Fatal car crash statistics 2024
By 1913 — a mere 15 years after the first car was sold in the U.S. — there were already about 1.3 million vehicles sharing America’s roads, resulting in 4,200 traffic fatalities in the U.S. that year. Since then, a dramatic shift in car culture has caused the number of annual American traffic fatalities to skyrocket, though fatalities relative to road traffic have decreased since the early days of American auto culture.
This article delves into the latest fatal car crash data, exploring the deadliest crash types, the safest and most dangerous vehicles and the noteworthy link between safety features and affordability. Buckle up as we navigate the complex landscape of lethal car crashes.
Several key traffic fatality metrics reached their lowest points in history in 2014, making that the safest year on record for America’s roads. But traffic fatality rates have increased since.
Jump to insightAlthough California was the state with the highest total number of car crash fatalities in 2022, Mississippi had the highest number of crash fatalities per 100,000 residents.
Jump to insightVehicle-on-vehicle angle collisions are the deadliest type of car crash.
Jump to insightThe Mitsubishi Mirage sedan had the highest driver death rate of any car model between 2017 and 2021.
Jump to insightLuxury cars are typically safer to drive due to their advanced safety features.
Jump to insightFatal car crash statistics
Despite the overall increase in car-related fatalities in the U.S., the per-capita death rate has actually plummeted by over 50% since its peak in 1937. We drive significantly more miles today, but the death rate per 100 million miles driven has also dropped by a staggering 93% since 1923.
That said, recent progress in road safety might be stalling. From 2019 to 2022, there's been a rise across three critical traffic fatality metrics: total fatalities, fatalities per car on the road and fatalities by miles driven.
Car accident deaths by year
The number of people killed in U.S. car accidents increased by about 996% from 1913 to 2022, jumping from 4,200 to 46,027 traffic fatalities in those years, respectively. But it’s important to consider the massive change in car culture that’s also taken place during that time.
Back in 1913, there were roughly 1.3 million vehicles and 2 million drivers on U.S. roads, compared with over 283 million vehicles and 235 million licensed drivers in the U.S. in 2022.
Driver behavior has changed substantially over time, and vehicle safety technology has vastly improved as well, resulting in a significant decrease in U.S. road fatalities since the early days of the automobile. To put this in perspective, consider the following data:
- The number of traffic fatalities per capita has fallen by about 55% since peaking in 1937.
- Since 1913, the death rate per 10,000 vehicles has decreased by more than 95%.
- The fatality rate per 100 million miles driven has dropped by nearly 94% since 1923.
However, this progress hasn’t been linear. From 2019 to 2022, an uptick occurred in three critical traffic fatality metrics: total traffic fatalities (+17.7%), fatalities per 10,000 vehicles on the road (+6.4%) and fatalities per 100 million miles driven (+10.8%). These trends highlight the need for continued efforts to improve America’s road safety.
Car accident deaths by location
California easily has the most cars out of any state in the U.S., with about 31.3 million registered vehicles in 2021. Unsurprisingly, it also had more annual traffic fatalities than any other state in 2022, though it flip-flops for this spot with Texas, which had the most traffic fatalities of any state the year prior.
However, California and Texas aren’t the most lethal states for road traffic, according to other key metrics. In 2022, Mississippi had 23.9 traffic fatalities per 100,000 residents, which was more than any other state that year. South Carolina had 1.85 traffic fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, which exceeded the rates of all other states by that measurement.
On the other side of the road safety spectrum, Rhode Island was the state with the fewest traffic fatalities per capita in 2022, with only 4.8 per 100,000 residents. It also had only 0.69 traffic fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, making it the safest state to drive in by that measure as well.
At an urban level, among cities tracked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2022, the deadliest cities for road travelers in terms of fatal car crashes per capita were Memphis, Tennessee, and Daytona Beach, Florida. The cities with the lowest per-capita fatal car crash rates were Boise, Idaho, and Reading, Pennsylvania.
What types of crashes are the deadliest?
A 42.6% plurality of U.S. car crash fatalities in 2022 occurred as a result of vehicle-on-vehicle crashes. Furthermore, crashes between multiple vehicles were responsible for 78.1% of car crash-related injuries.
Collisions with fixed (or other) objects and pedestrians were the second and third most common car crash types, respectively.
Among vehicle-on-vehicle crashes, angle collisions were the deadliest collision type. Nearly 45% of fatal crashes with other motor vehicles in 2022 were angle collisions, causing 8,800 fatalities that year.
Which car models have the highest fatality rates?
The Mitsubishi Mirage sedan had the highest driver death rate between 2017 and 2021. In that five-year span, 205 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years occurred behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Mirage sedan.
An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study revealed that drivers of smaller cars, like the subcompact Mitsubishi Mirage sedan, were at a higher risk of death in crashes. This was likely due, in part, to the lack of advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking (although most newer Mirage models now include this technology).
While smaller cars dominated this list, some powerful “muscle cars” were also included in the top ten, like the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger. The same IIHS study suggests that the way these vehicles are marketed, combined with their raw power, might contribute to a higher risk of accidents.
Which car models have the lowest fatality rates?
With no driver deaths among the years and models studied, the BMW X3, Lexus ES, Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and Nissan Pathfinder share a four-way tie for first among cars with the lowest driver fatality rates.
Of the four safest car models for drivers, the Nissan Pathfinder was the only model available for under $40,000 when this study was released in July 2023. The IIHS found that advanced safety features like crash avoidance systems are typically standard on more expensive luxury vehicles, like those available from BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. The unfortunate takeaway here is that spending more money can help protect you, which is a luxury not everyone can afford.
FAQ
What state has the most fatal car accidents?
In 2022, California had 4,428 car crash fatalities, which was more than any other U.S. state.
What car accidents are the most fatal?
Vehicle-on-vehicle angle collisions were the deadliest type of car accident in 2022, causing 8,800 car crash fatalities that year.
What percentage of deaths are accidental?
In 2022, around 7% of all U.S. deaths were accidental. An estimated 227,664 people died from unintentional injuries that year.
Who pays for a car accident?
In most states, the at-fault driver’s car insurance provider must cover injuries and immediate damages resulting from an accident. Some car insurance policies may also include additional coverage in the event of a fatal car accident, providing a modest payout to cover funeral or other post-death expenses.
Do extended car warranties cover accidents?
No, extended car warranties don’t cover accidents. An extended car warranty can help cover car repair or part replacement costs in the event of a factory defect, while damage resulting from accidents is covered by car insurance.
References
- Carlier, M. “Motor vehicle registrations in the U.S. in 2021, by state.” Statista. Evaluated July 10, 2024.Link Here
- “Fatality Facts 2022: State by state.” Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Evaluated July 15, 2024.Link Here
- “Car Crash Deaths and Rates.” National Safety Council. Evaluated July 10, 2024.Link Here
- “Type of Crash.” National Safety Council. Evaluated July 10, 2024.Link Here
- Tucker, S. “The Deadliest and Least Deadly Cars.” Kelley Blue Book. Evaluated July 10, 2024.Link Here
- Elflein, J. “Unintentional injury in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts.” Statista. Evaluated July 10, 2024.Link Here
- Clifton, C. “FIRST AMERICAN CAR SOLD IN APRIL, 1898; Pioneer Motor-Propelled Vehicle Made in France in 1769--Interesting Phases in Automobile History.” The New York Times. Evaluated July 15, 2024.Link Here
- “What's the difference between at-fault and no-fault accidents?” Progressive Insurance. Evaluated July 16, 2024.Link Here
- “Accidental Death Coverage.” Direct Auto Insurance. Evaluated July 16, 2024.Link Here
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