New U.S. Crash Study Reveals Light Trucks Dominate Fatal Collisions as Pedestrian Risk Rises
A new nationwide crash analysis shows that while U.S. roadway fatalities are beginning to ease slightly, the risks shaping America’s deadliest crashes are shifting — and remain deeply tied to vehicle type, driver behavior, and demographic patterns. The findings come from a comprehensive review of 2023 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data and supporting safety research. The full national breakdown and legal implications are explored in the Pegasus Legal Capital study, which examines how the modern vehicle fleet and driver decisions interact to influence outcomes on U.S. roads.
In 2023, the United States recorded 40,901 motor vehicle deaths, involving 58,319 vehicles in fatal crashes. Although this represents a modest decline from 2022, the broader picture shows persistent structural risks — especially as larger vehicles now dominate American roads.
Light Trucks Now Lead Fatal Crash Involvement
Light trucks — a category that includes pickups, SUVs, and crossovers — were involved in 25,336 fatal crashes, the largest share of any vehicle type. Passenger cars accounted for 18,778, while motorcycles were involved in 6,432, highlighting the extreme vulnerability riders face. Large trucks were involved in 5,375 fatal crashes, buses in 244, and 2,154 incidents involved other or unclassified vehicles.
This trend reflects the shift in America’s vehicle fleet. Pickups and SUVs continue to replace sedans as family vehicles, bringing increased vehicle mass, taller front ends, and larger blind zones into everyday urban and suburban environments. The report notes that design differences change impact severity and pedestrian risk profiles, especially around intersections, neighborhoods, schools, and busy corridors.
Human Behavior Remains the Largest Risk Factor
The majority of fatal crashes remain tied to preventable driver actions. Of the 58,319 vehicles involved in deadly crashes:
- 17,872 involved unbelted occupants
• 17,152 involved alcohol-impaired drivers
• 10,743 involved speeding
• 3,143 involved distracted driving
Despite decades of public campaigns, failing to wear a seatbelt remains the single most common factor linked to deadly outcomes. Alcohol impairment continues to account for nearly one-third of traffic deaths nationwide. Speeding still magnifies the severity of crashes, while distracted driving — particularly involving mobile devices — represents a growing enforcement and safety challenge.
An additional 9,409 fatal crashes were linked to weather, fatigue, mechanical failure, or medical emergencies, underscoring the layered nature of road risk.
Which Brands Appear Most in Fatal Crashes?
Crash frequency also mirrors which vehicles Americans drive most. In 2023 fatal crashes, the most common brands involved were:
- Chevrolet — 7,261
• Ford — 7,150
• Toyota — 5,161
• Honda — 4,453
• Nissan — 3,279
These figures align with national registration volumes and miles driven, rather than indicating safety deficiencies. Popular models — including leading pickups and best-selling sedans — naturally appear most often because they are the vehicles most frequently on the road.
Pedestrian Risk Reflects a Changing Fleet
The study highlights a particularly concerning trend: pedestrian deaths remain above 7,000 annually, even as overall roadway fatalities begin to stabilize. As America shifts toward taller, heavier vehicles, pedestrian danger increasingly correlates with vehicle geometry.
Independent safety research cited in the report finds pickups 42% more likely than cars to hit pedestrians during left turns, while SUVs increase left-turn risk by 23%. On straight roadways, pickups are 80% more likely than cars to strike a pedestrian; SUVs are 61% more likely. These patterns reflect visibility limitations and higher impact forces.
Nighttime, Seatbelts, and Vehicle Age Matter
Nighttime remains particularly lethal. More than half of nighttime passenger-vehicle fatalities involve unbelted occupants, meaning that darkness, speed, and restraint refusal combine into a particularly deadly risk profile. Vehicle age also plays a role: drivers in vehicles older than 15 years face a 31% higher risk of death in fatal crashes, often due to fewer advanced safety systems.
The Bottom Line
While total roadway fatalities are trending modestly downward, the risks remain significant — and increasingly shaped by the vehicles Americans drive and the choices they make behind the wheel. Light trucks now dominate fatal crash involvement. Preventable behaviors still account for most deadly outcomes. Younger and middle-aged drivers remain the most exposed, while pedestrian danger continues to rise.
The study argues that meaningful progress will require coordinated action: targeted enforcement, infrastructure redesign, smarter policy, and continued education around speeding, restraint use, alcohol impairment, and distraction. Legal and regulatory discussions are also evolving as vehicle design, safety expectations, and accountability standards continue to change.
