| Data years | 2020-2024[1][2][3][4][5] |
|---|---|
| Deaths in car accidents, 2020-2024 | 1,463[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deaths in car accidents, 2024 | 285[5] |
| Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents | 11.2[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| Population, July 1, 2024 (estimate) | 2,664,013[6] |
| 2024 data file | FARS Annual Report File[5] |
Dallas County, Texas recorded 1,463 car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024, including 285 in 2024 alone. Car accidents accounted for 85.8% of the 1,705 traffic deaths in the county over that five-year span, with 1,336 fatal crashes involving at least one passenger vehicle during the period.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
On this page, a car accident is any fatal crash involving at least one passenger car, SUV, pickup or van, and the death count includes everyone killed in those crashes, whether they were in the passenger vehicle, in another vehicle, or a nonoccupant. Anyone compiling these figures for a car accident lawyer or other reference purpose should note that the numbers are grouped by crash location rather than by victim residency. Figures come from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Census Bureau population estimates.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Contents
Car accident deaths in Dallas County by year
Car accident deaths in Dallas County ran from 288 in 2020 to 302 in 2021, then 303 in 2022, 285 in 2023 and 285 in 2024. The highest year was 2022, with 303 deaths, and the lowest count was 285 deaths, recorded in both 2023 and 2024. Comparing the endpoints of the period, 2024's count of 285 was 3 deaths lower than 2020's count of 288. All traffic deaths in the county were 331 in 2020, 354 in 2021 and 2022, 336 in 2023 and 330 in 2024, and the share of all traffic deaths that were car accidents ranged from 84.8% in 2023 to 87.0% in 2020.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Year | Deaths in car accidents | All traffic deaths | Share in car accidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 288 | 331 | 87.0% |
| 2021 | 302 | 354 | 85.3% |
| 2022 | 303 | 354 | 85.6% |
| 2023 | 285 | 336 | 84.8% |
| 2024 | 285 | 330 | 86.4% |
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 Dallas County car accidents
Among the 1,463 car accident deaths recorded in Dallas County from 2020 through 2024, People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans made up the majority at 974 deaths, or 66.6% of the total. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 375 deaths, or 25.6%, while People in other vehicles accounted for 114 deaths, or 7.8%. People in other vehicles was the smallest of the three categories over the period.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
How the fatal car crashes happened
Of the 1,463 car accident deaths recorded from 2020 through 2024, 818, or 55.9%, fell under Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport, meaning the crash's first harmful event was something other than a collision between motor vehicles in transport, such as striking a nonoccupant, a parked vehicle or a fixed object, or a rollover. Among collisions with another motor vehicle in transport, Angle (side impact) crashes accounted for 282 deaths (19.3%), Rear-end crashes for 203 deaths (13.9%), Head-on crashes for 85 deaths (5.8%) and Sideswipe crashes for 48 deaths (3.3%). Other and Unknown manners accounted for 25 and 2 deaths respectively.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Time of day and setting
Nighttime hours, from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., accounted for 1,013 car accident deaths, or 69.2%, compared with 450 deaths, or 30.8%, during daytime hours from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. Urban land use accounted for 1,448 car accident deaths, or 99.0%, while rural land use accounted for 13 deaths, or 0.9%. Crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 142 car accident deaths, or 9.7% of the county's total, from 2020 through 2024.[1][2][3][4][5]
Car accident death rate compared with Texas and the United States
Dallas County's average annual rate of 11.2 car accident deaths per 100,000 residents sits lower than the Texas rate of 12.1 and higher than the national rate of 10.5. Among the listed neighboring counties, Tarrant County recorded a rate of 8.2, Collin County 4.9, Denton County 4.7 and Ellis County 14.9, making Ellis County the highest and Denton County the lowest among the listed neighbors. Dallas County's rate is higher than Tarrant, Collin and Denton Counties but lower than Ellis County. This figure 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas County, Texas | 1,463 | 11.2 |
| Texas | 18,234 | 12.1 |
| United States | 176,219 | 10.5 |
| Tarrant County, Texas (neighbor) | 892 | 8.2 |
| Collin County, Texas (neighbor) | 285 | 4.9 |
| Denton County, Texas (neighbor) | 231 | 4.7 |
| Ellis County, Texas (neighbor) | 159 | 14.9 |
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 recorded characteristics across all fatal crashes in Dallas County of any vehicle type, as shares of all traffic deaths, Speeding-related crashes accounted for 43.2% (737 deaths) and Roadway departure crashes for 35.0% (597 deaths). Pedestrian involved crashes accounted for 26.5% (451 deaths) and At an intersection crashes for 24.6% (420 deaths). Hit-and-run crashes accounted for 13.1% (224 deaths), Motorcycle involved crashes for 12.0% (204 deaths), Driver distraction reported for 7.9% (134 deaths) and In a work zone for 5.3% (91 deaths), the smallest share listed. Because a single crash can carry multiple characteristics, these shares 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 | 737 | 43.2% |
| Roadway departure | 597 | 35.0% |
| At an intersection | 420 | 24.6% |
| Pedestrian involved | 451 | 26.5% |
| Motorcycle involved | 204 | 12.0% |
| Hit-and-run | 224 | 13.1% |
| Driver distraction reported | 134 | 7.9% |
| In a work zone | 91 | 5.3% |
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 that includes any crash on a public trafficway where a vehicle occupant or a nonoccupant dies within 30 days. Deaths are grouped by the county where the crash occurred, not by where the people killed actually lived. Data for 2020 through 2023 come from FARS Final Files, while the 2024 figures come from the FARS Annual Report File and may change once NHTSA issues the Final File for that year. Rates divide deaths by summed annual population estimates to produce an average annual figure per 100,000 residents. FARS covers only fatal crashes, so nonfatal crashes and injuries are not part of this page.[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