| Data years | 2020-2024[1][2][3][4][5] |
|---|---|
| Deaths in car accidents, 2020-2024 | 599[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deaths in car accidents, 2024 | 121[5] |
| Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents | 7.6[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| Population, July 1, 2024 (estimate) | 1,572,735[6] |
| 2024 data file | FARS Annual Report File[5] |
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania recorded 599 car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024, out of 713 traffic deaths in that span, a share of 84.0%. In 2024 alone, the county logged 121 car accident deaths. These figures cover crashes where a passenger vehicle, SUV, pickup or van was involved and at least one person died within 30 days, whether that person was riding in the passenger vehicle, in another vehicle, or was a nonoccupant.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
The numbers on this page come from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes, paired with Census Bureau population estimates used to calculate rates. Anyone researching these figures, including a car accident lawyer reviewing county-level patterns, should note that counts are grouped by where the crash happened rather than by the home address of the people killed.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Contents
- Car accident deaths in Philadelphia County by year
- Who died in Philadelphia County car accidents
- How the fatal car crashes happened
- Time of day and setting
- Car accident death rate compared with Pennsylvania and the United States
- Recorded characteristics of all fatal crashes
- About these figures
- See also
- References
Car accident deaths in Philadelphia County by year
Car accident deaths in Philadelphia County ranged from 102 to 138 a year between 2020 and 2024. The county recorded 138 deaths in 2020, 102 in 2021, 123 in 2022, 115 in 2023 and 121 in 2024. The highest year in this span was 2020, with 138 deaths, while the lowest was 2021, with 102 deaths. Deaths in car accidents fell from 2020 to 2021, rose into 2022, fell again in 2023 and rose once more in 2024. From 2020 to 2024, the yearly count was 17 deaths lower, moving from 138 to 121.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Year | Deaths in car accidents | All traffic deaths | Share in car accidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 138 | 166 | 83.1% |
| 2021 | 102 | 133 | 76.7% |
| 2022 | 123 | 142 | 86.6% |
| 2023 | 115 | 135 | 85.2% |
| 2024 | 121 | 137 | 88.3% |
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 Philadelphia County car accidents
Among the 599 car accident deaths recorded in Philadelphia County from 2020 through 2024, People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 277 deaths, a share of 46.2%. People in other vehicles accounted for 98 deaths, or 16.4%. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 224 deaths, a share of 37.4%. Of these three categories, People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans was the largest and People in other vehicles was the smallest.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
How the fatal car crashes happened
Among the manners of collision recorded for Philadelphia County's 599 car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024, Angle (side impact) accounted for 146 deaths (24.4%), Head-on for 27 (4.5%), Rear-end for 37 (6.2%) and Sideswipe for 26 (4.3%). The category Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 360 deaths, a majority at 60.1%. This 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. The Other category accounted for 3 deaths, or 0.5%.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Time of day and setting
Of the 599 car accident deaths recorded in Philadelphia County from 2020 through 2024, 413 occurred during nighttime hours (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.), a share of 68.9%, while 186 occurred during daytime hours (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.), or 31.1%. Urban land use accounted for 598 of the deaths, a share of 99.8%, with 0 recorded in rural areas. Crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 16 of the county's car accident deaths, a share of 2.7%.[1][2][3][4][5]
Car accident death rate compared with Pennsylvania and the United States
Philadelphia County's average annual rate works out to 7.6 deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. That rate is higher than Pennsylvania's statewide rate of 7.5 and lower than the national rate of 10.5. Among the listed neighboring counties, Bucks County, Pennsylvania recorded a rate of 7.0, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania recorded 4.9, Camden County, New Jersey recorded 7.8 and Burlington County, New Jersey recorded 8.1. Among those neighbors, the highest rate belongs to Burlington County and the lowest to Montgomery County. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania | 599 | 7.6 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,869 | 7.5 |
| United States | 176,219 | 10.5 |
| Bucks County, Pennsylvania (neighbor) | 227 | 7.0 |
| Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (neighbor) | 212 | 4.9 |
| Camden County, New Jersey (neighbor) | 206 | 7.8 |
| Burlington County, New Jersey (neighbor) | 190 | 8.1 |
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 Philadelphia County, of any vehicle type, as shares of all traffic deaths, At an intersection was recorded in 320 deaths, a share of 44.9%, the largest share among the characteristics listed. Speeding-related crashes accounted for 268 deaths (37.6%), Roadway departure for 211 (29.6%), Pedestrian involved for 264 (37.0%), Motorcycle involved for 127 (17.8%) and Hit-and-run for 163 (22.9%). Driver distraction reported accounted for 12 deaths (1.7%) and In a work zone accounted for 4 deaths (0.6%), the smallest share listed. Because a single crash can carry several of these characteristics, the rows 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 | 268 | 37.6% |
| Roadway departure | 211 | 29.6% |
| At an intersection | 320 | 44.9% |
| Pedestrian involved | 264 | 37.0% |
| Motorcycle involved | 127 | 17.8% |
| Hit-and-run | 163 | 22.9% |
| Driver distraction reported | 12 | 1.7% |
| In a work zone | 4 | 0.6% |
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 in which a vehicle traveling on a public trafficway was involved and someone died within 30 days. Crashes are grouped by the county where they 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 Annual Report File and may change when NHTSA issues the Final File for that year. Rates divide 2020-2024 deaths by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates and multiply by 100,000, without adjusting 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