Car accident statistics for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Allegheny County by year

Car accident deaths in Allegheny County ranged from 44 in 2020 to 71 in 2022 across the five years studied. The count rose from 44 in 2020 to 61 in 2021, then climbed again to 71 in 2022 before falling to 61 in 2023 and reaching 65 in 2024. The highest year was 2022, with 71 deaths, and the lowest was 2020, with 44 deaths. Between 2020 and 2024, the yearly count was 21 deaths higher, moving from 44 to 65. The share of all traffic deaths that were car accident deaths also shifted across these years, reaching 89.7% in 2021 and 73.3% in 2020.^{[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 Allegheny County car accidents

Among the 302 car accident deaths recorded in Allegheny County from 2020 through 2024, People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 201 deaths, a share of 66.6%, making up the majority of this total. People in other vehicles made up 35 deaths, or 11.6%. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 66 deaths, a share of 21.9%, reflecting people such as pedestrians and pedalcyclists along with other or unknown nonoccupant categories under FARS classification.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

Manner of collision data for Allegheny County's 302 car accident deaths shows Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport as the largest category, with 171 deaths, a share of 56.6%, making up the majority of this total. This category covers crashes whose first harmful event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport, including striking a pedestrian, a cyclist, a parked vehicle or a fixed object, or a rollover. Among collisions with another motor vehicle in transport, Angle (side impact) crashes recorded 56 deaths, Head-on crashes 41, Rear-end crashes 18, and Sideswipe crashes 13. Other and Unknown categories accounted for 2 and 1 deaths respectively.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Time of day and setting

Car accident deaths in Allegheny County split closely between times of day: Nighttime hours (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) recorded 153 deaths, a share of 50.7%, compared with 149 deaths during Daytime hours (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.), a share of 49.3%. Urban land use accounted for 292 deaths, a share of 96.7%, while Rural land use accounted for 10 deaths, a share of 3.3%. Car accident deaths in crashes that also involved a large truck numbered 21, a share of 7.0% of all car accident deaths in the county.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Pennsylvania and the United States

Allegheny County's average annual rate of car accident deaths was 4.9 per 100,000 residents from 2020 through 2024. This rate is lower than Pennsylvania's rate of 7.5, lower than the national rate of 10.5, and lower than the listed neighboring Westmoreland County rate of 6.8. Among the areas compared, the lowest rate belongs to Allegheny County at 4.9, while the United States recorded the highest at 10.5. This figure 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]}

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

Looking at all fatal crashes in Allegheny County, of any vehicle type, as shares of all traffic deaths, Roadway departure was recorded in 175 deaths, a share of 48.2%, the largest of the characteristics listed. Speeding-related crashes accounted for 140 deaths, or 38.6%, and crashes At an intersection accounted for 95 deaths, or 26.2%. Pedestrian involved crashes reached 72 deaths, 19.8%, and Motorcycle involved crashes reached 67 deaths, 18.5%. Hit-and-run and Driver distraction reported crashes each accounted for 17 deaths, 4.7%, while In a work zone crashes accounted for 8 deaths, 2.2%, the smallest share listed. Since a single crash can carry several characteristics, these shares overlap rather than add to 100%.^{[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

These statistics draw on NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes occurring on public trafficways where a vehicle occupant or nonoccupant dies within 30 days. Deaths are grouped by the county where the crash happened, not by where those killed lived. Data for 2020 through 2023 come from FARS Final Files, while 2024 figures come from the FARS Annual Report File and may be revised once NHTSA issues the Final File. Rates are calculated by dividing 2020 to 2024 deaths by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates, producing an average annual figure that does not account for miles driven or for visitors. FARS covers fatal crashes only; nonfatal crashes and injuries fall outside its scope.^[8][6][7]

See also

• Pennsylvania car accident statistics (2020-2024)

On related publications

• Truck accident statistics for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (2020-2024) (truckaccidentlawyer.wiki)