Fatal Crashes Only
This report covers fatal crashes only, from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System — the federal census of every crash on a US public road that killed someone within 30 days. It does not include injury or property-damage-only crashes, and its totals are not comparable with the all-severity crash reports published elsewhere on this site.
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YEAR-OVER-YEAR CRASH REPORT · NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK · 2023
Purpose: Machine-readable JSON endpoint for AI agents, LLMs, researchers, and programmatic consumers. Returns all underlying crash data and AI-generated commentary without HTML.
Authentication: None required. Public endpoint.
GET: https://thatcarhitme.com/api/crash-data/reports/data/new-york/fatal/new-york-city/2023-annual-report
Yearly Traffic Safety Analysis
109 CRASHES IN
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
2023
Fatal crashes in New York City decreased by 19.3% from 135 in 2022 to 109 in 2023. Total fatalities also saw a reduction, dropping by 18.7% from 139 to 113. The most notable shift was a 34.9% decrease in pedestrian fatalities, falling from 63 in 2022 to 41 in 2023.
109
▼ -19.3%was 135
Total Crash Events
113
▼ -18.7%was 139
Persons Killed
57
▼ -33.7%was 86
Persons Injured
21
▼ -38.2%was 34
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Note: "Persons Killed" (113) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (109) counts crash events where at least one fatality occurred. A single crash can result in multiple fatalities.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Aggregate counts from crash, person, and vehicle records
Trend Summary
Fatal crashes in New York City experienced a downward trend, decreasing by 19.3% year-over-year, from 135 fatal crashes in 2022 to 109 fatal crashes in 2023. This reduction represents 26 fewer fatal crash events. Similarly, the total number of fatalities decreased by 18.7%, from 139 in 2022 to 113 in 2023.
21
Hit-and-Run Crashes — 2023
▼ -38.2% vs prior (34)
Hit-and-run fatal crashes decreased from 34 in 2022 to 21 in 2023, a reduction of 13 incidents. The hit-and-run rate also decreased from 25.2% of all fatal crashes in 2022 to 19.3% in 2023.
Vulnerable Road User Casualties
41
Pedestrians Killed
15
Cyclists Killed
56
Motorists Killed
1
Other Killed
5
Pedestrians Injured
0
Cyclists Injured
52
Motorists Injured
0
Other Injured
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Mode classified from person records (driver/passenger → motorist; pedestrian; bicyclist → cyclist; in-line skater / unspecified → other)
When Crashes Happen
The peak day for fatal crashes shifted from Friday in 2022, with 26 fatal crashes, to Monday in 2023, with 20 fatal crashes. The peak hour also changed, moving from 6 PM in 2022 (11 fatal crashes) to 9 PM in 2023 (15 fatal crashes). Fatal crashes on Thursdays decreased from 20 in 2022 to 18 in 2023, while fatal crashes on Mondays increased from 17 to 20.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash date field aggregated by weekday
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash time field aggregated by hour (0-23)
Road & Environmental Conditions
Fatal crashes occurring in clear weather conditions decreased from 105 in 2022 to 87 in 2023, and those in rain decreased from 16 to 9. Fatal crashes under 'Dark - Lighted' conditions decreased from 73 in 2022 to 64 in 2023, while fatal crashes in daylight decreased from 50 to 35. The number of fatal crashes occurring at dawn decreased from 5 in 2022 to 4 in 2023.
Weather
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Weather condition at time of crash
Lighting
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Lighting condition field
Vehicles & Demographics
The total number of vehicles involved in fatal crashes decreased from 193 in 2022 to 162 in 2023. Honda vehicles involved in fatal crashes increased from 9 in 2022 to 23 in 2023, becoming the top make in 2023. Conversely, Ford vehicles involved in fatal crashes decreased from 21 to 6, and Toyota vehicles decreased from 17 to 15.
Top Vehicle Makes (162 vehicles)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
10 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.
Sex Distribution (265 persons with recorded sex)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Speed Limit Zones
Fatal crashes occurring in 25 mph speed zones decreased from 104 in 2022 to 82 in 2023. Fatal crashes in 50 mph zones also saw a slight decrease, from 22 in 2022 to 20 in 2023. Fatal crashes in 30 mph zones decreased from 6 in 2022 to 3 in 2023.
