Washington Car Accident Statistics: Yearly Death & Injury Rate

Risky behavior behind the wheel accounts for an increase in traffic fatalities in WA state.

Updated through 2024, see citations at the end.

Washington State roads have grown increasingly dangerous over the last decade, but 2024 brought a glimmer of hope: traffic deaths finally declined after years of troubling increases. Yet the numbers remain alarmingly high, and experts agree, more work is needed to make the state’s roads safer.

The 10-Year Trend: Fatalities Have Risen Sharply Since 2014

In 2014, Washington recorded 462 traffic fatalities statewide. By 2023, that number had jumped to 810, a staggering 75.3% increase in just a decade. Serious injuries followed a similar trend, rising from 2,004 in 2014 to 3,413 in 2023, up more than 70% .

The primary culprit? Risky behavior behind the wheel. From speeding and driving under the influence to distracted driving and failing to wear seat belts, these preventable behaviors now account for roughly 75% of traffic deaths annually, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Washington State Car Accident Statistics (2014–2024)

2024: A Welcome but Fragile Decline

In 2024, Washington saw 731 roadway fatalities, down from 809 in 2023 and 743 in 2022. While that’s nearly a 10% decrease from the year prior, it’s still far higher than the pre-pandemic average of around 500 deaths per year from 2015 to 2020.

Motorcyclist deaths saw a promising 20% decline in 2024 (113 deaths, down from 142), and pedestrian and cyclist deaths dipped slightly from a record 177 in 2023 to 168 in 2024. However, nearly one in four fatalities still involved someone walking or biking, proof that vulnerable road users continue to face disproportionate risks.

Impaired, Speeding, Distracted, The Lethal Quartet

Among all traffic deaths in 2024:

• Impairment (alcohol or drugs) was involved in about half.
• Speeding contributed to one-third.
• Distracted driving was a factor in roughly 20%.
• Seat belt non-use was also noted in about 20%.

Even more concerning: 62% of crashes that involved speeding also involved impaired driving. These behaviors don’t occur in isolation, they tend to stack, compounding danger for everyone on the road.

Young Drivers, High Stakes

Drivers aged 15 to 24 made up nearly 25% of all traffic deaths in 2024. In response, Washington passed a law requiring driver’s education for anyone under 21 applying for a license, an increase from the previous age cutoff of 18. The state is also exploring speed-limiting technology for habitual violators beginning in 2029.

Spotlight on Yakima County

In Yakima County, the home of Abeyta Nelson Injury Law, traffic fatalities and serious injuries remain a significant public safety issue.

According to the Yakima Valley Conference of Governments (YVCOG):

• Yakima saw 49 traffic deaths in 2024, down from a 10-year high of 58 in 2021.
• Serious injuries reached 120 in 2024, following a peak of 131 in 2022.
• Non-motorist deaths and serious injuries (including pedestrians and cyclists) totaled 29.

In their 2025 resolution, YVCOG reaffirmed their commitment to Target Zero, the statewide goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.

Yakima County Coroner Data: Human Lives Behind the Numbers

The 2024 Yakima County Coroner’s Report provides a sobering view:

• 35 deaths were classified as motor vehicle-related: 24 drivers, 2 passengers, and 6 pedestrians.
• Motor vehicle deaths were most common among those aged 20–29 and 30–39.
• 20 of the 26 drivers tested positive for drugs or alcohol. Of the pedestrians killed, half had alcohol or drugs in their system.

While these deaths are reported as statistics, each one represents a life lost too soon, parents, children, neighbors, and friends whose families now live with unimaginable grief.

