Car accident statistics for Worcester County, Massachusetts (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Worcester County by year

Annual car accident deaths rose from 31 in 2020 to 50 in 2021, then reached 73 in 2022. The count fell to 41 in 2023 and rose to 43 in 2024. The highest count was in 2022, and the lowest was in 2020. The 2024 count was 12 deaths higher than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

All traffic deaths followed the same sequence of increases and decreases: 33 in 2020, 59 in 2021, 78 in 2022, 45 in 2023 and 49 in 2024. The share attributed to car accidents was 93.9%, 84.7%, 93.6%, 91.1% and 87.8%, respectively. That share was highest in 2020 and lowest in 2021.^{[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 Worcester County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 174 deaths, or 73.1% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 25 deaths and 10.5%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 39 deaths and 16.4%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Each category counts deaths in the selected passenger-vehicle-involved crashes. The Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) label follows the FARS classification rather than a literal test of position relative to a vehicle; it can include occupants of parked motor vehicles.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

Head-on collisions accounted for 54 car accident deaths, or 22.7%; Angle (side impact) accounted for 35 and 14.7%. Rear-end recorded 11 deaths and 4.6%, Sideswipe recorded 7 and 2.9%, and Other recorded 1 and 0.4%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 130 deaths, or 54.6%. Manner of collision describes the first harmful event. For this row, that event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport; examples include a rollover or striking a fixed object or parked vehicle. A motor vehicle in transport can be stopped in traffic, so physical movement is not the distinction.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Time of day and setting

Daytime, defined as 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., accounted for 108 car accident deaths and 45.4%. Nighttime, from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., accounted for 129 deaths and 54.2%. Time of day was unknown for 1 death, or 0.4%. Nighttime had the larger count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The land-use grouping recorded 207 deaths in urban locations, or 87.0%, and 30 in rural locations, or 12.6%. Land use was unknown for 1 death, or 0.4%. Car accident deaths in crashes that also involved a large truck numbered 17, representing 7.1% of the selected deaths.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Massachusetts and the United States

The Worcester County car accident death rate was 5.5 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. Massachusetts recorded 4.7, while the United States recorded 10.5. The county rate was higher than the state rate and lower than the national rate.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Among the listed neighboring counties, rates were 3.0 in Middlesex County, Massachusetts; 8.8 in Hampden County, Massachusetts; 5.0 in Norfolk County, Massachusetts; and 4.7 in Providence County, Rhode Island. Hampden County had the highest rate among the listed neighboring counties, and Middlesex County had the lowest. These rates use deaths and annual Census population estimates for the reporting period. 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 Worcester County, of any vehicle type, rather than only car accidents. Shares use all traffic deaths. Speeding-related recorded 72 deaths (27.3%); Roadway departure, 140 (53.0%); At an intersection, 45 (17.0%); and Pedestrian involved, 38 (14.4%).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Motorcycle involved recorded 39 deaths (14.8%); Hit-and-run, 6 (2.3%); Driver distraction reported, 26 (9.8%); and In a work zone, 2 (0.8%). A crash can carry several characteristics, so these rows overlap and their shares are not additive. The entries describe recorded characteristics, without establishing 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 on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. Whether reading for statistical reference or searching for a car accident lawyer, keep the grouping in view: crash location determines the county, not residence.^[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 population estimates, Vintage 2025, and multiply by 100,000. The separate July 1, 2024 population 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 Hampden County, Massachusetts (2020-2024)
• Car accident statistics for Middlesex County, Massachusetts (2020-2024)
• Car accident statistics for Norfolk County, Massachusetts (2020-2024)
• Massachusetts car accident statistics (2020-2024)

On related publications

• Truck accident statistics for Worcester County, Massachusetts (2020-2024) (truckaccidentlawyer.wiki)