percent of passengers that died from car crashes were not wearing a seat belt. It is estimated that around 375,000 lives have been saved by wearing seat belts.
Although airbags were not standard for many vehicles until 1999, all cars are required to have them installed in the front of the vehicle, and some even have them on the sides. Airbags can curb the impact of a car crash by providing a cushion between the passenger and the vehicle itself. Airbags saved 50,457 lives from 1975 to 2017, according to the latest NHTSA data available.
Over the years, laws have changed from state to state regarding motorcyclists wearing helmets. Even if it is not mandated by law, wearing a helmet when on the road is a widely recommended safety measure. Since the ’70s, proper helmet usage has saved an estimated 45,746 lives. While these safety measures may seem small, it is proven that they are impactful.
Technological safety devices are also increasing in popularity. For instance, OnStar is a device that allows individuals to call advisors in the wake of an auto accident. The service also provides roadside assistance and an app where you can call for help. Many car insurance companies offer telematics discounts. These programs track driver behavior in real time and reward safe habits with potential insurance savings. These programs help drivers save money and incentivize safe habits behind the wheel.
The impact of car crashes
Car accidents don’t just leave physical scars — they can take a serious toll on mental health, too. Nearly half of survivors develop post-traumatic stress disorder, often dealing with anxiety, nightmares or intrusive thoughts long after the crash. Many also struggle with work, school or social interactions, especially if they have witnessed fatalities or experienced extreme stress. Despite this, treatment usually focuses on physical injuries, leaving the emotional impact overlooked.
Economically, hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent on service workers dispatched to the crash, medical expenses, damage and lawsuits. The estimated total cost of U.S. car crashes in 2022 was $340 billion, according to the National Safety Council.
How do car crashes affect your auto insurance?
The purpose of car insurance is to protect you from financial loss in the event of an auto accident. Instead of being responsible for thousands of dollars out of pocket, your auto insurance steps in and helps cover the loss up to your policy limits. If the amount of the loss exceeds your policy limits, you are responsible for the rest.
Your auto insurance limits are typically listed as a ratio — for example, 100/300/100 (all in the thousands). These limits tell you the maximum amount your insurance company will pay per person and per accident for bodily injury liability and property damage liability if you are found at-fault in an accident. Most states have a state-required minimum limit of liability, but insurance professionals advise drivers to carry higher liability limits for better financial protection.
In addition to any out-of-pocket expenses, a crash typically impacts your ongoing insurance costs as well, unless you have an accident forgiveness benefit. Even a single at-fault car accident can raise average car insurance rates by 43 percent through a policy surcharge.
A surcharge remains on your policy for three to five years, depending on the state and situation. If surcharges are added to your policy, there are ways to lower your premium. Shop and compare your insurance with other insurance providers to make sure you have the best rate available and speak with your agent about discounts and other cost-saving opportunities.
Learn more: 7 steps to take after a car accident
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