Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics: News and Updates (2026)

We’ve gathered essential statistics and insights about motor vehicle safety to keep you in the know

Keeping informed is essential as vehicle usage, technology advancements, and safety regulations constantly emerge and change. Read on to discover the freshest US data on road safety and industry news for May 2025.

Featured ConsumerShield MVA Statistics

Self-Driving Vehicle Accidents 2025 - Technology Updates and Safety Data

The latest statistics from May 2025 reveal a mixed picture. The latest NHTSA data shows that self-driving vehicle crashes continue to fluctuate, with monthly accident numbers ranging from 22 to 81. Generally, since 2021, crashes of cars equipped with ADS (Automated Driving Systems) have been going up, although the numbers fluctuate from month to month.

September to December 2024 saw a spike in self-driving vehicle accidents. Much of the increase in accidents can be attributed to the ever-increasing number of ADS-assisted vehicles on our roads. While numbers may be trending down for January 2025, we will have to wait for the release of the NHTSA’s latest data to draw conclusions. Here are some of the main trends for May 2025:

Latest Autonomous Vehicle Safety Statistics

According to the NHTSA, manufacturers of automated vehicles keep improving technology to make driving safer than ever before. Fully autonomous vehicles have been involved in only one fatal accident in 2025 so far, compared to 49 deaths involving ADAS2-equipped vehicles. Unlike ADS, ADAS2 (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) is only partially automated and still requires some human oversight.

Waymo LLC reports the highest number of crashes among self-driving vehicle companies, with 835 incidents, while Zoox, Inc. has the fewest at 78.

What we know is that autonomous vehicle safety statistics show promising improvements, and self-driving cars have faster reaction times than human-driven cars, which should help to drive down accident numbers in the future. A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that self-driving cars generally have fewer accidents than human drivers in most similar driving situations.

Recent Technological Developments

Self-driving technology is constantly evolving. Some recent technological improvements include:

• 5G Network Integration. 5G technology is enhancing real-time data processing and communication between autonomous vehicles, improving their ability to navigate more safely.
• Sensor Improvements. Improvements in radar, cameras, and LiDAR technology have allowed self-driving cars to understand their surroundings better and, as a result, make better driving decisions.
• AI Learning. Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms constantly improve the decision-making capabilities of autonomous vehicles.

Current Testing Data and Incident Reports

AV testing tends to be limited and designated to specific locations and conditions. The NHTSA’s Automated Vehicle Tracking Tool provides information on testing locations and vehicles. The tool is updated frequently.

As of May 2025, NHTSA’s latest available data from 2024 reveals monthly self-driving vehicle incidents fluctuated throughout the year, ranging from as few as 22 to as many as 80 crashes per month.

Explore our in-depth analysis of self-driving car accident trends →

Truck Accidents 2025 - Latest Statistics and Trends

As of May 2025, the ConsumerShield data highlights a slight decrease in both the number of incidents and fatalities since a spike in truck accidents in 2021. This decline likely stems from improved truck safety features, stricter driving regulations, and truck drivers becoming more safety-conscious.

However, the latest insurance industry data shows that overall truck accident rates are now starting to exceed pre-pandemic levels. Crashes are driven by increased traffic volumes, driver shortages, and distracted driving.

Latest Truck Accident Figures

• The latest figures available for 2025 show 27,600 crashes from January to March 28.
• 2024 saw a total of 148,000 truck accidents, with 4,260 crashes involving fatalities.

Current Year-Over-Year Comparison Data

After a significant increase in 2021, truck accidents have steadily declined for three consecutive years.

Fatal truck crashes have followed their own patterns in recent years:

• 2021: 5,610 fatal crashes
• 2022: 5,800 fatal crashes (peak)
• 2023: 4,860 fatal crashes
• 2024: 4,260 fatal crashes
• 2025: 645 fatal crashes (as of March 28, 2025)

It’s too early to predict how 2025 will look with only three months of data. However, the good news is that deadly truck accidents have dropped significantly over the last two years. This improvement may be due to advancements in truck safety technology, stricter enforcement of regulations, and enhanced driver training programs, all contributing to safer roads.

