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How Many People Die in Car Accidents Each Year? 2025 Estimate and 2024 Data
Short answer: About 36,640 people died in U.S. motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2025, roughly 100 per day, according to NHTSA's latest early estimate (1.10 deaths per 100 million miles). The latest full count is 39,254 deaths in 2024, about 107 per day (FARS 2024 annual report file).
⬇ Download the free PDF (deaths by year, 2019-2025) 2-page PDF with the yearly table and sources
U.S. traffic deaths by year, 2019 to 2025
| Year | Deaths | Per day | Deaths per 100M miles | Data status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 36,355 | 100 | 1.11 | FARS final file |
| 2020 | 39,007 | 107 | 1.34 | FARS final file |
| 2021 | 43,230 | 118 | 1.38 | FARS final file |
| 2022 | 42,721 | 117 | 1.34 | FARS final file |
| 2023 | 41,025 | 112 | 1.26 | FARS final file |
| 2024 | 39,254 | 107 | 1.19 | FARS 2024 annual report file |
| 2025 | 36,640 | 100 | 1.10 | NHTSA early estimate (projection) |
| Q1 2026 | 7,770 | 86 | 0.99 | NHTSA early estimate (projection) |
Source: NHTSA DOT HS 813 800 (Table 1) and DOT HS 813 833. Per-day figures are our calculation. Get this table as a free PDF, or see all states in the US Car Accident Statistics 2026 report.
Key takeaways
- NHTSA estimates 36,640 traffic deaths in 2025, down 6.7%
- The latest full count is 39,254 deaths in 2024
- 42,795 was an early estimate for 2022, not a current count
- Deaths have fallen every year since the 2021 peak of 43,230
- Q1 2026 was down again: 7,770 deaths (-4.3%)
- Year-by-year figures are in our free PDF
What changed vs the 2022 early estimate
| Year | Figure often cited | Where it came from | Latest figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 42,795 deaths (estimate) | NHTSA DOT HS 813 428, April 2023 | 42,721 deaths after revision |
| 2022 | 1.35 deaths per 100M miles (estimate) | NHTSA DOT HS 813 428 | 1.34 after revision; 1.10 in 2025 (estimate) |
| 2023 | 40,901 deaths | NHTSA Quick Facts 2023 | 41,025 deaths (2023 final file) |
| 2021 | 42,939 deaths | NHTSA DOT HS 813 435 | 43,230 deaths after revision |
| 2025 | Not in older reports | 36,640 deaths, 1.10 per 100M miles (estimate) |
An early estimate is a statistical projection published a few months after the year ends. NHTSA later replaces it with the annual report file and then a final file. That is why 42,795 and 40,901 should no longer be quoted as current. The 2022 State Traffic Data report showed 42,514 deaths for the 50 states and DC before the last revision.
Key statistics
- 36,640 people are projected to have died in 2025, down 6.7% from 39,254 in 2024 (NHTSA early estimate, April 2026).
- That is about 100 deaths a day in 2025 (36,640 divided by 365, our calculation), down from about 107 a day in 2024.
- The 2025 death rate is projected at 1.10 per 100 million vehicle miles, the second lowest on record after 1.08 in 2014 (NHTSA).
- Every quarter of 2025 had fewer deaths than the same quarter of 2024; Q4 2025 was the 15th straight quarterly decline (NHTSA).
- 7,770 people died in Q1 2026, down 4.3% (NHTSA early estimate, July 2026).
- In 2024, 36,297 fatal crashes happened, 2.42 million people were injured, and 7,080 pedestrians were killed (NHTSA).
- 30% of 2024 deaths were in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes and 29% in speeding-related crashes (NHTSA). Detailed 2025 breakdowns are not published yet.
All of these figures are in our PDF of deaths by year.
What it means for drivers and insurance
The count is falling, and NHTSA's 2025 estimate is close to the 2019 level of 36,355. Most deaths still involve the same few factors: speeding, alcohol, and not wearing a seat belt.
For insurance, serious crashes drive the cost of liability claims. If you only carry your state's minimum liability limits, a single crash with injuries can exceed them. Check your limits and compare quotes if your rate changed.
How to cite
How to cite this page
"How Many People Die in Car Accidents Each Year? 2025 Estimate and 2024 Data," AutoInsuranceBundle.pro, https://autoinsurancebundle.pro/statistics/how-many-people-die-in-car-accidents-per-year/
PDF: https://autoinsurancebundle.pro/data/us-traffic-deaths-by-year-2026.pdf
FAQ
How many people die in car accidents per year in the U.S.?
About 36,640 in 2025, according to NHTSA's early estimate. The latest full count is 39,254 in 2024.
Where does the number 42,795 come from?
It is NHTSA's early estimate for 2022, published in April 2023. The revised 2022 count is 42,721.
How many people die in car accidents per day?
About 100 per day in 2025 (estimate) and about 107 per day in 2024.
Will the 2024 and 2025 counts change?
Slightly. The 2024 count comes from the FARS 2024 annual report file, which NHTSA revises once more. The 2025 number is a projection until NHTSA publishes the 2025 annual report file, expected in early 2027.
Are car accident deaths going up or down?
Down. Deaths fell from 43,230 in 2021 to 39,254 in 2024 and an estimated 36,640 in 2025. Q1 2026 was down another 4.3%.
Do these numbers include pedestrians and cyclists?
Yes. FARS counts everyone killed in a motor vehicle traffic crash on a public road, including pedestrians (7,080 in 2024), cyclists and motorcyclists.
Where can I see deaths by state?
See our car accident statistics by state table, with 2025 estimates, a CSV and the free PDF report.
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)
- NHTSA, Overview of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes in 2024 (DOT HS 813 791)
- NHTSA, Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2022 (DOT HS 813 428)
- NHTSA, Overview of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes in 2021 (DOT HS 813 435)
- NHTSA, 2022 Data: State Traffic Data (DOT HS 813 627)
- NHTSA, Quick Facts 2023 (DOT HS 813 720)
- IIHS-HLDI, Fatality Facts 2024: State by state
Reviewed and updated .
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