Texas car accident statistics (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Texas by year

Car accident deaths rose from 3,310 in 2020 to 3,868 in 2021, the highest annual count during the period. They then fell to 3,807 in 2022, 3,669 in 2023 and 3,580 in 2024. The lowest count was in 2020. Despite the declines after 2021, the 2024 count was 270 deaths higher than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Texas accounted for 10.3% of the national total of 176,219 car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. Its annual share was 9.9% in 2020, 10.4% in 2021, 10.4% in 2022, 10.4% in 2023 and 10.7% in 2024. These percentages compare Texas deaths with national deaths in qualifying crashes, rather than with all traffic deaths.^{[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 Texas car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 13,015 deaths, or 71.4% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 1,659 deaths and 9.1%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 3,560 deaths, or 19.5%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Each category counts deaths in fatal crashes involving a passenger vehicle. The Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) label follows the FARS classification; it is not a literal test of being outside a vehicle and can include occupants of parked motor vehicles.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Collision types and setting

By manner of collision, car accident deaths numbered 3,876 for Angle (side impact), 2,630 for Head-on, 1,825 for Rear-end, 448 for Sideswipe, 163 for Other and 48 for Unknown. Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport recorded 9,244 deaths. That row means the first harmful event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport, such as a rollover or impact with a fixed object or parked vehicle. Transport does not require physical movement.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Daytime accounted for 7,578 deaths (41.6%); nighttime accounted for 10,653 (58.4%). Urban classifications recorded 11,311 deaths (62.0%), and rural classifications recorded 6,908 (37.9%).^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Counties with the most car accident deaths

Harris County had the most car accident deaths, at 2,339, followed by Dallas County with 1,463, Bexar County with 963, Tarrant County with 892 and Travis County with 678. The listed counts continue with El Paso County at 382, Hidalgo County at 307, Collin County at 285, Smith County at 273 and Montgomery County at 251. Lubbock County recorded 238 deaths, Williamson County 232, Denton County 231, Bell County 230 and Ector County 214.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Death counts and population rates describe different measures. Among the listed counties, Ector County had the highest average annual deaths per 100,000 residents, at 25.9, and Denton County had the lowest, at 4.7. These rate rankings apply only among the listed counties. Deaths are grouped by crash county.^{[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 Texas compares with the national rate

The Texas car accident death rate was 12.1, compared with the national rate of 10.5, for 2020 through 2024. Both figures measure average annual deaths per 100,000 residents. Texas had the higher rate in this comparison. The corresponding death counts were 18,234 for Texas 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 and multiplies by 100,000. It does not adjust for miles driven or visitors. The separate 2024 population estimate of 31,318,578 is not the denominator used for the period's rate. Whether reading with a car accident lawyer in mind or another purpose, keep the population rate distinct from the death count.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

About these figures

FARS is NHTSA's census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes. Inclusion requires a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and an occupant or nonoccupant dying within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. State and county counts follow crash location, not the homes of those killed.^[8][6][7]

Data for 2020 through 2023 come from FARS Final Files; 2024 uses the Annual Report File and may change with the Final File. Rates use deaths divided by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates, Vintage 2025, multiplied by 100,000. They measure average annual deaths per 100,000 residents without adjustments for miles driven or visitors. The separate July 1, 2024 population estimate is not the rate denominator.^[8][6][7]

See also

• FARS Annual Report File and Final File
• Car accident statistics for Harris County, Texas (2020-2024)
• Car accident statistics for Dallas County, Texas (2020-2024)
• Car accident statistics for Bexar County, Texas (2020-2024)
• Car accident statistics for Tarrant County, Texas (2020-2024)
• Car accident statistics for Travis County, Texas (2020-2024)