Welcome to AutoAccidentDeathsPerYear.com - where you'll find the facts about the national epidemic of auto accident deaths and auto accident injuries in the USA.
Auto Accidents At A Glance
- Accidents Per Year: 6 million
- Injuries Per Year: 4.5 million
- Deaths Per Year: 39,000
| Decade | Fatalities (Average Per Year) |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 20,000 |
| 1930s | 32,500 |
| 1940s | 29,500 |
| 1950s | 35,500 |
| 1960s | 45,500 |
| 1970s | 50,000 |
| 1980s | 46,000 |
| 1990s | 41,500 |
| 2000s | 41,000 |
| 2010s | 36,000 |
More Auto Accident Facts
More than 50% of auto accidents and auto accident deaths involve:
- Young adults, 15 to 45 years of age
- Motorcyclists
- Cyclists
- Pedestrians
The 2010s (2010-2019) saw the lowest average auto-accident deaths per year in the USA since the 1950s. It was the fourth consecutive decade of decreasing auto fatalities since the peak in the 1970s.
Americans are driving more and driving safer, but the total number of accidents, auto injuries, and deaths is still staggering. And still a problem.
What Are the Causes of Auto Accident Deaths?
Most auto accident deaths can be attributed to poor:
- Driver Behavior
- Roads
- Vehicles
- Traffic Laws
- Emergency Services
Rural vs. Urban Auto Accident Deaths
Between 2010 and 2019 the number of auto accident fatalities saw a shift between rural and urban areas. From 2010 to 2015 more fatalities occurred in rural areas. From 2015 to 2019 more fatalities occurred in urban areas. This is, in part, due to an increase in urban areas of:
- Drunk driving
- Motorcycle fatalities
- Bicycle fatalities
- Pedestrian fatalities
Pedestrians in Auto Accidents
From 1990 to 2009 the number of pedestrian deaths due to auto accidents steadily declined from 5600 deaths per year to 4200 deaths per year. However, since 2010 there has been a sharp increase. The reason for the increase is debatable with experts citing an increase in pedestrian deaths at night, population increases, and more miles traveled.
During this time period there was also an increase in the amount of SUVs on the road, which when in an auto accident can cause greater injury to pedestrians, as well as an increase in smartphones. Smartphones are a major factor in distracted driving accidents, especially texting while driving.