Car accident statistics for Cumberland County, North Carolina (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Cumberland County by year

Car accident deaths rose from 46 in 2020 to 54 in 2021, then fell to 38 in 2022. The count rose to 46 in 2023 and reached 54 in 2024. The highest count was shared by 2021 and 2024, while 2022 had the lowest count. The 2024 count was 8 deaths higher than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

All traffic deaths numbered 56 in 2020, 59 in 2021, 44 in 2022, 52 in 2023 and 59 in 2024. Car accident deaths represented 82.1%, 91.5%, 86.4%, 88.5% and 91.5% of those respective annual totals. These annual figures count deaths rather than the number of fatal crashes.^{[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 Cumberland County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 136 deaths, or 57.1% of car accident deaths in Cumberland County from 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 35 deaths, or 14.7%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 67 deaths, or 28.2%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Each category counts deaths in crashes involving a passenger vehicle. The FARS nonoccupant grouping is a person-type classification, not a literal test of position outside a vehicle. Its other category can include occupants of parked motor vehicles.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

By manner of collision, Angle (side impact) accounted for 60 car accident deaths, or 25.2%; Head-on for 31, or 13.0%; Rear-end for 13, or 5.5%; and Sideswipe for 6, or 2.5%. Unknown accounted for 1 death, or 0.4%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 127 deaths, or 53.4%. This classification describes the first harmful event: examples include striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover. It does not mean another vehicle had to be physically moving to qualify as a collision with a motor vehicle in transport. A vehicle stopped in traffic can qualify.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Time of day and setting

Nighttime, defined as 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., accounted for 137 car accident deaths, or 57.6%, from 2020 through 2024. Daytime, from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., accounted for 101 deaths, or 42.4%. The nighttime count was higher than the daytime count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The urban classification recorded 148 deaths, or 62.2%, while rural recorded 89 deaths, or 37.4%. Land use was unknown for 1 death, or 0.4%. Separately, crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 21 car accident deaths, representing 8.8% of the county's car accident deaths.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with North Carolina and the United States

Cumberland County's car accident death rate was 14.1 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. North Carolina's rate was 13.4, and the national rate was 10.5. The county rate was higher than both. Among the listed neighboring counties, Robeson County had a rate of 44.4 and Harnett County had a rate of 20.4. Cumberland County's rate was lower than each listed neighbor's rate.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

These rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates and multiply by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors. The county's separately displayed 2024 population estimate of 337,248 is not the denominator used for its rate.^{[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 Cumberland County, of any vehicle type, rather than only car accident deaths. Shares use all traffic deaths: Speeding-related, 35.6%; Roadway departure, 40.0%; At an intersection, 28.1%; Pedestrian involved, 27.0%; Motorcycle involved, 19.6%; Hit-and-run, 5.9%; Driver distraction reported, 2.6%; and In a work zone, 4.1%.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Roadway departure had the largest share of the listed characteristics, while Driver distraction reported had the smallest. A crash can have several recorded characteristics, so these 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 involving a motor vehicle on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. Counts follow crash location, not the deceased person's home. Readers searching for a car accident lawyer should keep that location grouping in mind when reading these counts.^[8][6][7]

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

See also

• North Carolina car accident statistics (2020-2024)