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Fatal car crashes in Delaware, county by county
From 2020 through 2024, 675 people died in 628 crashes on Delaware roads. That is 12.8 deaths a year for every 100,000 residents, above the US rate of 12.1, and the 23rd highest rate of the 50 states and DC.
New Castle County had the most deaths (336). The road stretch with the most fatal crashes was US-13 (Dupont Pkwy) in New Castle County (36). In 2024, 126 people were killed, 9% more than in 2020.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2020-2024 · checked October 2, 2026
people killed in crashes, 2020-2024
deaths a year per 100,000 residents, 23rd highest of 51 (US 12.1)
pedestrians killed, 21% of deaths (US 18%)
of fatal crashes were speeding-related (US 28%)
Death rate by county
Deaths a year per 100,000 residents, 2020-2024. Rural counties often rank highest: fewer people, faster roads and longer waits for an ambulance.
The most dangerous roads in Delaware
Fatal crashes by road within each county, 2020-2024. A long interstate shows up once per county it crosses.
| # | Road | Where | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US-13 Dupont Pkwy | New Castle County, DE | 36 | 40 |
| 2 | US-13 S Dupont Hwy | Kent County, DE | 34 | 37 |
| 3 | I-95 De Tpk | New Castle County, DE | 25 | 27 |
| 4 | US-113 Dupont Blvd | Sussex County, DE | 23 | 24 |
| 5 | SR-1 Coastal Hwy | Sussex County, DE | 19 | 22 |
| 6 | US-40 Pulaski Hwy | New Castle County, DE | 19 | 20 |
| 7 | SR-4 Chestnut Hill Rd | New Castle County, DE | 18 | 18 |
| 8 | SR-1 Bay Rd | Kent County, DE | 17 | 17 |
| 9 | I-495 Vietnam Vet Mem Hwy | New Castle County, DE | 16 | 20 |
| 10 | US-13 Sussex Hwy | Sussex County, DE | 15 | 16 |
| 11 | SR-1 Korean War Vets Mem Hwy | New Castle County, DE | 14 | 16 |
| 12 | SR-9 River Rd | New Castle County, DE | 12 | 13 |
| 13 | SR-7 Limestone Rd | New Castle County, DE | 11 | 11 |
| 14 | SR-273 Chriistiana Rd | New Castle County, DE | 9 | 12 |
| 15 | SR-2 Kirkwood Hwy | New Castle County, DE | 9 | 10 |
Deaths by year
Every Delaware county
3 counties with 10 or more fatal crashes in five years, by deaths.
| County | Deaths 2020-24 | Per 100K a year | Pedestrians | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Castle County | 336 | 11.4 | 93 | 588,093 |
| Sussex County | 192 | 14.2 | 27 | 271,134 |
| Kent County | 147 | 15.3 | 20 | 192,690 |
What was involved
| Factor | Delaware | Share | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding was a factor a driver coded by police as speeding, racing or too fast for conditions | 189 | 30% | 28% |
| A driver had been drinking police reported alcohol involvement for at least one driver | 152 | 24% | 26% |
| A large truck was involved a truck over 10,000 lbs | 64 | 10% | 13% |
| Hit-and-run a driver left the scene | 45 | 7% | 7% |
| Pedestrians killed share of all deaths | 140 | 21% | 18% |
| Motorcyclists killed share of all deaths | 97 | 14% | 15% |
| Bicyclists killed share of all deaths | 20 | 3% | 3% |
| Teens (15-19) killed share of all deaths | 50 | 7% | 7% |
After a crash in Delaware
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Get the crash report
Statewide copies come from Delaware State Police, Traffic Operations Section, cost $25.00 for a standard collision report; $60.00 for a fatal collision report.
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Know your deadline
Delaware gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit (Del. Code tit. 10, § 8119).
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Who pays
Delaware is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the injuries and damage.
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If you were partly at fault
If you were partly at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but you recover nothing if your negligence is greater than the defendant's (or all defendants combined), that is, more than 50%.
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The other driver’s minimum coverage
The legal minimum liability coverage in Delaware is $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per crash and $10,000 for property (25/50/10).
Check your deadline and a rough claim range
A filing date and a rough value range for Delaware. Both take under a minute.