Home › Statistics › Car Accident Statistics 2025-2026: Latest U.S. Data by State

Car Accident Statistics 2025-2026: Latest U.S. Data by State

By AutoInsuranceBundle.pro · Published November 5, 2026 · Reviewed November 5, 2026

Short answer: NHTSA's latest early estimate shows 36,640 people died in U.S. traffic crashes in 2025, or 1.10 deaths per 100 million miles driven, down 6.7% from 39,254 deaths in 2024 (FARS 2024 annual report file, 1.19 per 100 million miles). Latest 2026 data: NHTSA estimates 7,770 deaths in Q1 2026 (-4.3%, 0.99 per 100 million miles), and the National Safety Council counts 18,460 deaths in the first half of 2026 (-2%, 1.12 per 100 million miles; NSC uses a broader definition).

⬇ Download the free PDF report (2025 estimates + 2024 data) US Car Accident Statistics 2026: 5-page report with key findings, national trend 2019-2025 plus Q1 2026, the 50-state table, methodology and how to cite.

Car accident deaths by state: 2024 data and 2025 estimates (all 50 states and DC)

Tap any column heading to sort; on a phone, swipe the table sideways. The 2024 columns are from IIHS Fatality Facts 2024, which analyzes NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS 2024 annual report file). The two 2025 columns are NHTSA early estimates (DOT HS 813 800, Table 3): statistical projections that will be revised. Speeding, rural and pedestrian columns are shares or counts of each state's 2024 crash deaths; seat belt use is the observed daytime front-seat rate.

State	Deaths (2024)	Deaths per 100k people	Deaths per 100M miles driven	Deaths 2025 (est.)	Change 2025 vs 2024	Speeding-related deaths	Pedestrian deaths	Motorcyclist deaths	Rural deaths	Seat belt use (observed)
Alabama	962	18.7	1.32	851	-11.5%	29%	128	127	59%	92%
Alaska	70	9.5	1.27	66	-5.7%	50%	15	10	53%	92%
Arizona	1,229	16.2	1.74	1,161	-5.5%	36%	250	219	30%	90%
Arkansas	603	19.5	1.53	575	-4.6%	23%	69	76	68%	78%
California	3,876	9.8	1.19	3,630	-6.3%	29%	1,090	522	27%	98%
Colorado	689	11.6	1.25	715	+3.8%	34%	112	165	34%	88%
Connecticut	310	8.4	1.00	274	-11.6%	41%	61	75	13%	95%
Delaware	126	12.0	1.27	116	-7.9%	25%	28	22	40%	92%
District of Columbia	47	6.7	1.33	25	-46.8%	38%	18	9	0%	93%
Florida	3,138	13.4	1.26	3,047	-2.9%	11%	668	642	21%	90%
Georgia	1,403	12.5	1.15	1,307	-6.8%	24%	286	182	35%	89%
Hawaii	102	7.1	0.96	129	+26.5%	42%	35	26	13%	97%
Idaho	238	11.9	1.19	254	+6.7%	24%	14	47	75%	86%
Illinois	1,177	9.3	1.13	1,177	0.0%	36%	213	149	32%	92%
Indiana	832	12.0	0.94	802	-3.6%	26%	104	137	59%	94%
Iowa	356	11.0	1.05	260	-27.0%	20%	30	63	64%	94%
Kansas	339	11.4	1.07	367	+8.3%	21%	34	56	55%	86%
Kentucky	707	15.4	1.44	668	-5.5%	13%	95	118	62%	88%
Louisiana	752	16.4	1.36	773	+2.8%	28%	159	70	45%	88%
Maine	177	12.6	1.17	174	-1.7%	24%	13	35	80%	94%
Maryland	578	9.2	1.01	483	-16.4%	20%	152	95	18%	91%
Massachusetts	363	5.1	0.59	352	-3.0%	29%	76	70	8%	84%
Michigan	1,098	10.8	1.10	1,021	-7.0%	25%	150	184	41%	92%
Minnesota	477	8.2	0.81	372	-22.0%	29%	57	76	58%	95%
Mississippi	753	25.6	1.81	639	-15.1%	17%	104	55	67%	81%
Missouri	955	15.3	1.17	914	-4.3%	33%	137	145	47%	88%
Montana	206	18.1	1.49	199	-3.4%	43%	10	38	79%	79%
Nebraska	251	12.5	1.15	225	-10.4%	27%	19	32	65%	80%
Nevada	417	12.8	1.47	382	-8.4%	33%	108	89	25%	95%
New Hampshire	133	9.4	0.96	136	+2.3%	29%	10	35	56%	78%
New Jersey	670	7.1	0.84	582	-13.1%	23%	210	112	15%	90%
New Mexico	409	19.2	1.43	458	+12.0%	36%	90	50	64%	94%
New York	1,101	5.5	0.91	1,011	-8.2%	33%	289	209	26%	92%
North Carolina	1,619	14.7	1.24	1,410	-12.9%	42%	264	212	62%	93%
North Dakota	90	11.3	0.90	85	-5.6%	22%	5	17	81%	80%
Ohio	1,157	9.7	1.00	1,120	-3.2%	17%	122	222	43%	85%
Oklahoma	645	15.7	1.39	645	0.0%	37%	77	106	58%	86%
Oregon	538	12.6	1.44	491	-8.7%	30%	96	85	54%	96%
Pennsylvania	1,127	8.6	1.18	1,069	-5.1%	39%	173	217	39%	88%
Rhode Island	52	4.7	0.68	37	-28.8%	31%	13	8	13%	91%
South Carolina	1,038	18.9	1.67	950	-8.5%	38%	156	154	46%	90%
South Dakota	146	15.8	1.40	122	-16.4%	23%	9	33	80%	89%
Tennessee	1,197	16.6	1.52	1,061	-11.4%	19%	158	188	40%	92%
Texas*	4,160	13.3	1.35	3,775	-9.3%	36%	763	583	36%	90%
Utah	277	7.9	0.77	274	-1.1%	30%	42	53	49%	91%
Vermont	59	9.1	0.82	61	+3.4%	54%	6	7	71%	88%
Virginia	917	10.4	1.04	833	-9.2%	31%	123	122	50%	82%
Washington	730	9.2	1.21	644	-11.8%	34%	152	113	40%	95%
West Virginia	256	14.5	1.49	238	-7.0%	30%	25	38	56%	92%
Wisconsin	595	10.0	0.86	556	-6.6%	32%	58	106	57%	89%
Wyoming	107	18.2	1.10	124	+15.9%	39%	4	24	75%	73%

