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Fatal car crashes in District of Columbia, county by county
From 2020 through 2024, 200 people died in 187 crashes on District of Columbia roads. That is 5.7 deaths a year for every 100,000 residents, below the US rate of 12.1, and the 48th highest rate of the 50 states and DC.
District of Columbia had the most deaths (200). The road stretch with the most fatal crashes was Southern Ave SE in District of Columbia (15). In 2024, 47 people were killed, 31% 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, 48th highest of 51 (US 12.1)
pedestrians killed, 38% 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 District of Columbia
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 | Southern Ave SE | District of Columbia, DC | 15 | 15 |
| 2 | I-395 North | District of Columbia, DC | 7 | 7 |
| 3 | Benning Rd NE | District of Columbia, DC | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | Connecticut Ave NW | District of Columbia, DC | 5 | 6 |
| 5 | Eastern Ave NE | District of Columbia, DC | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | I-295 South | District of Columbia, DC | 5 | 5 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania Ave SE | District of Columbia, DC | 5 | 5 |
| 8 | Alabama Ave SE | District of Columbia, DC | 4 | 5 |
| 9 | Minnesota Ave SE | District of Columbia, DC | 4 | 4 |
| 10 | 14Th St NE | District of Columbia, DC | 3 | 3 |
Deaths by year
Every District of Columbia county
1 counties with 10 or more fatal crashes in five years, by deaths.
| County | Deaths 2020-24 | Per 100K a year | Pedestrians | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 200 | 5.7 | 76 | 702,250 |
What was involved
| Factor | District of Columbia | Share | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding was a factor a driver coded by police as speeding, racing or too fast for conditions | 74 | 40% | 28% |
| A driver had been drinking police reported alcohol involvement for at least one driver | 45 | 24% | 26% |
| A large truck was involved a truck over 10,000 lbs | 9 | 5% | 13% |
| Hit-and-run a driver left the scene | 50 | 27% | 7% |
| Pedestrians killed share of all deaths | 76 | 38% | 18% |
| Motorcyclists killed share of all deaths | 34 | 17% | 15% |
| Bicyclists killed share of all deaths | 11 | 6% | 3% |
| Teens (15-19) killed share of all deaths | 10 | 5% | 7% |
After a crash in District of Columbia
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Get the crash report
Statewide copies come from Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Public Documents Section, cost No fee for first-party requests; insurance companies pay $3 per PD-10 (MPD's reports overview page says $3 for all PD-10s).
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Know your deadline
District of Columbia gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit (D.C. Code § 12-301(8)). If a city, county or state vehicle was involved: Written notice of the injury or damage must be given to the Mayor within six months; a Metropolitan Police Department report made in the regular course of duty counts as notice.
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Who pays
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If you were partly at fault
If you were even slightly at fault for the crash, DC law can bar you from recovering anything on a negligence claim (contributory negligence).
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The other driver’s minimum coverage
The legal minimum liability coverage in District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia. Both take under a minute.