Key Highlights
- California ranks 4th in the nation for the lowest rate of animal-related fatal vehicle crashes, with an average of 0.17 fatal crashes per million registered vehicles from 2020 to 2024, a rate over 15 times lower than Wisconsin (2.64).
- California recorded 28 fatal vehicle crashes caused by animals from 2020 to 2024, averaging 5.6 per year, with the highest single year being 2023 at 8 fatal crashes.
- California’s fatal animal-related crashes peaked at 8 in 2023, up 100% from the five-year low of 4 crashes recorded in 2024.
As fall arrives and deer mating season peaks, California drivers benefit from one of the lowest rates of fatal animal strikes of any state in the nation. From 2020 to 2024, California recorded 28 fatal vehicle crashes caused by animals, averaging 5.6 per year, and ranking 4th safest among all 50 U.S. states when adjusted for the number of registered vehicles.
With approximately 32.13 million registered vehicles and an expansive highway system spanning urban centers and less densely wooded terrain compared to higher-risk states, California’s rate of 0.17 fatal crashes per million registered vehicles is among the lowest in the country.
The study conducted by New York-based Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers analyzed five years (2020–2024) of FARS / CDAN data on fatal vehicle crashes caused by animals across all 50 U.S. states alongside each state’s average annual registered vehicle count from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. States were ranked by the average number of fatal animal-related vehicle crashes per million registered vehicles from lowest to highest to identify where drivers face the least risk from animal strikes.
Top 10 U.S. States With the Lowest Rate of Fatal Animal-Related Vehicle Crashes
States With the Fewest Fatal Vehicle Crashes Caused by Animals per Million Registered Vehicles (2020–2024 Average)
| State | Avg Annual Vehicles Registered (2020–2024) | Avg Fatal Crashes (2020–2024) | Avg Fatal Crashes per Million Vehicles | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 1,219,298 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 |
| Massachusetts | 5,202,795 | 0.4 | 0.08 | 2 |
| New Hampshire | 1,397,389 | 0.2 | 0.14 | 3 |
| California | 32,131,477 | 5.6 | 0.17 | 4 |
| Rhode Island | 838,177 | 0.2 | 0.24 | 5 |
| Connecticut | 2,833,724 | 1.2 | 0.42 | 6 |
| Florida | 19,117,483 | 9 | 0.47 | 7 |
| Idaho | 1,985,975 | 1 | 0.50 | 8 |
| New York | 12,430,922 | 6.4 | 0.51 | 9 |
| Alabama | 5,347,986 | 2.8 | 0.52 | 10 |
Hawaii leads the nation as the safest state for animal-related vehicle crashes with zero fatal incidents recorded from 2020 to 2024. Massachusetts and New Hampshire follow with rates of just 0.08 and 0.14, respectively. California, Rhode Island and Connecticut round out the top six, while Florida, Idaho, New York and Alabama complete the top 10.
Looking at the Study, Chrissy Grigoropoulos, Founder of Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, Commented:
“Deer strike season poses serious risks on American roads. Drivers should stay especially alert at dawn and dusk, while states should strengthen wildlife crossings and road safety efforts to help prevent fatal crashes. High deer populations and rural roads can increase the risk, making awareness and caution especially important during fall.”
California’s Year-by-Year Fatal Animal-Related Vehicle Crash Data
California’s Fatal Vehicle Crashes Caused by Animals, Year-by-Year Breakdown (2020–2024)
| State | Avg Annual Vehicles Registered (2020–2024) | Fatal Crashes 2020 | Fatal Crashes 2021 | Fatal Crashes 2022 | Fatal Crashes 2023 | Fatal Crashes 2024 | Avg Fatal Crashes (2020–2024) | Avg Fatal Crashes per Million Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 32,131,477 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 5.6 | 0.17 |
California’s fatal animal-related vehicle crash numbers remained relatively stable over the five-year period. The state recorded 5 fatal crashes in 2020, held at 5 in 2021, rose slightly to 6 in 2022, peaked at 8 in 2023, then dropped to 4 in 2024. Despite being the most populous state with approximately 32.13 million registered vehicles, California averaged just 5.6 fatal animal crashes per year, fewer than much smaller states like Wisconsin (15), Pennsylvania (18.2), and Michigan (14.2).
Methodology
This study analyzed 2020–2024 FARS / CDAN (Fatality Analysis Reporting System / Crash Data Analysis Network) data on fatal vehicle crashes caused by animals across all 50 U.S. states alongside average annual vehicle registration counts from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).
For each state, the average number of fatal vehicle crashes caused by animals per year from 2020 to 2024 was calculated and then divided by the state’s average annual registered vehicles (in millions) over the same period to produce a rate of fatal animal-related crashes per million registered vehicles. States were ranked from lowest to highest rate to identify where drivers face the least risk from animal strikes on the road.
