Car accident statistics for Spokane County, Washington (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in Spokane County by year

The yearly car accident death count rose from 44 in 2020 to 51 in 2021, then fell to 35 in 2022. It rose to 53 in 2023 before falling to 43 in 2024. The highest count was 53 in 2023, and the lowest was 35 in 2022. The 2024 count was 1 death lower than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

All traffic deaths numbered 52 in 2020, 57 in 2021, 41 in 2022, 60 in 2023 and 55 in 2024. The corresponding shares attributed to car accidents were 84.6%, 89.5%, 85.4%, 88.3% and 78.2%. That share was highest in 2021 and lowest in 2024.^{[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 Spokane County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 119 deaths, or 52.7% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 35 deaths, or 15.5%, making it the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 72 deaths, or 31.9%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Each category counts deaths in the selected passenger-vehicle-involved crashes. The grouping therefore includes deaths beyond those in the passenger vehicles themselves. These figures describe where the crashes occurred, rather than where the people who died lived.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

Angle (side impact) accounted for 65 deaths, or 28.8%; Head-on for 20, or 8.8%; Rear-end for 5, or 2.2%; and Sideswipe for 6, or 2.7%. Other accounted for 1 death, or 0.4%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 129 car accident deaths, or 57.1%. Manner of collision describes the first harmful event. This row includes events such as striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover, rather than a collision between motor vehicles in transport. A vehicle stopped in traffic can be in transport; 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 99 car accident deaths, or 43.8%, during 2020 through 2024. Nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) accounted for 127 deaths, or 56.2%. The nighttime count was higher than the daytime count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

By land use, Urban accounted for 162 deaths, or 71.7%, while Rural accounted for 63 deaths, or 27.9%. Unknown accounted for 1 death, or 0.4%. Crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 16 deaths, or 7.1% of the passenger-vehicle-involved death count. These remain death counts, rather than counts of crashes.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Washington and the United States

Spokane County's car accident death rate was 8.2 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. Washington's rate was 7.9, and the United States rate was 10.5. The county rate was higher than the state rate and lower than the national rate. No neighboring county rates are supplied for this comparison.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

The rates use deaths divided by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates, multiplied by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors. The death counts associated with these rates were 226 for Spokane County, 3,087 for Washington and 176,219 for the United States. The national figures cover the 50 states and DC.^{[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, of any vehicle type, rather than only car accident deaths. Shares use all traffic deaths. Speeding-related recorded 78 deaths (29.4%); Roadway departure, 111 (41.9%); At an intersection, 103 (38.9%); and Pedestrian involved, 70 (26.4%). Motorcycle involved recorded 61 deaths (23.0%); Hit-and-run, 15 (5.7%); Driver distraction reported, 43 (16.2%); and In a work zone, 2 (0.8%).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

A crash can carry several recorded characteristics, so the rows overlap and their shares 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 involving a motor vehicle on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. For readers searching for a car accident lawyer, these counts are grouped by crash county, not the deceased person's residence.^[8][6][7]

Records for 2020 through 2023 are Final Files; 2024 uses the Annual Report File and may change. Rates divide deaths by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025 and multiply by 100,000. The separately displayed July 1, 2024 population estimate is not the denominator. Rates express average annual deaths per 100,000 residents without adjusting for miles driven or visitors.^[8][6][7]

See also

• Washington car accident statistics (2020-2024)