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 · NORTH DAKOTA · 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/north-dakota/fatal/statewide/2023-annual-report
Yearly Traffic Safety Analysis
96 CRASHES IN
NORTH DAKOTA
2023
Fatal crashes remained stable at 96 in both the current and prior periods. However, total fatalities increased by 8.16%, rising from 98 in the prior period to 106 in the current period. This indicates a higher severity of outcomes per fatal crash year-over-year.
96
Total Crash Events
106
▲ 8.2%was 98
Persons Killed
81
▲ 22.7%was 66
Persons Injured
3
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Note: "Persons Killed" (106) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (96) 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
The number of fatal crashes remained stable at 96 in both the current and prior periods. Despite this, total fatalities increased by 8.16%, from 98 in the prior period to 106 in the current period, indicating an increase in the number of persons killed per fatal crash.
3
Hit-and-Run Crashes — 2023
▼ 0.0% vs prior (3)
The number of hit-and-run fatal crashes remained stable at 3 in both the current and prior periods. The hit-and-run rate also remained unchanged at 3.1% of all fatal crashes year-over-year.
Vulnerable Road User Casualties
10
Pedestrians Killed
96
Motorists Killed
0
Pedestrians Injured
81
Motorists 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 Saturday, with 26 fatal crashes in the prior period, to Thursday, with 19 fatal crashes in the current period. The peak hour for fatal crashes remained 12a (midnight), with the count increasing from 9 fatal crashes in the prior period to 16 in the current period.
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
Clear weather remained the most frequent condition for fatal crashes in both periods, with 65 fatal crashes. Cloudy conditions decreased from 15 fatal crashes to 10, while blowing snow conditions increased from 1 to 4 fatal crashes. Daylight fatal crashes decreased from 54 to 41, while fatal crashes in dark, unlighted conditions remained stable at 23.
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
Chevrolet remained the top vehicle make involved in fatal crashes with 30 incidents in both periods. Ford saw a slight decrease in involvement from 23 fatal crashes to 21, and Dodge decreased from 13 to 11 fatal crashes. Harley-Davidson involvement decreased from 9 to 6 fatal crashes.
Top Vehicle Makes (147 vehicles)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
5 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.
Sex Distribution (226 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
The highest number of fatal crashes continued to occur in zones with speed limits of 55 mph and 65 mph. Fatal crashes at 55 mph increased slightly from 30 to 31, while those at 65 mph decreased from 29 to 23. Fatal crashes at 75 mph remained stable at 10 in both periods.
Fatal crashes by zone: 20 mph: 1 of 1 (100%) · 25 mph: 6 of 6 (100%) · 30 mph: 2 of 2 (100%) · 35 mph: 4 of 4 (100%) · 40 mph: 6 of 6 (100%) · 45 mph: 2 of 2 (100%) · 50 mph: 3 of 3 (100%) · 55 mph: 31 of 31 (100%) · 60 mph: 1 of 1 (100%) · 65 mph: 23 of 23 (100%) · 70 mph: 7 of 7 (100%) · 75 mph: 10 of 10 (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 collision was 'The First Harmful Event was Not a Collision with a Motor Vehicle in Transport', which increased from 45 in the prior period to 49 in the current period. Angle collisions remained stable at 27 fatal crashes in both periods. Front-to-Front collisions decreased from 14 to 11 fatal crashes.
Manner of Collision
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Vehicle Type
Light Pickups remained a leading vehicle body type in fatal crashes, though their involvement decreased from 43 in the prior period to 34 in the current period. Two Wheel Motorcycles saw a decrease from 20 to 14 fatal crashes. Conversely, 4-door sedans involved in fatal crashes increased from 12 to 26.
Vehicle Type
Showing top 9 of 25 reported. 16 additional (21 total) not shown: 2-door sedan,hardtop,coupe, Unknown body type, Minivan (Chrysler Town and Country, Caravan, Grand Caravan, Voyager, Voyager, Honda-Odyssey, ...), School Bus, Utility station wagon (includes suburban limousines, Suburban, Travellall, Grand Wagoneer), ATV/ATC [All-Terrain Cycle], Convertible(excludes sun-roof,t-bar), Farm equipment other than trucks, Golf Cart, Large Van-Includes van-based buses (B150-B350, Sportsman, Royal Maxiwagon, Ram, Tradesman,...), Other or Unknown automobile type, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle, Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 10,001 to 19,500 lbs.), Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 19,501 to 26,000 lbs.), Three-wheel Motorcycle (2 Rear Wheels), Unknown medium/heavy truck type.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Rural vs Urban
The distribution of fatal crashes between rural and urban areas remained unchanged, with 80 fatal crashes occurring in rural areas and 16 in urban areas in both periods. Rural areas continue to account for a disproportionately high share of fatal crashes.
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
Fatal crashes on 'Other Principal Arterial' roads decreased from 43 in the prior period to 35 in the current period. Major Collectors saw an increase from 22 to 24 fatal crashes. Interstate fatal crashes decreased from 14 to 10.
Roadway Functional Class
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Ownership
State Highway Agencies continued to oversee the highest number of fatal crashes, with 53 in the current period, a slight decrease from 54. County Highway Agencies saw a decrease from 24 to 21 fatal crashes. Fatal crashes on City or Municipal Highway Agency roads increased from 8 to 9.
Roadway Ownership
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Type
Drivers remained the most represented person type in fatal crashes, with their count decreasing from 152 to 144. Passengers involved in fatal crashes increased from 68 to 73. Pedestrians involved in fatal crashes increased from 7 to 10.
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 fatal injuries (K) increased from 98 in the prior period to 106 in the current period. Serious injuries (A) more than doubled, rising from 22 to 45. Conversely, the number of persons with no injuries (O) decreased from 65 to 41.
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 recorded with 'None Used/Not Applicable' safety equipment in fatal crashes increased from 98 in the prior period to 102 in the current period. Meanwhile, the use of 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' decreased from 98 to 83.
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' (front impact) remained the most frequent point of impact, increasing from 68 in the prior period to 74 in the current period. 'Non-Collision' events decreased slightly from 26 to 24. '24. Left-Front Side was the third most frequent impact point with 7 in the current period.
Point of Impact
"Other" combines 12 smaller categories (21 records): 3 Clock Point (3), 9 Clock Point (3), Reported as Unknown (3), Undercarriage (2), 7 Clock Point (2), Right-Back Side (2), 5 Clock Point (1), 4 Clock Point (1), 2 Clock Point (1), 1 Clock Point (1), Right-Front Side (1), Cargo/Vehicle Parts Set-In-Motion (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 increased from 43 in the prior period to 48 in the current period. Two-vehicle fatal crashes decreased from 48 to 45. The number of 3-vehicle fatal crashes decreased from 5 to 2.
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: North Dakota
- Total crash records analyzed: 96
- Total persons involved: 228
- Total vehicles involved: 147
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). "North Dakota 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/north-dakota/fatal/statewide/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
Someone you love in this data? We’ll help you find out if you have a case.
Call our intake team. We connect you to a vetted North Dakota attorney who handles fatal-crash and wrongful death cases, and who will treat your family’s situation with care.
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