Fatal crashes by zone: 25 mph: 82 of 82 (100%) · 30 mph: 3 of 3 (100%) · 35 mph: 2 of 2 (100%) · 45 mph: 1 of 1 (100%) · 50 mph: 20 of 20 (100%)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Posted speed limit at crash location
Manner of Collision
The dominant manner of fatal crashes in both periods was 'The First Harmful Event was Not a Collision with a Motor Vehicle in Transport', accounting for 103 fatal crashes in 2022 and 75 in 2023. Fatal angle collisions remained constant at 18 in both years. Front-to-rear fatal collisions decreased from 10 in 2022 to 7 in 2023, and front-to-front fatal collisions decreased from 4 to 3.
Manner of Collision
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Vehicle Type
The most common vehicle body type in fatal crashes was '4-door sedan, hardtop', which decreased from 43 in 2022 to 36 in 2023. 'Compact Utility' vehicles remained consistent at 33 in both years. Fatal crashes involving 'Two Wheel Motorcycle' increased from 12 in 2022 to 18 in 2023, while 'Motor Scooter' involvement remained at 10 for both periods.
Vehicle Type
Showing top 9 of 24 reported. 15 additional (32 total) not shown: Light Pickup, Moped, Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 19,501 to 26,000 lbs.), 5-door/4-door hatchback, Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 10,001 to 19,500 lbs.), Medium/heavy Pickup (GVWR greater than 10,000 lbs.), Transit Bus (City Bus), 2-door sedan,hardtop,coupe, Unknown body type, Utility Vehicle, Unknown body type, ATV/ATC [All-Terrain Cycle], Construction equipment other than trucks (includes graders), Off-road Motorcycle, School Bus, Unknown light vehicle type (automobile,utility vehicle, van, or light truck).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Rural vs Urban
In 2023, 108 fatal crashes occurred on urban trafficways, while 1 fatal crash occurred on a rural trafficway. The overwhelming majority of fatal crashes in this jurisdiction occurred in urban settings.
Rural vs Urban
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Functional Class
In both years, principal arterial roadways accounted for a significant share of fatal crashes, with 45 on 'Principal Arterial - Other' in 2022 and 36 on 'Other Principal Arterial' in 2023. Fatal crashes on local roads decreased from 33 in 2022 to 16 in 2023. Fatal crashes on interstates decreased from 14 in 2022 to 11 in 2023.
Roadway Functional Class
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Ownership
Fatal crashes on roadways owned by 'City or Municipal Highway Agency' decreased from 107 in 2022 to 85 in 2023. Fatal crashes on 'State Highway Agency' roadways decreased from 28 in 2022 to 24 in 2023. City or municipal roadways continued to account for the majority of fatal crashes in both periods.
Roadway Ownership
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Type
The dominant person type involved in fatal crashes was 'driver', decreasing from 191 in 2022 to 159 in 2023. 'Pedestrian' involvement decreased from 65 in 2022 to 46 in 2023, representing a notable share of persons in fatal crashes. 'Passenger' involvement decreased from 95 to 52, and 'bicyclist' involvement decreased from 16 to 15.
Person Type
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Injury Severity
The number of persons with fatal injuries decreased from 139 in 2022 to 113 in 2023. Persons with no injuries decreased from 146 to 103. Persons with serious injuries decreased from 14 in 2022 to 8 in 2023, and those with possible injuries decreased from 46 to 30.
Person Injury Severity
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Occupant Safety Equipment
The number of persons reported as having 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' decreased from 133 in 2022 to 102 in 2023. Persons reported with 'None Used/Not Applicable' safety equipment decreased from 62 in 2022 to 47 in 2023. 'Lap Belt Only Used' increased from 3 in 2022 to 6 in 2023.
Occupant Safety Equipment
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Point of Impact
The '12 Clock Point' remained the dominant point of impact, decreasing from 121 instances in 2022 to 92 in 2023. The '6 Clock Point' also saw a decrease, from 21 in 2022 to 13 in 2023. 'Right-Front Side' impacts increased from 3 in 2022 to 8 in 2023.
Point of Impact
"Other" combines 11 smaller categories (22 records): 9 Clock Point (4), Undercarriage (3), Reported as Unknown (3), 5 Clock Point (2), Non-Collision (2), Right (2), 3 Clock Point (2), Left (1), 1 Clock Point (1), 11 Clock Point (1), Top (1).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Vehicles Per Crash
Single-vehicle fatal crashes decreased from 78 in 2022 to 60 in 2023. Two-vehicle fatal crashes also decreased, from 39 in 2022 to 35 in 2023. Fatal crashes involving three vehicles decreased from 13 to 10.
