More Than Half of Fatal Crashes in 2023 Involved Striking Objects, From Trees to Fences to Animals

Written by  Maggie Davis

Edited by  Dan Shepard

+ 1 More

Published Oct 06, 2025 Content was accurate at the time of publication.

When people think of fatal crashes, high-speed collisions between vehicles often come to mind. But a significant percentage of deadly crashes in 2023 — the latest available — involved objects. More than half of them (52.0%) happened when a vehicle struck something fixed (like a tree, pole or guardrail) or something nonfixed (like a cyclist or animal). 

We’ll look at where fatal crashes involving fixed and nonfixed objects occurred most frequently, as well as the most common objects involved and when they happened the most. Additionally, we surveyed 2,000 U.S. consumers about their experiences hitting an animal and which one concerns them the most while driving. 

Key findings

Over half of fatal crashes involved striking objects

In 2023, 52.0% of fatal crashes involved fixed or nonfixed objects. Breaking that down, 27.6% involved fixed objects like trees, poles and guardrails.

By state, Maine had the highest rate of these crashes, at 47.2%. Rhode Island (44.8%) and Massachusetts (40.9%) followed. 

Conversely, New Mexico (12.9%), North Dakota (15.6%) and South Dakota (16.4%) had the lowest rates of fatal crashes involving fixed objects.

Auto insurance expert and licensed insurance agent Rob Bhatt notes that fatal crashes involving trees, poles and similar fixed objects tend to involve vehicles that have left the roadway.

“A vehicle that collides with a sturdy object is often going to bear the brunt of impact,” he says. “The injury risks get more severe when vehicles are traveling at higher speeds.”

Meanwhile, 24.4% involved nonfixed objects including pedestrians, cyclists and animals. The District of Columbia ranked first, with 46.2% of fatal crashes involving nonfixed objects. New Jersey and California tied for second, at 35.4%.

Meanwhile, Vermont (11.1%), Nebraska (11.2%) and Wyoming (11.6%) had the lowest rates of fatal crashes involving nonfixed objects.

Full rankings: States with highest/lowest rate of fatal crashes involving fixed objects, 2023

Full rankings: States with highest/lowest rate of fatal crashes involving nonfixed objects, 2023

Trees were most common fixed object in deadly crashes

When it comes to what drivers hit, trees were the most common fixed object in fatal crashes in 2023. They accounted for 2,490 (or 23.9%) of fatal crashes involving fixed objects — the highest by a significant amount. Curbs followed, accounting for 1,219 (or 11.7%), and ditches (881 or 8.5%) ranked third. 

Fatal crashes by fixed object type, 2023

Pedestrians were by far the most common nonfixed object involved in fatal crashes during this period. Of the 9,196 fatal crashes involving nonfixed objects, 6,777 (73.7%) involved pedestrians, followed by pedalcyclists (1,145 or 12.5%) and parked vehicles (463 or 5.0%). Meanwhile, live animals were involved in 218, or 2.4%.

Fatal crashes by nonfixed object type, 2023

Fatal crashes involving animals highest in summer, fall

Fatal crashes involving animals occur most often in the summer and fall. Looking at these deadly crashes from 2021 through 2023 (to show a wider sample), 71.3% happened in June through November. June alone accounted for 14.3%, while November had 12.9% and July and October had 12.3% each.

“June is a time of year when we see more drivers on the road and more activity among animals in the wild,” Bhatt says. 

Regardless, it’s essential to remain vigilant about the various hazards that can emerge on the roadway at any time of the year. It’s also important to be mindful of the various hazards that can arise unexpectedly.

Deer birth season (fawning) is most common in June, so they may be more active during this time. Meanwhile, November is peak deer mating season, during which deer move around more frequently and unpredictably. 

As for when these deadly crashes occur, fixed-object ones were most common overnight in 2023, while nonfixed crashes peaked in the evening. (Note: This looks solely at 2023 because our sample size was large enough for this breakdown.) Between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., 43.4% of fatal crashes involved a fixed object, ahead of 43.1% between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. 

Meanwhile, nonfixed objects were most likely to be a factor between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., playing a role in 38.6% of fatal crashes.

40% of Americans have hit animal while driving

In a separately conducted survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers, 40% of Americans admitted to hitting an animal while driving. Men (46%) were more likely to hit an animal while driving than women (34%). Meanwhile, baby boomers ages 61 to 79 (46%) were the most likely age group to do so.

“Hitting an animal can be traumatizing for a driver, and possibly damaging,” Bhatt says. “It’s especially important to be mindful of this risk when you’re driving through rural and wildland areas — especially if you come across an animal crossing sign.” 

Being alert and driving at an appropriate speed is a good way to protect yourself and any wild animals that may enter your path.

Notably, a significant 62% know someone who has hit an animal while driving. In total, 55% of Americans worry about it while driving around the area where they live.

Deer concern Americans the most

When it comes to the animal most concerning for drivers, deer are at the top of the list. In fact, 49% of Americans say deer give them the most concern while driving. Dogs and cats follow at 31%. 

Overall, though, 86% of consumers take extra precautions when driving in areas known for deer crossings. 

Mitigating risks while driving: Top expert tips

Hitting an animal can be more than just a scary experience — it’s a potentially expensive and painful event. To help prepare yourself and mitigate risks while driving, we offer the following advice: 

Methodology

LendingTree researchers analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data using the Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST).

Researchers examined fatal crashes from 2023 (the most recent year available) to determine the number of deadly crashes by state that involved either a fixed or nonfixed object. Crashes were classified by their first harmful event. 

Fixed objects included:

Nonfixed objects included: 

Additionally, researchers analyzed the amount of fatal crashes by object type, time of day and month. Our monthly look analyzes 2021-to-2023 data to provide a wider sample.

Separately, LendingTree commissioned QuestionPro to conduct an online survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers ages 18 to 79 from Sept. 2 to 4, 2025. The survey was administered using a nonprobability-based sample, and quotas were used to ensure the sample base represented the overall population. Researchers reviewed all responses for quality control. 

We defined generations as the following ages in 2025: