How many people die in car accidents every year?
How many people die in car accidents every year? Around 38,000 people die in car accidents every year, which is about 104 fatal accidents per day. The higher the crash fatality rates, the more drivers pay for auto insurance. Any driver who has an accident on their driving record can drive up rates by 20% or more. To get the best rates, shop around and compare multiple insurance companies.
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Insurance Content Team Lead
Tonya Sisler has been a technical insurance writer for over five years. She uses her extensive insurance and finance knowledge to write informative articles that answer readers' top questions. Her mission is to provide readers with timely, accurate information that allows them to determine their insurance needs and choose the best coverage. Tonya currently leads a team of 10 insurance copywri...
Tonya Sisler
Licensed Insurance Agent
Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...
Eric Stauffer
Updated March 2025
Accidents and fatal car crashes are significant factors that affect auto insurance rates each year. But how many people die in car accidents every year?
Our guide answers all of your questions about crash statistics in the United States, the United Kingdom, and worldwide. We’ll also discuss how to compare auto insurance quotes.
Read on to learn how many people die in vehicular accidents every year. If you’re ready to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies in your area, enter your ZIP code in the free online quote tool above.
- Approximately 38,000 people die in car accidents every year in the United States
- The total cost of vehicle accidents in the United States was $871 billion in 2020
- The United Kingdom had 1,460 fatal accidents in 2020
- Roughly 1.35 million people per year worldwide perish in automobile accidents
How many people die in car accidents every year?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 38,000 people die from car accidents every year.
Fatal car accidents vary by year. There were 33,244 U.S. car accident deaths in 2019. In 2018, the United States had at least 600 more vehicle fatalities.
But how many automobile accidents occur per year?
The NHTSA reported that 5.25 million car accidents occur per year. Therefore, only 0.723% of accidents are considered fatal crashes when you factor in the 38,000 casualties per year.
Read more: 10 States with the Most Fatal Car Accidents
Which states have the fewest speeding fatalities?
Let’s take a closer look at various crash types. We’ll begin examining the states with the least speeding fatalities.
States with the Fewest Speeding Fatalities
| State | Average Commute Time (minutes) | Average Highway Speed Limit (mph) | Speeding Fatalities Per 1,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 30.4 | 62 | 0.0111 |
| Massachusetts | 28 | 65 | 0.0113 |
| Rhode Island | 23.6 | 58 | 0.0114 |
| Virginia | 27.7 | 68 | 0.0121 |
| Florida | 25.9 | 69 | 0.0121 |
New Jersey has the fewest speed-related deaths. In addition, New Jersey is considered one of the safest states for drivers.
Which states have the most speeding fatalities?
You’d be surprised about states with the most speed-related casualties. Let’s examine the latest statistics for states with the most speeding fatalities.
States with the Most Speeding Fatalities
| State | Average Commute Time (minutes) | Average Highway Speed Limit (mph) | Speeding Fatalities Per 1,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 18.3 | 75 | 0.0819 |
| North Dakota | 16.9 | 71 | 0.0661 |
| South Carolina | 23.5 | 65 | 0.0623 |
| New Mexico | 21.6 | 68 | 0.0619 |
| Montana | 18 | 70 | 0.0503 |
Although Wyoming has a few urban areas across the state, it’s infamous for its rural highways and countryside. Unfortunately, it’s also known for its higher than average speed-related deaths.
What states have the fewest drunk driving fatalities?
Drunk driving is 100% preventable. But some states still have drivers who commit DUI offenses each year. Let’s examine the states that minimized DUI fatalities.
States with the Least Drunk Driving Fatalities
| State | DUIs Per 1,000 Residents | Drunk Driving Fatalities per 1,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 26.3 | 0.018 |
| New York | 1.27 | 0.0191 |
| Utah | 2.3 | 0.021 |
| Minnesota | 5.43 | 0.022 |
| Vermont | 4.23 | 0.0224 |
Rhode Island had the least DUI crash casualties within the past year. Meanwhile, Vermont and Minnesota DUI fatality rates were slightly higher.
What are the top five worst states for drunk driving fatalities?
Let’s examine the top five worst states for DUI fatalities.
States with the Most Drunk Driving Fatalities
| State | DUIs Per 1,000 Residents | Drunk Driving Fatalities per 1,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 12.21 | 0.0904 |
| North Dakota | 5.29 | 0.0872 |
| Montana | 4.1 | 0.0833 |
| Mississippi | 3.89 | 0.0692 |
| New Mexico | 4.67 | 0.0691 |
Wyoming and North Dakota have more rural areas in their states and the highest drunk driving fatalities in the United States.
Which states have the least distracted driving fatalities?