Get this table: free PDF report with 2025 estimates or CSV with 2025 columns.

*Texas: FARS counts 4,160 deaths in 2024. TxDOT's Texas Crash Facts first reported 4,150 for 2024 and now lists 4,159 (data as of April 7, 2026). For 2025, TxDOT reports 3,769 deaths and NHTSA projects 3,775. The sources use different counting rules and data-closeout timing. See our Texas car accident statistics.

U.S. total: 39,254 deaths in 2024 (11.5 per 100,000 people, 1.19 per 100 million miles traveled) and 36,640 projected for 2025 (1.10 per 100 million miles), per IIHS and NHTSA.

Key takeaways

NHTSA projects 36,640 U.S. traffic deaths in 2025, down 6.7%, at 1.10 per 100 million miles
2024 is the latest full year of state FARS data: 39,254 deaths, 1.19 per 100 million miles
39 states and DC are projected to have fewer deaths in 2025, while 9 states are projected to rise
Deaths kept falling in early 2026: 7,770 in Q1 (-4.3%)
Mississippi had the highest 2024 death rate per person and Rhode Island the lowest
Every figure is in our free PDF report

National trend: 2019 to 2025, plus Q1 2026

Year	Deaths	Deaths per 100M miles	Data status
2019	36,355	1.11	FARS final file
2020	39,007	1.34	FARS final file
2021	43,230	1.38	FARS final file
2022	42,721	1.34	FARS final file
2023	41,025	1.26	FARS final file
2024	39,254	1.19	FARS 2024 annual report file
2025	36,640	1.10	NHTSA early estimate (projection)
Q1 2026 (Jan-Mar)	7,770	0.99	NHTSA early estimate (projection)

Source: NHTSA DOT HS 813 800 and DOT HS 813 833. If NHTSA's projection holds, 2025's rate of 1.10 would be the second lowest on record, behind 1.08 in 2014. In Q1 2025 there were 8,120 deaths and a rate of 1.05.

