North Dakota car accident statistics (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in North Dakota by year

Annual car accident deaths went from 78 in 2020 to 85 in 2021, then fell to 71 in 2022. The count returned to 85 in 2023 before falling to 69 in 2024. The highest count was shared by 2021 and 2023; 2024 had the lowest count. Deaths in 2024 were 9 lower than in 2020.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The share of all traffic deaths attributed to these crashes was 78.0% in 2020, 84.2% in 2021, 72.4% in 2022, 80.2% in 2023 and 76.7% in 2024. North Dakota's displayed share of the national car accident death total was 0.2% each year. For 2020 through 2024, its share was also 0.2%, against a national count of 176,219 deaths.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

2024 figures come from the FARS Annual Report File and can be revised when NHTSA publishes the final file.

Who died in North Dakota car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 313 deaths, or 80.7% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category and represented the majority of deaths in the selected crashes. People in other vehicles accounted for 39 deaths, or 10.1%. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 36 deaths, or 9.3%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

These categories describe the people killed in fatal crashes involving a passenger vehicle. The Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) label follows the FARS classification; it is not a literal test of whether someone was outside a vehicle.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Collision types and setting

By first harmful event, Angle (side impact) recorded 112 deaths; Head-on, 55; Rear-end, 36; Sideswipe, 9; Other, 3; and Unknown, 1. Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport recorded 172 deaths (44.3%). That row includes first events such as rollovers or impacts with fixed objects, parked vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists. Vehicles in transport can be stopped in traffic.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Daytime accounted for 188 car accident deaths (48.5%), nighttime for 163 (42.0%), and unknown time for 37 (9.5%). Urban locations recorded 82 deaths (21.1%), while rural locations recorded 306 (78.9%). These are death counts classified by collision manner, time or land use, rather than counts of fatal crashes.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Counties with the most car accident deaths

Cass County had the most car accident deaths, with 36, followed by Morton County with 30 and Burleigh County with 26. Grand Forks County, Rolette County and Ward County each recorded 25 deaths. Williams County recorded 23, McKenzie County 19, Benson County 18, Mountrail County 16 and Stark County 15. Richland County and Stutsman County each recorded 11; McHenry County recorded 8 and Barnes County 7.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Rates give a separate comparison from those death counts. Among the listed counties, Benson County had the highest average annual deaths per 100,000 residents at 62.1, while Cass County had the lowest at 3.7. The table lists counties with the most deaths during 2020 through 2024. Its rate rankings do not establish rankings across all counties statewide.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Up to 15 counties with the most deaths in the period, largest first. Rates for counties with few deaths change sharply with each death.

How North Dakota compares with the national rate

North Dakota's car accident death rate was 9.9 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. The national rate was 10.5, placing the state below the national figure. The corresponding death counts were 388 in North Dakota and 176,219 across the United States.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Each rate divides deaths during the period by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates for those years, then multiplies by 100,000. It does not adjust for miles driven or visitors. North Dakota's separately displayed July 1, 2024 population estimate of 793,387 is not the denominator used for the period's rate. For readers searching for a car accident lawyer, keep the distinction between death counts and population-based rates in view.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

About these figures

NHTSA's census covering fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes is FARS. To qualify for inclusion, a crash must involve a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public, with a vehicle occupant or nonoccupant dying within 30 days. Neither nonfatal crashes nor injuries are included. Counts for states and counties are assigned according to where the crash occurred, not where the person killed lived.^[8][6][7]

Data for 2020 through 2023 come from FARS Final Files; 2024 uses the Annual Report File and may change when finalized. Rates use summed annual Census Bureau population estimates, Vintage 2025, to express average annual deaths per 100,000 residents. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors; the separately shown July 1, 2024 population is not their denominator.^[8][6][7]

See also

• FARS Annual Report File and Final File