The Most Dangerous Intersections in Yakima

These are primarily located along the city’s busiest roads, especially Nob Hill Boulevard, First Street, and 16th Avenue. According to data from the Yakima Herald, the Yakima Police Department and city engineer Bill Preston discuss the top intersections for collisions from 2020 through 2024:

1. South 16th Avenue & Nob Hill Boulevard – 66 crashes
2. South First Street & Nob Hill Boulevard – 45 crashes
3. North 16th Avenue & Lincoln Avenue – 45 crashes
4. North 16th Avenue & Fruitvale Boulevard – 41 crashes
5. South 40th Avenue & Nob Hill Boulevard – 40 crashes
6. First Street & East Yakima Avenue – 39 crashes
7. South First Street & East Mead Avenue – 33 crashes
8. South Third Avenue & Nob Hill Boulevard – 32 crashes
9. First Street & Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard – 32 crashes
10. Fifth Avenue & West Yakima Avenue – 30 crashes

Why These Intersections Are Dangerous:

• High Traffic Volume: These intersections are on Yakima’s main arterials, carrying the city’s heaviest traffic loads.
• Driver Behavior: The most common causes of crashes include following too closely, failing to yield, and disregarding traffic signals. Distracted driving and DUIs were noted but occurred less frequently.
• Design Challenges:
  • 16th & Nob Hill: Despite being the worst for crashes, city engineers say little more can be done from a design standpoint.
  • 40th & Nob Hill: High rate of sideswipe accidents due to a double left-turn lane.
  • First & East Yakima Avenue: On-street parking may be contributing to higher side-swipe rates.
  • North First & MLK Jr. Blvd: Increase in crashes tied to temporary signal changes during road construction.
  • North 16th & Lincoln: Narrow lanes, but widening would require expensive right-of-way purchases the city can’t afford.
• Crash Severity: Fortunately, most collisions result in property damage rather than serious injury, due to lower speeds within city limits.

City officials emphasize that education, reminding drivers to obey signals, maintain safe following distances, and stay alert, is the most cost-effective strategy to reduce accidents, especially given budget constraints and limited traffic enforcement resources. Enforcement helps, but with only two dedicated traffic officers, its reach is limited

Why 2020–2022 Was So Dangerous

The pandemic years sparked dramatic shifts in driver behavior. With fewer cars on the road, average speeds increased, and enforcement decreased. That dangerous mix resulted in the deadliest three-year period in recent memory. Fatal crashes surged nationwide, and Washington was no exception.

Between 2020 and 2022:

• Annual traffic deaths in the state jumped from 574 to 743, a 29% increase in just two years.
• Serious injuries climbed from 2,073 in 2020 to 3,090 in 2022.

Target Zero: Washington’s Roadmap to Safer Streets

Launched in 2000 and now in its seventh iteration, the Target Zero plan aims to reduce all traffic deaths and serious injuries to zero by 2030. Built with community input, the plan embraces the Safe System Approach, which focuses on:

• Safer People: Education, enforcement, and licensing improvements.
• Safer Roads: Roundabouts, speed cameras, and pedestrian zones.
• Safer Speeds: Road design and smart tech to curb dangerous driving.
• Safer Vehicles: Promoting crash-prevention features.
• Post-Crash Care: Better emergency access and trauma response.

Recent policy changes include increased penalties for harming pedestrians and cyclists, and expanded use of automated speed enforcement in work and school zones.

The Economic Toll: $44.1 Billion in 2024

Beyond the human loss, the financial burden is immense. According to TRIP, a national transportation nonprofit, traffic fatalities and serious injuries cost Washington State $44.1 billion in 2024, including $10.9 billion in direct economic costs and $33.2 billion in lost quality of life .

These costs include emergency services, medical care, lost productivity, legal expenses, and lifelong disability for survivors.

Where We Go from Here

While the downward trend in 2024 is encouraging, it’s just a start. To protect lives, Washington must continue investing in roadway safety, education, and enforcement. Community members play a vital role too, by driving sober, buckling up, slowing down, and staying focused on the road.

As personal injury attorneys at Abeyta Nelson Injury Law, we see firsthand the devastation that follows preventable car accidents. Our mission is to help victims rebuild their lives, one case at a time. But more importantly, we advocate for change, because behind every crash statistic is a human story, and every life lost is one too many.

Call us at 509-575-1588 today to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

• Washington State Traffic Safety Commission – “Washington traffic deaths down after record year”
• WSDOT – “Highway Safety – Traffic fatalities & serious injuries”
• TargetZero – “Strategic Highway Safety Plan”
• Yakima Valley Traffic Safety – “Highway Safety – Traffic fatalities & serious injuries”