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Fatal car crashes in North Dakota, county by county
From 2020 through 2024, 495 people died in 457 crashes on North Dakota roads. That is 12.4 deaths a year for every 100,000 residents, about the same as the US rate of 12.1, and the 24th highest rate of the 50 states and DC.
Cass County had the most deaths (50). The road stretch with the most fatal crashes was US-2 in Williams County (8). In 2024, 90 people were killed, 10% fewer 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, 24th highest of 51 (US 12.1)
pedestrians killed, 8% 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 North Dakota
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-2 | Williams County, ND | 8 | 10 |
| 2 | I-29 | Cass County, ND | 6 | 7 |
| 3 | US-85 | McKenzie County, ND | 6 | 7 |
| 4 | SR-1804 | Williams County, ND | 6 | 7 |
| 5 | I-94 | Cass County, ND | 6 | 6 |
| 6 | SR-23 | McKenzie County, ND | 6 | 6 |
| 7 | SR-1806 | Morton County, ND | 6 | 6 |
| 8 | US-281 | Rolette County, ND | 6 | 6 |
| 9 | I-94 | Stark County, ND | 6 | 6 |
| 10 | US-83 | Ward County, ND | 6 | 6 |
| 11 | I-94 | Burleigh County, ND | 5 | 5 |
| 12 | US-52 | Ward County, ND | 5 | 5 |
| 13 | SR-57 | Benson County, ND | 4 | 6 |
| 14 | US-2 Demers Ave | Grand Forks County, ND | 4 | 6 |
| 15 | I-94 | Morton County, ND | 4 | 6 |
Deaths by year
Every North Dakota county
13 counties with 10 or more fatal crashes in five years, by deaths. 36 more had fewer than 10 and are listed after the table.
| County | Deaths 2020-24 | Per 100K a year | Pedestrians | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cass County | 50 | 5.0 | 7 | 200,945 |
| Williams County | 36 | 17.7 | 1 | 40,763 |
| Morton County | 34 | 19.9 | 3 | 34,194 |
| Burleigh County | 33 | 6.4 | 7 | 103,107 |
| Rolette County | 31 | 53.0 | 3 | 11,692 |
| Grand Forks County | 28 | 7.6 | 0 | 73,771 |
| Ward County | 28 | 8.2 | 3 | 68,427 |
| McKenzie County | 26 | 35.2 | 2 | 14,782 |
| Benson County | 22 | 76.4 | 4 | 5,756 |
| Mountrail County | 18 | 38.0 | 1 | 9,474 |
| Stark County | 17 | 10.1 | 1 | 33,767 |
| Richland County | 12 | 14.4 | 3 | 16,658 |
| Stutsman County | 12 | 11.1 | 1 | 21,546 |
Fewer than 10 fatal crashes, 2020-2024: Adams County (3 deaths), Barnes County (9 deaths), Billings County (2 deaths), Bottineau County (5 deaths), Bowman County (2 deaths), Cavalier County (2 deaths), Dickey County (4 deaths), Dunn County (6 deaths), Eddy County (1 death), Emmons County (2 deaths), Foster County (1 death), Golden Valley County (3 deaths), Grant County (1 death), Hettinger County (1 death), Kidder County (6 deaths), LaMoure County (4 deaths), Logan County (2 deaths), McHenry County (11 deaths), McIntosh County (1 death), McLean County (7 deaths), Mercer County (7 deaths), Nelson County (5 deaths), Oliver County (2 deaths), Pembina County (6 deaths), Pierce County (3 deaths), Ramsey County (4 deaths), Ransom County (8 deaths), Renville County (2 deaths), Sargent County (4 deaths), Sheridan County (4 deaths), Sioux County (6 deaths), Steele County (2 deaths), Towner County (3 deaths), Traill County (7 deaths), Walsh County (9 deaths), Wells County (3 deaths).
What was involved
| Factor | North Dakota | Share | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding was a factor a driver coded by police as speeding, racing or too fast for conditions | 113 | 25% | 28% |
| A driver had been drinking police reported alcohol involvement for at least one driver | 165 | 36% | 26% |
| A large truck was involved a truck over 10,000 lbs | 107 | 23% | 13% |
| Hit-and-run a driver left the scene | 14 | 3% | 7% |
| Pedestrians killed share of all deaths | 39 | 8% | 18% |
| Motorcyclists killed share of all deaths | 79 | 16% | 15% |
| Bicyclists killed share of all deaths | 4 | 1% | 3% |
| Teens (15-19) killed share of all deaths | 37 | 7% | 7% |
After a crash in North Dakota
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Get the crash report
Reports taken by city police and county sheriffs also go into the same state database for purchase; if you lack the date, last name or county, NDDOT says to contact the law enforcement agency that investigated the crash.
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Know your deadline
North Dakota gives you six years to file a personal injury lawsuit (N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16(5)). If a city, county or state vehicle was involved: A claim against the state or a state employee requires written notice to the director of the Office of Management and Budget within 180 days after the injury is discovered (one year for a serious injury). For claims against cities, counties and other political subdivisions, the action must be commenced within three years of accrual (no separate notice period found).
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Who pays
North Dakota is a no-fault state: your own personal injury protection (PIP) pays first, with at least $30,000 required, and you can sue the other driver only past the state's threshold. Bills for treatment that are sent in more than 180 days after the treatment date do not have to be paid by you or by the no-fault insurer, so make sure your providers bill promptly.
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If you were partly at fault
Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, but if your fault is as great as the combined fault of everyone else involved (50% or more) you recover nothing.
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The other driver’s minimum coverage
The legal minimum liability coverage in North Dakota is $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per crash and $25,000 for property (25/50/25).
Check your deadline and a rough claim range
A filing date and a rough value range for North Dakota. Both take under a minute.