Car accident statistics for Placer County, California (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Placer County by year

Annual car accident deaths fell from 32 in 2020 to 29 in 2021, then rose to 34 in 2022 and 39 in 2023. The count fell to 33 in 2024. The highest count was 39 in 2023, and the lowest was 29 in 2021. The 2024 count was 1 death higher than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

All traffic deaths numbered 35 in 2020, 34 in 2021, 38 in 2022, 43 in 2023 and 40 in 2024. Car accident deaths represented 91.4%, 85.3%, 89.5%, 90.7% and 82.5% of those respective annual totals. That share was highest in 2020 and lowest in 2024, while both death counts were highest in 2023.^{[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 Placer County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 113 deaths, or 67.7% of car accident deaths in Placer County from 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 18 deaths, or 10.8%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 36 deaths, or 21.6%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Each category counts deaths in crashes involving a passenger vehicle. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) follows the FARS classification, which can include occupants of parked vehicles. The grouping does not establish whether someone was physically outside a vehicle.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

The manner of collision describes the first harmful event in a car accident. Angle (side impact) accounted for 22 deaths, or 13.2%; Head-on for 16, or 9.6%; Rear-end for 12, or 7.2%; and Sideswipe for 10, or 6.0%. Other accounted for 3 deaths, or 1.8%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 104 deaths, or 62.3%. This means the first harmful event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport. Examples include striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover. A motor vehicle in transport can be stopped in traffic.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Time of day and setting

Daytime (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) accounted for 81 car accident deaths, or 48.5%, during 2020 through 2024. Nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) accounted for 83 deaths, or 49.7%. Time of day was unknown for 3 deaths, or 1.8%. The nighttime count was higher than the daytime count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

By land use, urban locations accounted for 111 deaths, or 66.5%, and rural locations accounted for 56 deaths, or 33.5%. Car accident deaths in crashes that also involved a large truck numbered 14, representing 8.4% of the county's car accident deaths.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with California and the United States

Placer County's car accident death rate was 8.0 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. California's rate was 9.3, and the national rate was 10.5. The county rate was lower than both. The listed neighboring counties had rates of 10.5 in Sacramento County, California, and 8.3 in Washoe County, Nevada.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Among the listed neighboring counties, Sacramento County had the higher rate and Washoe County the lower rate. Placer County's rate was lower than each. These rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census population estimates and multiply by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors, and the deaths are assigned by crash location.^{[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 Placer County, of any vehicle type, rather than only car accident deaths. Shares use all traffic deaths: Speeding-related, 34.7%; Roadway departure, 56.3%; At an intersection, 18.4%; Pedestrian involved, 14.2%; Motorcycle involved, 15.3%; Hit-and-run, 6.3%; Driver distraction reported, 5.3%; and In a work zone, 1.6%.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Roadway departure had the largest listed share, with 107 deaths. In a work zone had the smallest, with 3 deaths. A crash can carry several characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These records are not findings of 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 traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. It excludes nonfatal crashes and injuries. Counts follow crash location, not residency. If reading with a car accident lawyer in mind, keep that location rule in view.^[8][6][7]

The 2020 through 2023 records are Final Files; the 2024 Annual Report File can change when finalized. Rates divide deaths by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025 and multiply by 100,000. The separate July 1, 2024 estimate is not the denominator. The resulting average annual deaths per 100,000 residents do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.^[8][6][7]

See also

• Car accident statistics for Washoe County, Nevada (2020-2024)
• California car accident statistics (2020-2024)

On related publications

• Truck accident statistics for Placer County, California (2020-2024) (truckaccidentlawyer.wiki)