Vehicles Per Crash
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Data Sources & Methodology
Primary Data Source
All crash data in this report is sourced from NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), accessed programmatically via the NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SODA). This dataset contains official police-reported motor vehicle traffic crash records maintained by the reporting jurisdiction's law enforcement agency. Records are published to the open data portal by the municipality and are subject to the portal's terms of use.
Data Retrieval
- Access method: NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SoQL queries)
- Data format: Structured JSON via REST API
- Record types queried: Crash events, person records, and vehicle unit records
- Date filter applied: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31
- Report generated: August 5, 2026
Data Coverage
- Reporting period: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31 (365 days)
- Geographic scope: New York City, New York
- Total crash records analyzed: 109
- Total persons involved: 273
- Total vehicles involved: 162
Analytical Methodology
- Severity classification: Uses the KABCO injury scale (K=Fatal, A=Incapacitating injury, B=Non-incapacitating injury, C=Possible injury, O=No injury/property damage only), the standard classification in U.S. Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC). Severity is assigned per crash event based on the most severe injury in that crash. A single fatal crash (K) may involve multiple fatalities; therefore the "Persons Killed" count in the headline KPIs may differ from the "Fatal" crash count in the severity breakdown.
- Contributing factors: Reflect the officer-determined primary contributory cause recorded at the time of the crash report. These are preliminary determinations and may not reflect final investigation findings.
- Hit-and-run classification: Based on the hit-and-run indicator field in the official crash report, as determined by the responding officer at the scene.
- Temporal analysis: Day-of-week and hour-of-day distributions are computed from the crash date/time timestamp in each record.
- Demographics: Age and sex distributions are drawn from person-level records linked to each crash event. A single crash may involve multiple persons.
- Vehicle data: Make information is drawn from vehicle unit records linked to each crash event.
- AI commentary: Narrative sections are generated by Google Gemini (large language model) based on the structured data. Commentary is descriptive, not predictive, and should not be interpreted as expert opinion.
Limitations & Disclaimers
- Only crashes reported to and documented by law enforcement are included. Minor incidents, unreported crashes, and near-misses are not captured in this dataset.
- Data reflects conditions at the time of the initial police report and may be subject to subsequent corrections, reclassifications, or supplements by the reporting agency.
- Open data portal records may experience a publication lag - recently occurring crashes may not yet appear in the dataset at the time of report generation.
- AI-generated commentary is produced by a large language model and is intended to highlight patterns in the data. It does not constitute legal, medical, or professional analysis.
- Percentages are calculated from reported data and are subject to rounding.
Non-Affiliation Disclosure
This report is produced independently by ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in partnership with any law enforcement agency, municipal government, state department of transportation, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Data is sourced from publicly available government open data portals.
Data License
The underlying crash data is provided under the municipality's Open Data Terms of Use and is made available to the public for unrestricted use. This analysis and report is © 2026 Injuria.ai and may be cited with attribution using the suggested citation below.
Corrections & Feedback
If you believe any data in this report is inaccurate or have questions about our methodology, please contact: data@injuria.ai. We are committed to accuracy and will issue corrections promptly.
Suggested Citation
ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). "New York City, New York Crash Intelligence Report: 2023." Published August 5, 2026. Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31. Data source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), NHTSA FARS Open Data. Available at: https://thatcarhitme.com/crash-data/new-york/fatal/new-york-city/2023-annual-report
About the Publisher
ThatCarHitMe.com is a crash data intelligence platform developed by Injuria.ai, a legal technology company specializing in traffic safety analytics. We aggregate and analyze publicly available government crash data to produce structured intelligence reports for communities, researchers, journalists, and legal professionals. Our reports combine programmatic data retrieval from official open data portals with AI-assisted narrative analysis.
Questions about this report's data or methodology: data@injuria.ai
ThatCarHitMe.com · An Injuria.ai Company
ThatCarHitMe.com
An Injuria.ai Company
Crash Data Intelligence
Data: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · NHTSA FARS
Period: 2023-01-01 – 2023-12-31
Generated: August 5, 2026 · All rights reserved
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