Recent Safety Trend Information

Trucks are getting safer due to numerous recent technology innovations and safety trends, including:

• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). A recent NHTSA study shows that systems, including automatic emergency braking (AEB) and forward-collision warnings, reduce crash frequency by approximately 50%.
• Rear-View Cameras. Adding rear-view cameras to trucks and other large commercial vehicles reduces blind spots and improves overall safety.
• Forward Collision Warning Systems. These systems alert drivers if they are too close to another vehicle, helping to prevent rear-end collisions.
• Driver Monitoring Systems. Advanced in-cab monitoring technology uses cameras and sensors to detect driver distraction and impairment, issuing alerts when necessary.

Unfortunately, despite these technological developments, truck crashes still occur due to negligent driver conduct, such as speeding and distracted driving, and for other reasons.

Read our complete analysis of truck accident statistics →

Key Findings This Month

Our analysis of this month's data reveals several significant trends affecting motor vehicle safety:

• Self-driving car crashes have continued to rise in 2025, with monthly accident numbers fluctuating between 22 and 81.
• Truck accidents have declined for three consecutive years after peaking in 2021. However, preliminary 2025 data suggests an increase due to higher traffic volumes and driver shortages.
• Fatal truck crashes dropped significantly from 5,800 in 2022 to 4,260 in 2024, but 2025 trends indicate a potential rise.
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems in trucks reduce crash frequency by approximately 50% according to NHTSA data.

Learn More: Explore our comprehensive research on annual accident statistics, vehicle fatalities, and other specialized accident data.

Motor Vehicle News and Updates

Recent Safety Developments

• Recalls of self-driving vehicles during 2024 have affected companies Cruise and Waymo.
• 5G Network Integration provides enhanced real-time data processing and communication between self-driving vehicles, improving navigation capabilities.
• A recent study in Nature Communications shows that self-driving cars typically have fewer crashes than human drivers in most similar driving situations.

Regulatory and Legal Updates

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed new rules for self-driving cars in December 2024. These rules aim to establish a voluntary national framework for the evaluation and oversight of vehicles equipped with automated driving systems (ADS).
• One of the largest verdicts ever was rendered by a jury in 2024 in a truck case in St. Louis City, delivering a $462 million verdict against Wabash National Corporation, finding the company responsible for the deaths of two young fathers killed in a truck accident. However, in March 2025, a St. Louis court reduced the punitive damages in the Wabash truck case from $450 million to $108 million.

Emerging Trends

• While truck accidents and particularly fatal incidents were trending downward, dropping from 5,800 in 2022 to 4,260 in 2024, early 2025 data suggests that truck accidents may be surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
• The emerging integration of multiple safety systems in self-driving vehicles combining technologies like 5G connectivity, improved sensors, and AI learning algorithms create safer autonomous driving systems.

Related Research and Resources

Settlement Information

Understanding potential compensation is crucial for accident victims. Explore our research:

• Average Car Accident Settlement
• Average Settlement for Minor Car Accidents
• Pain and Suffering Settlements
• Broken Bone Settlements
• Whiplash Settlement Averages
• Soft Tissue Injury Settlements

Accident Types and Statistics

Learn more about specific accident scenarios:

• T-Bone Accident Payouts
• Truck Accident Settlements
• Motorcycle Accident Settlements
• Pedestrian Accident Payouts
• Drunk Driving Accident Settlements
• Bus Accident Settlements

Accident Statistics and Trends

Explore our comprehensive accident data:

• Car Accidents Per Year
• Car Accidents Per Day
• Annual Traffic Fatalities
• Motorcycle Deaths Each Year
• Bicycle Deaths Per Year
• E-Bike and E-Scooter Accidents
• Vehicle Fires Per Year

Vehicle and Driver Information

Learn about the current state of vehicles on American roads:

• How Many Cars in the U.S.
• Average Cars Per Household
• How Many Truck Drivers
• How Many Electric Cars in U.S.
• Average Miles Driven Per Year
• Most Dangerous Cars
• How Many New Cars Are Sold Each Year

Risk Factors and Prevention

Understand the leading causes of accidents:

• Leading Causes of Vehicle Accidents
• Texting and Driving Statistics
• Distracted Driving Statistics
• Drunk Driving Deaths Each Year

About Our Data

This report compiles data from multiple authoritative sources, including:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
• State departments of transportation
• Automotive industry reports
• ConsumerShield's proprietary database

Data is collected, analyzed, and verified by our team of safety researchers and legal experts. While we strive for accuracy, statistics may be subject to revision as more information becomes available.