| Data years | 2020-2024[1][2][3][4][5] |
|---|---|
| Deaths in car accidents, 2020-2024 | 1,421[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deaths in car accidents, 2024 | 254[5] |
| Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents | 11.5[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| Population, July 1, 2024 (estimate) | 2,529,112[6] |
| 2024 data file | FARS Annual Report File[5] |
Riverside County recorded 1,421 car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024, a figure covering fatal crashes that involved at least one passenger car, SUV, pickup or van. In 2024 the county logged 254 car accident deaths, which made up 87.9% of that year's 289 all traffic deaths. Across the full five-year span, car accident deaths accounted for 87.8% of all traffic deaths recorded in the county.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
A car accident on this page refers to any fatal crash involving at least one passenger vehicle, with deaths tallied for everyone killed in that crash, whether they were riding in the passenger vehicle, in another vehicle, or counted among nonoccupants. Anyone compiling these figures for a car accident lawyer or similar purpose should note the counts are grouped by crash location rather than residency. The statistics on this page draw from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Census Bureau population estimates.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Contents
Car accident deaths in Riverside County by year
Car accident deaths in Riverside County moved across a range of years between 2020 and 2024. The county recorded 270 deaths in 2020, 284 in 2021, 318 in 2022, 295 in 2023 and 254 in 2024. The highest year in the span was 2022, with 318 car accident deaths, while the lowest was 2024, with 254. Comparing the two ends of the period, 2024's count of 254 was 16 deaths lower than the 270 recorded in 2020.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Year | Deaths in car accidents | All traffic deaths | Share in car accidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 270 | 311 | 86.8% |
| 2021 | 284 | 326 | 87.1% |
| 2022 | 318 | 357 | 89.1% |
| 2023 | 295 | 335 | 88.1% |
| 2024 | 254 | 289 | 87.9% |
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 Riverside County car accidents
Among the 1,421 car accident deaths recorded in Riverside County from 2020 through 2024, People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 881 deaths, a 62.0% share and the majority of the total. People in other vehicles made up 157 deaths, or 11.0% of the total. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 383 deaths, a 27.0% share, covering the FARS person-type categories that include pedestrians, pedalcyclists and other or unknown nonoccupants.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
How the fatal car crashes happened
Manner of collision data for Riverside County's 1,421 car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024 shows Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport as the majority category, with 808 deaths, or 56.9% of the total. That category covers crashes whose first harmful event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport, such as striking a pedestrian, a cyclist, a parked vehicle or a fixed object, or a rollover. Among collisions with another motor vehicle in transport, Angle (side impact) crashes recorded the most deaths at 252 (17.7%), followed by Head-on at 146 (10.3%), Rear-end at 141 (9.9%) and Sideswipe at 56 (3.9%). Other and Unknown manners accounted for 13 and 5 deaths respectively.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Time of day and setting
Of the 1,421 car accident deaths recorded in Riverside County from 2020 through 2024, Nighttime hours (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) accounted for 883 deaths, a 62.1% share and the majority, while Daytime hours (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) accounted for 526 deaths, or 37.0%. Urban land use accounted for 1,140 deaths, or 80.2% of the total, compared with 277 deaths, or 19.5%, in Rural areas. Car accident deaths in crashes that also involved a large truck totaled 108, a 7.6% share of the county's car accident deaths.[1][2][3][4][5]
Car accident death rate compared with California and the United States
Riverside County's average annual rate of car accident deaths was 11.5 per 100,000 residents from 2020 through 2024. That rate is higher than California's statewide rate of 9.3 and higher than the national rate of 10.5. Among the listed neighboring counties, San Bernardino County recorded a rate of 15.9, San Diego County recorded 7.7, Orange County recorded 6.2 and Imperial County recorded 16.9, meaning Riverside County's rate was lower than San Bernardino County and Imperial County but higher than San Diego County and Orange County. This rate reflects average annual deaths per 100,000 residents and does not adjust for miles driven or for visitors to the county.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| Area | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside County, California | 1,421 | 11.5 |
| California | 18,231 | 9.3 |
| United States | 176,219 | 10.5 |
| San Bernardino County, California (neighbor) | 1,746 | 15.9 |
| San Diego County, California (neighbor) | 1,265 | 7.7 |
| Orange County, California (neighbor) | 974 | 6.2 |
| Imperial County, California (neighbor) | 152 | 16.9 |
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
Looking at all fatal crashes in Riverside County of any vehicle type, recorded characteristics show Roadway departure present in 656 deaths, or 40.5% of all traffic deaths, the largest share among the characteristics listed. Speeding-related crashes accounted for 537 deaths (33.2%), crashes At an intersection accounted for 420 deaths (26.0%), and Pedestrian involved crashes accounted for 392 deaths (24.2%). Motorcycle involved crashes accounted for 249 deaths (15.4%), Hit-and-run crashes accounted for 159 deaths (9.8%), In a work zone crashes accounted for 73 deaths (4.5%), and Driver distraction reported appeared in 66 deaths (4.1%), the smallest share listed. Since a single crash can carry several characteristics, these shares overlap and do not add to 100%.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Recorded crash characteristic (all fatal crashes) | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Share of all traffic deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding-related | 537 | 33.2% |
| Roadway departure | 656 | 40.5% |
| At an intersection | 420 | 26.0% |
| Pedestrian involved | 392 | 24.2% |
| Motorcycle involved | 249 | 15.4% |
| Hit-and-run | 159 | 9.8% |
| Driver distraction reported | 66 | 4.1% |
| In a work zone | 73 | 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
These figures come from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes that includes any crash on a public trafficway where an occupant or nonoccupant dies within 30 days. Deaths and crashes are grouped by the county where the crash occurred rather than where those killed lived. Data for 2020 through 2023 come from FARS Final Files, while the 2024 figures come from the FARS Annual Report File and may change when NHTSA issues the Final File for that year. Population-based rates divide the five-year death totals by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates for those years. FARS covers fatal crashes only, so nonfatal crashes and injuries are not part of these statistics.[8][6][7]
See also
References
- abcdefghijklmnop "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2020 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnop "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2021 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnop "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2022 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnop "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2023 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqr "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2024 national data files (Annual Report File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefg "Annual resident population estimates for counties, April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 (CO-EST2025-ALLDATA)". U.S. Census Bureau. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcde "Fatality Analysis Reporting System Analytical User's Manual, 1975-2024 (DOT HS 813 794)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- ^ "Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2024 (DOT HS 813 791, April 2026)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record