| Data years | 2020-2024[1][2][3][4][5] |
|---|---|
| Deaths in car accidents, 2020-2024 | 206[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deaths in car accidents, 2024 | 42[5] |
| Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents | 3.9[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| Population, July 1, 2024 (estimate) | 1,073,045[6] |
| 2024 data file | FARS Annual Report File[5] |
Montgomery County, Maryland recorded 206 car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024, including 42 in 2024 alone. Those 42 deaths made up 89.4% of the county's all traffic deaths that year, and across the full five-year period car accident deaths accounted for 88.8% of the 232 all traffic deaths recorded in the county.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
On this page a car accident is a fatal crash involving at least one passenger vehicle such as a car, SUV, pickup or van, and the death count includes everyone killed in those crashes, whether they were in the passenger vehicle, in another vehicle, or a nonoccupant. Anyone compiling these figures for a car accident lawyer should note that the numbers come from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System together with Census Bureau population estimates.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Contents
Car accident deaths in Montgomery County by year
Car accident deaths in Montgomery County ranged from 38 to 45 each year between 2020 and 2024. The county recorded 42 deaths in 2020, 38 in 2021, 45 in 2022, 39 in 2023, and 42 in 2024. The highest year was 2022, with 45 deaths, and the lowest year was 2021, with 38 deaths. Comparing the start and end of the period, deaths in 2020 and deaths in 2024 were both 42, so the change from 2020 to 2024 was the same.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Year | Deaths in car accidents | All traffic deaths | Share in car accidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 42 | 46 | 91.3% |
| 2021 | 38 | 43 | 88.4% |
| 2022 | 45 | 50 | 90.0% |
| 2023 | 39 | 46 | 84.8% |
| 2024 | 42 | 47 | 89.4% |
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 Montgomery County car accidents
Of the 206 car accident deaths recorded in Montgomery County from 2020 through 2024, People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 111 deaths, a 53.9% share, the majority of the total. People in other vehicles accounted for 21 deaths, a 10.2% share. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 74 deaths, a 35.9% share.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
How the fatal car crashes happened
Among manner-of-collision categories recorded for car accident deaths in Montgomery County from 2020 through 2024, Angle (side impact) crashes accounted for 46 deaths, a 22.3% share. Head-on crashes accounted for 13 deaths, or 6.3%, Rear-end crashes accounted for 14 deaths, or 6.8%, and Sideswipe crashes accounted for 6 deaths, or 2.9%. The largest category, Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport, accounted for 127 deaths, a 61.7% share. 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.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Time of day and setting
Of the 206 car accident deaths recorded in Montgomery County from 2020 through 2024, 142 occurred during Nighttime hours (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.), a 68.9% share, while 64 occurred during Daytime hours (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.), a 31.1% share. By land use, 199 deaths occurred in Urban areas, a 96.6% share, and 7 occurred in Rural areas, a 3.4% share. Car accident deaths in crashes that also involved a large truck numbered 7, a 3.4% share of the county's car accident deaths.[1][2][3][4][5]
Car accident death rate compared with Maryland and the United States
Montgomery County's average annual rate of car accident deaths was 3.9 per 100,000 residents from 2020 through 2024. That rate is lower than Maryland's rate of 8.1 and lower than the national rate of 10.5. Among the listed neighboring counties, Prince George's County, Maryland had a rate of 10.8, Fairfax County, Virginia had a rate of 3.9, the District of Columbia had a rate of 4.9, and Howard County, Maryland had a rate of 6.8. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County, Maryland | 206 | 3.9 |
| Maryland | 2,523 | 8.1 |
| United States | 176,219 | 10.5 |
| Prince George's County, Maryland (neighbor) | 520 | 10.8 |
| Fairfax County, Virginia (neighbor) | 226 | 3.9 |
| District of Columbia, District of Columbia (neighbor) | 165 | 4.9 |
| Howard County, Maryland (neighbor) | 114 | 6.8 |
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 across all fatal crashes in Montgomery County, of any vehicle type, from 2020 through 2024 show At an intersection associated with 98 deaths, a 42.2% share of all traffic deaths, the largest share among the characteristics listed. Roadway departure was associated with 81 deaths, or 34.9%, Pedestrian involved with 76 deaths, or 32.8%, and Speeding-related with 74 deaths, or 31.9%. Motorcycle involved was associated with 33 deaths, or 14.2%, Hit-and-run with 17 deaths, or 7.3%, In a work zone with 11 deaths, or 4.7%, and Driver distraction reported with 4 deaths, or 1.7%, 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 | 74 | 31.9% |
| Roadway departure | 81 | 34.9% |
| At an intersection | 98 | 42.2% |
| Pedestrian involved | 76 | 32.8% |
| Motorcycle involved | 33 | 14.2% |
| Hit-and-run | 17 | 7.3% |
| Driver distraction reported | 4 | 1.7% |
| In a work zone | 11 | 4.7% |
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 a death occurs within 30 days. Deaths are grouped by the county where the crash happened, 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 are built from Census Bureau population estimates and represent deaths per 100,000 residents, not adjusted for miles driven or visitors. FARS covers fatal crashes only; nonfatal crashes and injuries are not part of this count.[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