Since the rise of smartphone use, numerous states have seen more drivers cause accidents due to distracted driving. But some states in the nation have limited the number of fatal crashes due to distracted driving.
Review the table below to discover which states have the lowest distracted driving fatality rates.
States with the Least Distracted Driving Fatalities
| State | Does the state ban handheld cellphone use? | Distracted Driving Fatalities per 1,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | No | 0.00364 |
| Nebraska | No | 0.0058 |
| Iowa | No | 0.00736 |
| Vermont | Yes | 0.00799 |
| Maine | No | 0.00827 |
Vermont is the only top-five state in the table that bans handheld phone usage. However, the other states don’t have a ban.
What states have the most distracted driving crash fatalities?
The worst states for distracted driving casualties are widespread. Let’s look at another table to determine the top five worst states for distracted driving deaths.
States with the Most Distracted Driving Fatalities
| State | Does the state ban handheld cellphone use? | Distracted Driving Fatalities per 1,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | (only bans in-state vehicles) | 0.0379 |
| Florida | No | 0.0359 |
| Delaware | Yes | 0.0296 |
| Nevada | Yes | 0.027 |
| Louisiana | (drivers with permit or intermediate license) | 0.025 |
Although most of the top five worst states have a handheld cellphone ban, they still have higher than average crash fatalities due to distracted driving.
How many people die in car accidents every day?
There are approximately 38,000 car accident deaths per year in the USA. If we divide that number into 365 — according to the amount of days in a year — we’ll discover that there are approximately 104.10 fatal accidents per day.
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Why do accidents and fatal crashes impact auto insurance rates?
Now that you’ve seen how many automobile fatalities occur in the United States each year, it’s time to review why car insurance rates are more expensive due to deadly accidents.
Fatal accidents provide a forecast that shows insurance companies the overall risk of drivers.
Although a small percentage of people die in car crashes, millions of people cause billions of dollars in damage due to accidents.
Within the past year, the United States paid $871 billion in costs related to automobile accidents.
To offset the rising costs, car insurance companies issue more expensive rates. Let’s look at the best auto insurance companies as an example.
Check out the table below to see how monthly auto insurance rates differ from drivers with a clean driving record to drivers with one accident.
Full Coverage vs. Liability-Only Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Provider
| Insurance Company | Clean Record | One Ticket | One Accident | One DUI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $228 | $268 | $321 | $385 |
 | $166 | $194 | $251 | $276 |
 | $198 | $247 | $282 | $275 |
 | $114 | $151 | $189 | $309 |
 | $248 | $302 | $335 | $447 |
 | $164 | $196 | $230 | $338 |
 | $150 | $199 | $265 | $200 |
 | $123 | $137 | $146 | $160 |
 | $248 | $192 | $199 | $294 |
 | $84 | $96 | $111 | $154 |
| National Average | $169 | $203 | $244 | $295 |
Accidents inflate monthly rates by at least 20%. If the accident involves a DUI infraction, you can expect your auto insurance rates to increase by 35%.
Geico, American Family, and State Farm are the most affordable car insurance companies in the nation for full coverage and liability-only insurance.
How many car accidents occur per year in the United Kingdom?
The latest annual report of UK car accidents per year listed 125,461. Out of the 125,000 vehicle accidents, only 1,460 were car crash fatalities.
How many car accidents occur in the world per day?
While it’s difficult to determine how many accidents occur per day, we did locate worldwide car accident deaths per year.
Around 1.35 million people per year perish from car accidents, which is about 3,700 fatal automobile accidents per day.
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How Many People Die in Car Accidents Every Year?: The Bottom Line
Millions of people have died from car accidents in the past few years. Auto insurance companies respond to vehicle fatalities with more expensive rates and stricter guidelines for drivers.
Drivers who practice safe driving habits and have low-risk factors are rewarded with less expensive car insurance rates.
Accidents occur more often than we want them to, but distracted driving and DUI infractions are 100% preventable.
Now that you know how many people die in car accidents every year, use our free online quote tool to compare multiple insurance companies near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people die in car accidents every year?
Around 38,000 people die in car accidents each year in the US, approximately 104 fatal accidents per day.
Why do accidents affect auto insurance rates?
Accidents increase auto insurance rates because they indicate higher risk for insurance companies. Drivers with accidents on their record can see a 20% or more increase in premiums.
How can I save on car insurance?
To save on car insurance, practice safe driving, maintain a clean record, and compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the best rates.
How many car accidents occur in the UK and worldwide?
In the UK, there are about 125,000 car accidents per year, resulting in 1,460 fatalities. Worldwide, around 1.35 million people die from car accidents annually, roughly 3,700 fatal accidents per day.
Which states have the fewest speeding fatalities?
New Jersey has the fewest speed-related deaths and is considered one of the safest states for drivers.
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