Key car accident statistics for 2025 and 2026

36,640 people are projected to have died in U.S. traffic crashes in 2025, down 6.7% from 39,254 in 2024 (NHTSA early estimate, April 2026).
The 2025 fatality rate is projected at 1.10 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles, down from 1.19, while driving rose about 0.9% (NHTSA).
39 states, DC and Puerto Rico are projected to have fewer deaths in 2025. The largest projected rises are Hawaii (+26.5%), Wyoming (+15.9%) and New Mexico (+12.0%) (NHTSA, Table 3).
7,770 people died in Q1 2026, down 4.3% from 8,120 in Q1 2025, at 0.99 deaths per 100 million miles (NHTSA early estimate, July 2026).
The National Safety Council estimates 18,460 deaths in the first half of 2026, down 2%. NSC counts deaths within 100 days and on private roads too, so its totals run higher than FARS.
In 2024, 11.5 deaths per 100,000 people died nationwide; police reported about 6.18 million crashes and 2.42 million injuries (IIHS; NHTSA).
11,904 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in 2024, 30% of all traffic deaths. 2024 is the latest year with alcohol data (NHTSA).
11,288 deaths (29%) were speeding-related, and 7,080 pedestrians and 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in 2024 (NHTSA; IIHS).
Mississippi had the highest 2024 death rate per person (25.6 per 100,000) and Rhode Island the lowest (4.7). Per mile, Mississippi (1.81) was highest and Massachusetts (0.59) lowest (IIHS).
Texas (4,160), California (3,876) and Florida (3,138) had the most deaths in 2024, about 28% of the U.S. total (our calculation). For 2025, NHTSA projects 3,775, 3,630 and 3,047.
The average U.S. driver spent $1,431.63 per insured vehicle on auto insurance in 2024, up 11.71% from $1,281.61 in 2023 (NAIC 2024 supplement).

Every figure above is in our US Car Accident Statistics 2026 PDF report.

Old report vs latest data: outdated statistics to replace

Many articles still cite figures from older NHTSA and NAIC PDFs. Each row shows the old figure, the report it came from, and the newest replacement.

Statistic	Old figure often cited	Old report	Latest figure	Latest source
U.S. traffic deaths	42,795 (2022, early estimate)	NHTSA DOT HS 813 428, April 2023	36,640 (2025 estimate); 39,254 (2024)	NHTSA DOT HS 813 800; DOT HS 813 791
U.S. traffic deaths	40,901 (2023)	NHTSA Quick Facts 2023	36,640 (2025 estimate); 2023 since revised to 41,025	NHTSA DOT HS 813 800; DOT HS 813 791
Deaths per 100M miles	1.35 (2022, early estimate)	NHTSA DOT HS 813 428	1.10 (2025 estimate); 1.19 (2024)	NHTSA DOT HS 813 800
Police-reported crashes	6,138,359 (2023)	NHTSA Quick Facts 2023	About 6.18 million (2024)	NHTSA DOT HS 813 791
People injured	2,442,581 (2023)	NHTSA Quick Facts 2023	About 2.42 million (2024)	NHTSA DOT HS 813 791
Alcohol-impaired-driving deaths	12,429 (2023)	NHTSA Quick Facts 2023	11,904 (2024, latest year)	NHTSA DOT HS 813 791
Speeding-related deaths	11,775 (2023)	NHTSA Quick Facts 2023	11,288 (2024)	NHTSA DOT HS 813 791
Pedestrian deaths	7,314 (2023)	NHTSA Quick Facts 2023	7,080 (2024)	IIHS Fatality Facts 2024
Highest state death rate per 100k	Mississippi, 23.91 (2022)	NHTSA 2022 State Traffic Data	Mississippi, 25.6 (2024)	IIHS Fatality Facts 2024
Lowest state death rate per 100k	Rhode Island, 4.75 (2022)	NHTSA 2022 State Traffic Data	Rhode Island, 4.7 (2024)	IIHS Fatality Facts 2024
Average auto insurance expenditure	$1,126 (2022)	NAIC 2022 supplement	$1,431.63 (2024)	NAIC 2024 supplement

The old figures were correct when published. Early estimates are projections, and NHTSA revises each FARS year after its annual report file, so a number like 42,795 should now be replaced.

Free PDF reports

What the numbers mean for drivers

Crash deaths have fallen every year since 2021, and NHTSA's 2025 estimate would be the lowest count since 2019. Still, about 100 people a day died on U.S. roads in 2025 (36,640 divided by 365, our calculation). Where you live changes the picture a lot: rural states with long, fast roads tend to rank high per person, while dense states with more transit rank low.

For insurance, crash risk is only one input. The NAIC lists accident rates alongside repair costs, medical and legal costs, theft, traffic density, coverage choices and state laws, so a dangerous state is not always an expensive one. If your premium went up, comparing a few quotes is usually the fastest check.

Call a Licensed Agent — Free(833) 567-5929

How to cite or reuse this data

How to cite this page

Free to use with attribution under CC BY 4.0. Please credit and link:

"Car Accident Statistics 2025-2026: Latest U.S. Data by State," AutoInsuranceBundle.pro, https://autoinsurancebundle.pro/statistics/car-accident-statistics-by-state/

PDF report: https://autoinsurancebundle.pro/data/car-accident-statistics-2026.pdf
CSV: https://autoinsurancebundle.pro/data/car-accident-statistics-by-state.csv

The underlying federal figures are public. Our license covers this table's layout, the CSV and PDF report, and our summaries. For state insurance costs, see our NAIC cost by state PDF.

