A new national crash analysis reveals that while U.S. roadway deaths declined slightly in 2023, the nation’s most serious crashes continue to be driven by larger vehicles, dangerous driving behaviors, and repeat demographic risk patterns. The findings come from a detailed review of 2023 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data examined in a new Pegasus Legal Capital study, which explores how today’s vehicle fleet and driver choices shape deadly outcomes on U.S. roads.
In 2023, 40,901 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes across the United States, down modestly from 2022’s total of 42,721 deaths. But beneath the improvement lies a deeper story about which vehicles are most involved in fatal crashes — and why.
Larger Vehicles Dominate Fatal Crashes
The study highlights a continuing shift in U.S. road risk driven by changing vehicle preferences. Light trucks — including pickups, SUVs, and crossovers — were involved in 25,336 fatal crashes, the highest of any vehicle category. Passenger cars followed with 18,778 deadly crashes, reflecting their continued prevalence on the road.
Motorcycles made up 6,432 fatal crash involvements, a striking figure given how few motorcycles operate compared to passenger cars and trucks. Large trucks were involved in 5,375 fatal crashes nationwide, while buses accounted for 244 deadly incidents. Another 2,154 deaths involved unclassified or specialty vehicles.
According to the analysis, the nation’s move toward heavier, taller vehicles — particularly SUVs and pickups — has reshaped injury severity and pedestrian risk. Increased vehicle mass and taller front-end designs change crash dynamics, often resulting in more severe injuries.
Deadliest Crashes Still Largely Driven by Human Behavior
The Pegasus Legal Capital report also makes clear that most fatal crashes are not random — they are tied to preventable driver behavior.
Of the 58,319 vehicles involved in deadly crashes in 2023:
• 17,872 involved unbelted occupants 17,152 involved alcohol-impaired drivers 10,743 involved speeding 3,143 involved distracted drivers
Despite decades of awareness campaigns, seat belt refusal remains the single most common behavioral factor associated with fatal crashes. Alcohol impairment continues to contribute to nearly one-third of roadway deaths nationwide, while speeding and distracted driving remain persistent and escalating threats.
Another 9,409 fatal crashes were linked to weather conditions, fatigue, medical emergencies, or mechanical failures, further illustrating the layered nature of risk behind the wheel.
Most Common Brands in Fatal Crashes Reflect Vehicle Popularity
Crash frequency also mirrors which vehicles Americans drive most. In 2023, the vehicle brands appearing most in fatal crashes were:
• Chevrolet — 7,261 • Ford — 7,150 • Toyota — 5,161 • Honda — 4,453 • Nissan — 3,279
The report notes that these numbers correlate closely with sales volume and miles driven, not necessarily with safety deficiencies. Best-selling family sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks naturally appear more frequently simply because they dominate U.S. roadways.
Popular models such as the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altimaranked among the most frequently involved individual vehicles — again reflecting ownership volume and widespread daily use.
Pedestrian Risk Rising Alongside Heavier Vehicles
The analysis also underscores a troubling reality: pedestrian deaths remain above 7,000 annually. As larger vehicles replace sedans, the risk to pedestrians has shifted accordingly.
Supporting safety research cited in the study shows that:
• Pickups are 42% more likely than cars to hit pedestrians during left turns • SUVs increase left-turn pedestrian crash risk by 23% • On straight roads, pickups are 80% more likely than cars to strike a pedestrian • SUVs are 61% more likely in similar situations
These shifts reflect changing visibility ranges, larger blind zones, and more forceful impact dynamics.
Nighttime Driving, Seat Belt Use, and Vehicle Age Intensify Risk
Nighttime continues to be disproportionately deadly. More than half of nighttime passenger-vehicle fatalities involved unbelted occupants, showing how darkness, speed, and lack of restraints combine into a highly dangerous pattern.
Vehicle age also matters. Drivers in vehicles older than 15 years face significantly higher fatality risk, often due to fewer advanced safety features such as stability control, collision-avoidance technology, and modern restraint systems.
Who Is Most at Risk?
The study confirms that younger and middle-aged adults bear the highest risk on U.S. roads. Drivers between 16 and 44 years old represent the largest share of fatal crash involvement, reflecting higher travel volume, greater likelihood of speeding, and elevated risk-taking behavior.
Fatalities decline steadily with age, although risks remain meaningful among older adults.
Preventable CrisisUltimately, the Pegasus Legal Capital study concludes that the overwhelming majority of fatal crashes remain preventable. Larger vehicles, persistent speeding, drunk driving, lack of seat belt use, distracted driving, and demographic exposure all intersect to shape outcomes.
The report argues that meaningful progress will require stronger enforcement, infrastructure redesign, continued expansion of vehicle safety technology, and ongoing public education — especially targeted at the highest-risk groups.
Until then, the findings suggest that while roadway deaths may fluctuate from year to year, the underlying causes remain stubbornly consistent.
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