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

Car accident deaths in Hamilton County by year

Car accident deaths rose from 41 in 2020 to 44 in 2021, then fell to 42 in 2022. The count rose to 43 in 2023 before falling to 34 in 2024. The highest count was 44 in 2021, and the lowest was 34 in 2024. The 2024 count was 7 deaths lower than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

All traffic deaths numbered 45 in 2020, 51 in 2021, 47 in 2022, 51 in 2023 and 39 in 2024. The corresponding shares attributed to car accidents were 91.1%, 86.3%, 89.4%, 84.3% and 87.2%. The highest share was recorded in 2020; the lowest share was recorded in 2023.^{[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 Hamilton County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 141 deaths, or 69.1% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 29 deaths, or 14.2%, making it the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 34 deaths, or 16.7%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

These labels classify the people who died in the selected passenger-vehicle-involved crashes. The Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) label follows the FARS classification; it does not establish whether a person was physically outside a vehicle.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

Angle (side impact) accounted for 40 deaths, or 19.6%; Head-on accounted for 30, or 14.7%. Rear-end recorded 16 deaths, or 7.8%, and Sideswipe recorded 7, or 3.4%. Other recorded 2 deaths, or 1.0%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport recorded 109 deaths, or 53.4%. This describes a first harmful event other than a collision between motor vehicles in transport, such as striking a parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover. The classification concerns the first harmful event. A motor vehicle in transport can be stopped in traffic, so physical movement is not the test.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Time of day and setting

Daytime (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) accounted for 97 car accident deaths, or 47.5%, during 2020 through 2024. Nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) accounted for 104 deaths, or 51.0%. Time of day was Unknown for 3 deaths, or 1.5%. The nighttime count was higher than the daytime count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The land-use classification assigned 190 deaths, or 93.1%, to Urban and 14 deaths, or 6.9%, to Rural. Car accident deaths in crashes that also involved a large truck numbered 25, representing 12.3% of the county's car accident deaths.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Tennessee and the United States

Hamilton County's car accident death rate was 10.8 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. The corresponding death counts were 204 for Hamilton County, 5,499 for Tennessee and 176,219 for the United States.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

These rates divide deaths during the period by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates and multiply by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors. The county's 2024 population estimate of 387,268 is shown separately; it is not the denominator used for the rate.^{[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

Recorded characteristics cover all fatal crashes in Hamilton County, of any vehicle type. Shares use all traffic deaths: Speeding-related, 29.6%; Roadway departure, 51.9%; At an intersection, 19.3%; Pedestrian involved, 16.7%; Motorcycle involved, 18.5%; Hit-and-run, 10.3%; Driver distraction reported, 5.6%; and In a work zone, 5.2%.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

These percentages describe the full fatal-crash dataset, rather than only crashes meeting the car accident definition. A crash can have several recorded characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. The entries are recorded characteristics, 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 counts fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes on trafficways customarily open to the public when a vehicle occupant or nonoccupant dies within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. Whether reading for statistical reference or searching for a car accident lawyer, keep the location grouping in mind: counts follow where crashes happened, not where people lived.^[8][6][7]

The 2020 through 2023 figures use FARS Final Files. The 2024 Annual Report File may change when replaced by the Final File. Rates use summed annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025, rather than the separately shown July 1, 2024 estimate, to express average annual deaths per 100,000 residents.^[8][6][7]

See also

• Tennessee car accident statistics (2020-2024)

On related publications

• Truck accident statistics for Hamilton County, Tennessee (2020-2024) (truckaccidentlawyer.wiki)