Car accident statistics for Orleans Parish, Louisiana (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Orleans Parish by year

Car accident deaths rose from 41 in 2020 to 55 in 2021 and reached 59 in 2022. The count then fell to 50 in 2023 and 46 in 2024. The highest count was in 2022, while 2020 had the lowest. Despite the declines after 2022, the 2024 count was 5 deaths higher than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

All traffic deaths followed counts of 51, 69, 74, 60 and 60 from 2020 through 2024. The share attributed to passenger-vehicle-involved crashes was 80.4% in 2020, 79.7% in 2021, 79.7% in 2022, 83.3% in 2023 and 76.7% in 2024. That share was highest in 2023 and lowest in 2024.^{[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 Orleans Parish car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 132 deaths, or 52.6% of car accident deaths in Orleans Parish from 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 21 deaths, or 8.4%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 98 deaths, or 39.0%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

These labels classify people killed in the selected passenger-vehicle-involved crashes. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) follows the FARS classification rather than a literal test of vehicle position; the grouping can include occupants of parked motor vehicles.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

By first harmful event, Angle (side impact) accounted for 40 deaths (15.9%); Head-on, 9 (3.6%); Rear-end, 24 (9.6%); and Sideswipe, 6 (2.4%). Other accounted for 5 deaths (2.0%), and Unknown for 1 (0.4%).^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 166 deaths (66.1%), the largest category. 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; physical movement does not determine this classification.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Time of day and setting

Daytime (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) accounted for 75 car accident deaths (29.9%) during 2020 through 2024. Nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) accounted for 171 (68.1%), the majority of deaths. Time of day was Unknown for 5 deaths (2.0%).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The land-use classification was Urban for 233 deaths (92.8%) and Rural for 15 (6.0%). Another 3 deaths (1.2%) had an Unknown land-use classification. Separately, crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 12 car accident deaths, or 4.8% of the parish's passenger-vehicle-involved death count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Louisiana and the United States

Orleans Parish's rate was 13.5 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. It was lower than Louisiana's rate of 16.2 and higher than the national rate of 10.5. The corresponding death counts were 251 for the parish, 3,734 for Louisiana and 176,219 for the United States.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Among the listed neighboring counties, St. Tammany Parish had a rate of 11.2 and 152 deaths, while Jefferson Parish had a rate of 6.7 and 145 deaths. Orleans Parish's rate was higher than both listed neighbors. These car accident rates use deaths divided by the sum of annual population estimates, multiplied by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.^{[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 Orleans Parish, of any vehicle type. Shares use all traffic deaths: Speeding-related, 53 deaths (16.9%); Roadway departure, 109 (34.7%); At an intersection, 118 (37.6%); Pedestrian involved, 113 (36.0%); Motorcycle involved, 44 (14.0%); Hit-and-run, 66 (21.0%); Driver distraction reported, 21 (6.7%); and In a work zone, 2 (0.6%).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

These figures have a broader scope than the car accident count. A crash can carry several recorded characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. The classifications 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. Inclusion requires a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. Whether reading for statistics or searching for a car accident lawyer, interpret these counts by crash location, not where those killed lived.^[8][6][7]

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

See also

• Car accident statistics for St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana (2020-2024)
• Louisiana car accident statistics (2020-2024)