| Data years | 2020-2024[1][2][3][4][5] |
|---|---|
| Deaths in car accidents, 2020-2024 | 422[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deaths in car accidents, 2024 | 90[5] |
| Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents | 9.1[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| Population, July 1, 2024 (estimate) | 939,786[6] |
| 2024 data file | FARS Annual Report File[5] |
Pierce County, Washington recorded 422 car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024, including 90 in 2024 alone. Those 90 deaths represented 88.2% of all traffic deaths in the county that year, and across the full five-year span car accident deaths made up 88.7% of the county's 476 total traffic deaths.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
On this page, a car accident is defined as a fatal crash involving at least one passenger car, SUV, pickup or van, counting everyone killed in that crash, whether they were in the passenger vehicle, in another vehicle, or a nonoccupant. Anyone compiling these figures, including a car accident lawyer reviewing county trends, should note the deaths are grouped by where the crash occurred. The statistics 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 Pierce County by year
Car accident deaths in Pierce County ranged from 65 in 2020 to 105 in 2023 over the five years studied. Deaths rose from 65 in 2020 to 86 in 2021, fell to 76 in 2022, rose again to 105 in 2023, the highest year in the period, and then fell to 90 in 2024, the figure used in the lead. The lowest year was 2020 with 65 deaths. Comparing the first and last years of the span, 2024's count of 90 was 25 deaths higher than 2020's count of 65.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Year | Deaths in car accidents | All traffic deaths | Share in car accidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 65 | 73 | 89.0% |
| 2021 | 86 | 98 | 87.8% |
| 2022 | 76 | 87 | 87.4% |
| 2023 | 105 | 116 | 90.5% |
| 2024 | 90 | 102 | 88.2% |
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 Pierce County car accidents
Among the 422 car accident deaths recorded from 2020 through 2024, People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 275 deaths, a 65.2% share, making up the majority of the total. People in other vehicles accounted for 56 deaths, or 13.3%. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 91 deaths, a 21.6% share of the total.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
How the fatal car crashes happened
Looking at manner of collision for the 422 car accident deaths, 224 deaths, 53.1% of the total, fall 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) accounts for 108 deaths (25.6%), Head-on for 48 (11.4%), Rear-end for 32 (7.6%), Sideswipe for 7 (1.7%), and Other for 3 (0.7%).[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Time of day and setting
Of the 422 car accident deaths, 249 occurred during nighttime hours (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.), a 59.0% share and the majority, while 173 occurred during daytime hours (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.), 41.0%. By land use, 361 deaths occurred in urban areas (85.5%) and 61 in rural areas (14.5%). Crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 27 car accident deaths, a 6.4% share of the county total.[1][2][3][4][5]
Car accident death rate compared with Washington and the United States
Pierce County's average annual rate of 9.1 deaths per 100,000 residents is higher than Washington's statewide rate of 7.9 and lower than the national rate of 10.5. Among the listed neighboring counties, the rate is higher than King County's 5.6 and Thurston County's 6.8, and lower than Yakima County's 16.7, which is the highest among the listed neighbors. This rate 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pierce County, Washington | 422 | 9.1 |
| Washington | 3,087 | 7.9 |
| United States | 176,219 | 10.5 |
| King County, Washington (neighbor) | 634 | 5.6 |
| Yakima County, Washington (neighbor) | 215 | 16.7 |
| Thurston County, Washington (neighbor) | 102 | 6.8 |
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
Among all fatal crashes in Pierce County, of any vehicle type, recorded characteristics as shares of all traffic deaths include Roadway departure at 211 deaths (44.3%), the largest share listed, and Speeding-related and At an intersection each at 155 deaths (32.6%). Pedestrian involved appears in 97 deaths (20.4%), Motorcycle involved in 84 (17.6%), Driver distraction reported in 70 (14.7%), Hit-and-run in 39 (8.2%), and In a work zone in 7 (1.5%), the smallest share listed. Because a single crash can carry several 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 | 155 | 32.6% |
| Roadway departure | 211 | 44.3% |
| At an intersection | 155 | 32.6% |
| Pedestrian involved | 97 | 20.4% |
| Motorcycle involved | 84 | 17.6% |
| Hit-and-run | 39 | 8.2% |
| Driver distraction reported | 70 | 14.7% |
| In a work zone | 7 | 1.5% |
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
These figures come from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a census of fatal crashes on public trafficways where a vehicle occupant or nonoccupant dies within 30 days. Deaths are grouped by the county where the crash happened rather than by where those killed 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. Population estimates used for rates come from the Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 series. FARS counts fatal crashes only, so nonfatal crashes and injuries are not reflected anywhere on this page.[8][6][7]
See also
- Car accident statistics for King County, Washington (2020-2024)
- Car accident statistics for Yakima County, Washington (2020-2024)
- Washington car accident statistics (2020-2024)
On related publications
- Truck accident statistics for Pierce County, Washington (2020-2024) (truckaccidentlawyer.wiki)
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