Car accident statistics for Davidson County, Tennessee (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Davidson County by year

Car accident deaths rose from 88 in 2020 to 116 in 2021 and 119 in 2022. The count then fell to 118 in 2023 and 102 in 2024. The highest count was 119 in 2022, while the lowest was 88 in 2020. The 2024 count was 14 deaths higher than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

All traffic deaths numbered 114 in 2020, 131 in 2021, 136 in 2022, 138 in 2023 and 114 in 2024. The share attributed to car accidents was 77.2%, 88.5%, 87.5%, 85.5% and 89.5%, respectively. Although 2022 had the highest car accident death count, 2024 had the highest share of all traffic deaths in this series.^{[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 Davidson County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 353 deaths, or 65.0% of car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 43 deaths, or 7.9%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 147 deaths, or 27.1%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Each category counts deaths in fatal crashes involving a passenger vehicle, rather than deaths restricted to passenger vehicle occupants. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) follows the FARS classification; that classification can include occupants of parked motor vehicles.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

Angle (side impact) collisions accounted for 110 deaths, or 20.3%; Head-on for 73, or 13.4%; Rear-end for 33, or 6.1%; and Sideswipe for 24, or 4.4%. Other accounted for 1 death, or 0.2%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 302 deaths, or 55.6%. This describes the first harmful event, such as a rollover or striking a fixed object, parked vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist, rather than a collision between motor vehicles in transport. A vehicle stopped in traffic can be in transport, so physical movement does not define this car accident classification.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Time of day and setting

Daytime (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) accounted for 180 car accident deaths, or 33.1%, during 2020 through 2024. Nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) accounted for 351 deaths, or 64.6%. The Unknown time category contained 12 deaths, or 2.2%. Nighttime had the largest share.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The land-use classification recorded 512 deaths, or 94.3%, as Urban and 31 deaths, or 5.7%, as Rural. These categories refer to crash locations. Crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 40 car accident deaths, or 7.4% of the county's car accident deaths.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Tennessee and the United States

Davidson County's car accident death rate was 15.1 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. Tennessee's rate was 15.6, and the United States rate was 10.5. The county rate was lower than the state rate and higher than the national rate.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Among the listed neighboring counties, Wilson County had a rate of 12.7 and Rutherford County had a rate of 10.0. Davidson County's rate was higher than each. These rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates for the period and multiply by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors. The separate 2024 population estimate of 736,623 is not the county rate's denominator.^{[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

These characteristics cover all fatal crashes in Davidson County, of any vehicle type. Shares use all traffic deaths, not just car accident deaths. Speeding-related recorded 162 deaths (25.6%); Roadway departure, 271 (42.8%); At an intersection, 134 (21.2%); and Pedestrian involved, 193 (30.5%).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Motorcycle involved recorded 68 deaths (10.7%); Hit-and-run, 106 (16.7%); Driver distraction reported, 22 (3.5%); and In a work zone, 7 (1.1%). A crash can have several recorded characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These 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. Inclusion requires a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. County counts follow crash location, not residence. If you are reading with a car accident lawyer in mind, keep that location grouping in view.^[8][6][7]

The 2020 through 2023 figures use FARS Final Files. The 2024 Annual Report File figures may change when replaced by the Final File. Rate calculations use summed annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025. The separate July 1, 2024 estimate is not the rate denominator.^[8][6][7]

See also

• Car accident statistics for Rutherford County, Tennessee (2020-2024)
• Tennessee car accident statistics (2020-2024)