Methodology

The 2024 state columns come from the IIHS-HLDI page "Fatality Facts 2024: State by state," posted June 2026, which is based on NHTSA's FARS 2024 annual report file, FHWA vehicle miles traveled and Census population. We copied each value as published. The 2025 columns come from NHTSA's early estimate for 2025 (DOT HS 813 800, April 2026, Table 3), a statistical projection; NHTSA expects to publish revised 2024 FARS data and the 2025 annual report file in early 2027. Q1 2026 figures come from DOT HS 813 833 (July 2026). National crash, injury, alcohol and speeding figures come from NHTSA's research note on 2024 crashes (April 2026). We did not adjust any number.

FARS counts deaths within 30 days of a crash on a public road. State highway safety offices and the National Safety Council may publish different totals because of their own definitions and reporting dates.

FAQ

What is the latest number of car accident deaths in the U.S.?

NHTSA's early estimate for 2025 is 36,640 deaths, down 6.7% from 39,254 in 2024. For 2026, NHTSA estimates 7,770 deaths in the first quarter, down 4.3%.

Why do other sites say 42,795 people died in car crashes?

That is NHTSA's April 2023 early estimate for 2022. The newest figures are 36,640 for 2025 (estimate) and 39,254 for 2024.

Will the 2024 and 2025 numbers change?

Yes, slightly. The 2024 count comes from the FARS 2024 annual report file, and NHTSA will revise it in early 2027. The 2025 figures are projections until NHTSA publishes the 2025 annual report file. For example, 2023 moved from 40,901 to 41,025.

Are 2026 numbers available?

Only partial-year estimates: 7,770 deaths in Q1 2026 (NHTSA) and 18,460 in the first half of 2026 (National Safety Council, which uses a broader definition).

Why does my state's DOT report a different number?

State reports can use different definitions, cutoff dates and crash types than FARS. FARS counts deaths within 30 days of a crash on a public trafficway. Use one source consistently when comparing states.

Why do states rank differently per person and per mile?

Per-person rates favor states where people drive less. Per-mile rates adjust for how much driving happens. Wyoming, for example, is 18.2 per 100,000 people but 1.10 per 100 million miles.

Which state has the most car accident deaths?

Texas, with 4,160 deaths in 2024, followed by California (3,876) and Florida (3,138). NHTSA projects the same order for 2025: Texas 3,775, California 3,630, Florida 3,047.

Do states with more crash deaths have higher insurance costs?

Not always. The NAIC lists accident rates as one of many factors, along with repair costs, medical and legal costs, theft, traffic density and state laws. Its latest national average expenditure was $1,431.63 per insured vehicle in 2024.

Can I use this table on my website?

Yes. Credit AutoInsuranceBundle.pro with a link to this page or our PDF report, and cite NHTSA FARS and IIHS as the data source.

Sources

NHTSA, Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities and Fatality Rate in 2025 (DOT HS 813 800, April 2026)
NHTSA, Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities for the First Quarter of 2026 (DOT HS 813 833, July 2026)
IIHS-HLDI, Fatality Facts 2024: State by state (posted June 2026)
NHTSA, Overview of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes in 2024 (DOT HS 813 791, April 2026)
National Safety Council, preliminary traffic fatality estimate for the first half of 2026 (September 9, 2026)
TxDOT, Texas Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Facts, Calendar Years 2024 and 2025
NHTSA, Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2022 (DOT HS 813 428, April 2023)
NHTSA, Quick Facts 2023 (DOT HS 813 720)
NHTSA, 2022 Data: State Traffic Data (DOT HS 813 627)
NAIC, 2024 Auto Insurance Database Average Premium Supplement (September 2026)
NAIC, 2022 Auto Insurance Database Average Premium Supplement

Reviewed and updated November 5, 2026.

Important: This article is general information, not legal, tax, or insurance advice, and coverage rules vary by state, insurer, and policy. AutoInsuranceBundle.pro is a free, independent insurance comparison and referral service. We are not an insurance company, we do not issue policies, and we do not provide insurance advice. Calls to the number on this site are routed to licensed insurance agents or agencies in our partner network, who may receive compensation. Calling is completely voluntary and there is no obligation to buy. Rates, discounts, and availability vary by carrier, state, and individual eligibility; not all carriers, products, or discounts are available in all states. Calls may be recorded for quality and compliance purposes.

Call Now — Free Quote(833) 567-5929