Car accident statistics for Jefferson County, Alabama (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Jefferson County by year

Annual car accident deaths fell from 102 in 2020 to 101 in 2021 and 87 in 2022. The count then rose to 100 in 2023 before falling to 87 in 2024. The highest count was 102 in 2020. The lowest count, 87, occurred in both 2022 and 2024. The 2024 count was 15 deaths lower than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The share of all traffic deaths attributed to car accidents was 92.7% in 2020, 93.5% in 2021, 88.8% in 2022, 89.3% in 2023 and 86.1% in 2024. All traffic deaths followed a separate series: 110, 108, 98, 112 and 101, respectively. That series reached its highest count in 2023, while the car accident death count was highest in 2020.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Deaths within 30 days in crashes on public roads. 2024 figures come from the FARS Annual Report File and can be revised.

Who died in Jefferson County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 355 deaths, or 74.4% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 35 deaths, or 7.3%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 87 deaths, or 18.2%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Each category counts deaths in crashes involving a passenger vehicle, rather than limiting the count to passenger vehicle occupants. The Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) label follows the FARS classification and can include occupants of parked motor vehicles.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

By manner of collision, car accident deaths included Angle (side impact), 77 (16.1%); Head-on, 48 (10.1%); Rear-end, 45 (9.4%); and Sideswipe, 16 (3.4%). Other accounted for 4 deaths (0.8%), and Unknown for 3 (0.6%).^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 284 deaths (59.5%). This describes the first harmful event, which can involve striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover, rather than a collision between motor vehicles in transport. A motor vehicle stopped in traffic can still be in transport; physical movement is not the distinction.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Time of day and setting

Daytime, defined as 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., accounted for 207 car accident deaths (43.4%). Nighttime, from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., accounted for 262 deaths (54.9%). Time of day was Unknown for 8 deaths (1.7%). Nighttime had the larger recorded count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The land-use classification was Urban for 404 deaths (84.7%), Rural for 72 (15.1%) and Unknown for 1 (0.2%). These classifications describe crash locations. Separately, crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 48 car accident deaths, or 10.1% of the county's qualifying deaths during 2020 through 2024.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Alabama and the United States

Jefferson County's car accident death rate was 14.3 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. Alabama's rate was 17.1, and the national rate was 10.5. The county rate was lower than the state rate and higher than the national rate. Neighboring Tuscaloosa County had a rate of 15.4, compared with Jefferson County's 14.3.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

These rates use deaths divided by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates, multiplied by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors. The corresponding death counts were 477 in Jefferson County, 4,338 in Alabama, 176,219 nationally and 183 in Tuscaloosa County. Those counts cover the full period; the rates express average annual deaths relative to population.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census population estimates, so they show deaths per 100,000 residents per year. They do not adjust for miles driven or for visitors.

Recorded characteristics of all fatal crashes

Recorded characteristics cover all fatal crashes in Jefferson County, of any vehicle type. Shares use all traffic deaths. Speeding-related crashes accounted for 103 deaths (19.5%); Roadway departure, 268 (50.7%); At an intersection, 90 (17.0%); and Pedestrian involved, 105 (19.8%). Motorcycle involved accounted for 51 deaths (9.6%); Hit-and-run, 48 (9.1%); Driver distraction reported, 15 (2.8%); and In a work zone, 9 (1.7%).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

These figures are not restricted to the car accident definition used elsewhere in the statistics. A crash can carry several characteristics, so rows overlap and do not add to 100%. The characteristics do not establish fault or cause.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

A crash can carry several characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These are recorded characteristics, not findings of fault.

About these figures

FARS is a census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes involving a motor vehicle on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. County assignment uses crash location, not the deceased person's residence. When reading with a car accident lawyer in mind, keep that location grouping in view.^[8][6][7]

The 2020 through 2023 records are Final Files; 2024 uses the revisable Annual Report File. Rates divide deaths by summed annual Census population estimates from Vintage 2025 and multiply by 100,000. They express average annual deaths per 100,000 residents without adjustment for miles driven or visitors. The separate July 1, 2024 population estimate of 666,585 is not the rate denominator.^[8][6][7]

See also

• Car accident statistics for Tuscaloosa County, Alabama (2020-2024)
• Alabama car accident statistics (2020-2024)

On related publications

• Truck accident statistics for Jefferson County, Alabama (2020-2024) (truckaccidentlawyer.wiki)