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Illinois Car Accident Statistics 2026: Latest Crash Data

By AutoInsuranceBundle.pro · Published November 9, 2026 · Reviewed November 9, 2026

Short answer: Newest count: 835 Illinois traffic deaths in 2026 as of November 9, versus 1,037 at the same point in 2025 (IDOT provisional). 2025 full year: 1,171 (provisional). Latest Crash Facts book: 1,178 deaths in 2024, vs 1,268 in the still-cited 2022 report.

Illinois car accident statistics by year: old 2022 report vs latest IDOT data

Tap a column header to sort. Source: IDOT Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics, 2021 through 2024 editions (crash data overview and person data pages). The 2025 row is provisional, from IDOT's Fatal Crash Historic Data dashboard as of November 9, 2026; IDOT has not yet published a 2025 Crash Facts book. Get this table as a free PDF.

The 2022 book is still quoted on many websites as if it were current. Its numbers were right for 2022. Since then IDOT has published the 2023 and 2024 books, and its provisional 2025 death count is 97 lower than 2022 (−7.6%, our calculation).

Old figure vs latest figure

Changes are our calculations from IDOT's printed figures.

Key Illinois crash statistics

• 1,178 people died in Illinois crashes in 2024, according to IDOT's 2024 Crash Facts, in 1,085 fatal crashes. That is about 3 deaths a day.
• 303,913 crashes in 2024, about 833 a day, the most of any year from 2021 to 2024, and 89,023 people injured.
• 1,171 deaths in 1,069 fatal crashes in 2025 under IDOT's provisional dashboard count, the fourth yearly drop since the 2021 peak of 1,341.
• 835 deaths in 2026 as of November 9, versus 1,037 at the same point in 2025, 202 fewer (−19.5%, our calculation). This is a provisional, partial-year count.
• 45.3% of fatal crashes in 2024 involved speed, up from 43.8% in 2022. Speed was also a factor in 31.1% of all crashes.
• 217 pedestrians were killed in 2024, up from 196 in 2022, and the provisional 2025 count is 219.
• 20.4% of fatal crashes in 2024 involved alcohol. Of 502 drivers killed who were tested, 34.7% had a BAC of 0.01 or higher.
• $8.3 billion estimated cost of Illinois crashes in 2024 (IDOT, using National Safety Council cost estimates).

Newest federal figures for Illinois

NHTSA's 2025 and 2026 state numbers are projections, so treat them as estimates.

• NHTSA early estimate, Q1 2026: 193 Illinois deaths in January–March 2026, down from 264 in Q1 2025 (−26.9%), and 0.80 deaths per 100 million miles versus 1.10 (DOT HS 813 833). It covers one quarter and will be revised.
• NHTSA early estimate, 2025: 1,177 deaths, unchanged from 2024, at 1.12 per 100 million miles (DOT HS 813 800). IDOT's provisional count, 1,171, is slightly lower.
• FARS 2024 annual report file: 1,177 deaths, 9.3 per 100,000 people and 1.13 per 100 million miles; 36% of deaths were speeding-related (IIHS Fatality Facts 2024). IDOT's own 2024 total is 1,178.

How to use these numbers correctly

For the latest published Illinois book, cite "1,178 deaths in 2024 (IDOT 2024 Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics)." For 2025, say "1,171 deaths (IDOT provisional data)" and note that IDOT has not yet released a 2025 book. For 2026, give the date of the count, because the dashboard changes daily. For state-to-state comparisons, use FARS, where every state is counted the same way.

Two cautions. First, the dashboard's 2024 total (1,176) differs slightly from the 2024 book (1,178) and from FARS (1,177); each source closes its data at a different time. Second, IDOT rounds the mileage death rate to one decimal place, so 1.2 and 1.1 hide smaller moves.

What it means for Illinois drivers and insurance

Fewer deaths is good news, but crashes and injuries went up. Illinois averaged about 833 crashes a day in 2024, and most of them become insurance claims.

Minimum limits. Under 625 ILCS 5/7-203, an Illinois liability policy must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage (25/50/20). A $20,000 property limit can be used up by one newer car. Our Illinois minimum coverage calculator shows what the minimum pays.

Uninsured drivers. Illinois policies include uninsured motorist coverage, and disputes over those claims usually go to arbitration. Read how Illinois uninsured motorist arbitration works before you file.

Cost. NAIC's 2024 Average Premium Supplement puts Illinois's average auto insurance expenditure at $1,263.95 per insured vehicle in 2024, up from $1,152.85 in 2023 (+9.6%, our calculation) and below the U.S. average of $1,431.63.

Deer and pedestrians. Deer were involved in 4.7% of all Illinois crashes in 2024. Hitting a deer is usually a comprehensive claim, not collision. Pedestrian crashes were 1.6% of crashes but 19.7% of fatal crashes.

Also see is the state minimum enough? and car accident deadlines by state.

Download the Illinois crash statistics PDF. For every state, see the car accident statistics by state table and the US Car Accident Statistics 2026 PDF.

FAQ

How many people died in car accidents in Illinois in 2025?

1,171, according to IDOT's provisional dashboard count as of November 9, 2026. IDOT has not yet published its 2025 Crash Facts book, so the number may still change slightly.

How many people have died on Illinois roads in 2026?

835 as of November 9, 2026, compared with 1,037 at the same point in 2025 (IDOT provisional data). NHTSA's early estimate for January–March 2026 is 193 deaths, down 26.9%.

How many car accidents happen in Illinois each year?

IDOT counted 303,913 crashes in 2024, about 833 a day, with 89,023 people injured. That was more crashes than in 2022 (298,347) or 2023 (299,133).

Is the 2022 Illinois Crash Facts report still accurate?

It is accurate for 2022 (1,268 deaths, 298,347 crashes), but IDOT has published the 2023 and 2024 books since. For current numbers, use the 2024 book and the provisional 2025 count.

Why do some sites still say 1,268 or 1,240 people died in Illinois crashes?

1,268 is the 2022 total and 1,240 is the 2023 total. Pages written before the 2024 book came out still show them as the latest year.

How many pedestrians are killed in Illinois each year?

217 in 2024, up from 196 in 2022, according to IDOT's Crash Facts. The provisional 2025 count is 219.

What is Illinois's minimum car insurance?

25/50/20 liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage (625 ILCS 5/7-203).

Where can I download these Illinois numbers?

Download our Illinois crash statistics PDF, or the US Car Accident Statistics 2026 PDF for every state.

For another perspective, see a Chicago bike commuter's post on a fatal dooring crash and what the city and drivers could change, still relevant with 28 to 41 Illinois bicyclists killed each year.