| Data years | 2020-2024[1][2][3][4][5] |
|---|---|
| Deaths in car accidents, 2020-2024 | 933[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deaths in car accidents, 2024 | 191[5] |
| Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents | 12.2[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| Population, July 1, 2024 (estimate) | 1,574,148[6] |
| 2024 data file | FARS Annual Report File[5] |
Palm Beach County, Florida recorded 933 car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024, including 191 in 2024 alone. Those 191 deaths made up 89.3% of all traffic deaths in the county that year, and across the full five-year span car accident deaths accounted for 89.8% of the 1,039 total traffic deaths recorded.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
On this page, a car accident is a fatal crash involving at least one passenger vehicle, a category that covers passenger cars, SUVs, pickups and vans. The deaths counted include everyone killed in those crashes, whether they were riding in the passenger vehicle, riding in another vehicle, or counted as a nonoccupant. Figures come from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System and from Census Bureau population estimates.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Contents
Car accident deaths in Palm Beach County by year
Car accident deaths in Palm Beach County moved across a range of totals between 2020 and 2024. The count stood at 163 in 2020, rose to 198 in 2021, then rose again to 205 in 2022. It fell to 176 in 2023 before rising to 191 in 2024.[1][2][3][4][5]
Among these five years, 2022 recorded the highest count at 205 deaths, while 2020 recorded the lowest at 163 deaths. The 2024 total of 191 deaths is 28 deaths higher than the 2020 total.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Year | Deaths in car accidents | All traffic deaths | Share in car accidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 163 | 184 | 88.6% |
| 2021 | 198 | 215 | 92.1% |
| 2022 | 205 | 232 | 88.4% |
| 2023 | 176 | 194 | 90.7% |
| 2024 | 191 | 214 | 89.3% |
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 Palm Beach County car accidents
Of the 933 car accident deaths recorded in Palm Beach County from 2020 through 2024, People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 527 deaths, a 56.5% share and the majority of the total. People in other vehicles accounted for 132 deaths, or 14.1%. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 274 deaths, or 29.4% of the total.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
How the fatal car crashes happened
Among the manner-of-collision categories recorded for car accident deaths in Palm Beach County from 2020 through 2024, Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounts for 507 deaths, a 54.3% share and the majority of the total. This category describes crashes whose first harmful event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport, such as striking a pedestrian or cyclist, hitting a parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover. Of the 933 car accident deaths, Angle (side impact) collisions account for 240 deaths (25.7%), Rear-end for 101 (10.8%), Head-on for 64 (6.9%) and Sideswipe for 20 (2.1%). Unknown accounts for 1 death.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Time of day and setting
Of the 933 car accident deaths recorded in Palm Beach County from 2020 through 2024, 537 occurred during nighttime hours (57.6%) and 396 occurred during daytime hours (42.4%). By land use, 851 deaths occurred in urban areas (91.2%) and 77 occurred in rural areas (8.3%), with 5 of unknown land use. Car accident deaths in crashes that also involved a large truck numbered 64, a 6.9% share of the county's car accident deaths.[1][2][3][4][5]
Car accident death rate compared with Florida and the United States
Palm Beach County's average annual rate of car accident deaths is 12.2 per 100,000 residents. This figure is lower than the Florida rate of 13.3 and higher than the national rate of 10.5. Among the listed neighboring counties, Broward County, Florida has a rate of 11.1 and Martin County, Florida has a rate of 13.2, meaning Palm Beach County's rate falls between the two. This is an average annual rate of deaths per 100,000 residents, and it 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach County, Florida | 933 | 12.2 |
| Florida | 14,871 | 13.3 |
| United States | 176,219 | 10.5 |
| Broward County, Florida (neighbor) | 1,097 | 11.1 |
| Martin County, Florida (neighbor) | 107 | 13.2 |
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 recorded characteristics across all fatal crashes in Palm Beach County, of any vehicle type, At an intersection is associated with 403 deaths, a 38.8% share of all traffic deaths, the largest share among the characteristics listed. Roadway departure is tied to 310 deaths (29.8%), Pedestrian involved to 269 deaths (25.9%), Motorcycle involved to 161 deaths (15.5%), and Speeding-related to 156 deaths (15.0%). Hit-and-run accounts for 94 deaths (9.0%), Driver distraction reported for 47 (4.5%), and In a work zone for 16 (1.5%), the smallest share listed. Since a single crash can carry more than one characteristic, 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 | 156 | 15.0% |
| Roadway departure | 310 | 29.8% |
| At an intersection | 403 | 38.8% |
| Pedestrian involved | 269 | 25.9% |
| Motorcycle involved | 161 | 15.5% |
| Hit-and-run | 94 | 9.0% |
| Driver distraction reported | 47 | 4.5% |
| In a work zone | 16 | 1.5% |
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 on trafficways customarily open to the public where someone dies within 30 days. Deaths are grouped by the county where the crash occurred, not by where the people 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 be revised when NHTSA issues the Final File. Rates divide 2020-2024 deaths by summed annual population estimates, producing an average annual rate per 100,000 residents that does not account for miles driven or visitor traffic. Readers using this page, including any car accident lawyer reviewing it, should note that FARS covers fatal crashes only; nonfatal crashes and injuries are not part of these counts.[8][6][7]
See also
- Car accident statistics for Broward County, Florida (2020-2024)
- Florida car accident statistics (2020-2024)
On related publications
- Truck accident statistics for Palm Beach County, Florida (2020-2024) (truckaccidentlawyer.wiki)
References
- abcdefghijklmnopq "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2020 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopq "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2021 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopq "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2022 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopq "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2023 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrs "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