Tennessee car accident statistics (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Tennessee by year

Car accident deaths increased from 1,045 in 2020 to 1,144 in 2021 and 1,152 in 2022. The count then fell to 1,133 in 2023 and 1,025 in 2024. Within this period, 2022 had the highest count and 2024 had the lowest. The 2024 count was 20 deaths lower than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Tennessee accounted for 3.1% of the national car accident death total for 2020 through 2024. Its annual share was 3.1% in 2020, 2021 and 2022, increased to 3.2% in 2023, and returned to 3.1% in 2024. The national total for the period was 176,219 deaths. The 2024 figures remain subject to revision.^{[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 Tennessee car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 4,239 deaths, or 77.1% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 532 deaths, or 9.7%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 728 deaths, or 13.2%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Each category counts deaths in the selected passenger-vehicle-involved fatal crashes. The Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) label follows FARS classifications rather than a literal test of whether someone was outside a vehicle. That grouping can include occupants of parked motor vehicles.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Collision types and setting

By first harmful event, car accident deaths were: Angle (side impact), 1,352; Head-on, 811; Rear-end, 409; Sideswipe, 171; Other, 15; and Unknown, 6. Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 2,735 deaths. That row includes first harmful events such as striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover. Vehicles in transport can be stopped in traffic.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Daytime accounted for 2,618 deaths (47.6%), nighttime for 2,694 (49.0%), and unknown time for 187 (3.4%). Urban classifications recorded 3,364 deaths (61.2%); rural classifications recorded 2,134 (38.8%). Unknown land use accounted for 1 death (0.0%).^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Counties with the most car accident deaths

Shelby County had the most car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024, with 1,069, followed by Davidson County with 543. Knox County recorded 312 deaths, Hamilton County 204, and Rutherford County 181. The remaining listed counts were Montgomery County, 128; Madison County, 103; Wilson County, 101; Sullivan County, 90; Sumner County, 87; Greene County, 80; Robertson County, 76; Blount County, 74; Williamson County, 74; and Sevier County, 73.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Death counts and population-based rates are separate measures. Among the listed counties, Shelby County had the highest average annual rate at 23.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, while Williamson County had the lowest at 5.7. These rate rankings apply only to the listed counties.^{[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 Tennessee compares with the national rate

Tennessee's car accident death rate was 15.6, compared with the national rate of 10.5. Both figures measure average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. Tennessee's rate was higher than the national rate. The corresponding death counts were 5,499 for Tennessee and 176,219 for the United States.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

The calculation divides deaths during the period by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates, then multiplies by 100,000. It does not adjust for miles driven or visitors. Tennessee's separately displayed 2024 population estimate of 7,251,291 is not the rate's denominator. For readers searching for a car accident lawyer, keep these population-based rates distinct from death counts.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

About these figures

NHTSA's census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes is FARS. For inclusion, a motor vehicle must be traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public, and an occupant or nonoccupant must die within 30 days. Neither nonfatal crashes nor injuries are included. Counts for states and counties are based on where the crash occurred, not where people reside.^[8][6][7]

The 2020 through 2023 records are Final Files; 2024 uses the Annual Report File and may change when finalized. Rates use deaths divided by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025, multiplied by 100,000. These are average annual deaths per 100,000 residents, without adjustment for miles driven or visitors. The separately shown July 1, 2024 population is not the denominator.^[8][6][7]

See also

• FARS Annual Report File and Final File
• Car accident statistics for Shelby County, Tennessee (2020-2024)
• Car accident statistics for Davidson County, Tennessee (2020-2024)
• Car accident statistics for Knox County, Tennessee (2020-2024)
• Car accident statistics for Hamilton County, Tennessee (2020-2024)
• Car accident statistics for Rutherford County, Tennessee (2020-2024)