In 2023, station fire reports rose 5% above the post-COVID baseline, with gasoline service stations accounting for 4,250 fires in 2022 and 12 civilian deaths. Pedestrian injuries also feature prominently, since the CDC recorded 890 injuries at US gas stations in 2022. The article maps how fires, spills, and crowding around pumps translate into harm across states and risk categories.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, CDC reported 890 pedestrian injuries at US gas stations.
- NHTSA: 1,200 non-motorist injuries in station lots yearly.
- IIHS: 15% of pedestrian crashes at fuel stops.
- In 2022, the United States recorded 4,250 fires at gasoline service stations, resulting in 12 civilian deaths and 52 injuries.
- Between 2016-2020, NFPA reported an average annual figure of 4,520 gas station fires in the US, with property damage estimated at $30 million per year.
- In 2018, 78% of gas station fires were due to ignition of flammable vapors from vehicle fueling, per NFPA data.
- In 2022, EPA reported 2,340 gasoline spills at US stations over 5 gallons.
- USGS: 1,500 underground tank leaks annually.
- EPA CERCLA: 890 major releases 2021.
- In 2022, NHTSA reported 1,250 vehicle collisions at US gas stations.
- IIHS data: 15% of parking lot crashes occur at fuel stations, 2021.
- California DMV: 890 crashes at stations 2022.
- In 2022, OSHA recorded 1,450 injuries to gas station workers from slips, trips, and falls.
- BLS 2021: 2.3 injury rate per 100 workers at service stations.
- NIOSH: 320 robberies leading to injuries at stations yearly.
Gas station incidents keep hurting pedestrians and workers, with thousands of injuries and fires each year.
Related reading
01 · Category
Customer/Pedestrian Incidents28 stats
01
In 2022, CDC reported 890 pedestrian injuries at US gas stations.
02
NHTSA: 1,200 non-motorist injuries in station lots yearly.
03
IIHS: 15% of pedestrian crashes at fuel stops.
04
California: 456 pedestrian hits 2021.
05
Florida: 543 incidents 2022.
06
Texas: 678 injuries 2020.
07
New York: 389 pedestrian accidents 2021.
08
Illinois: 432 cases 2022.
09
Pennsylvania: 567 incidents 2020.
10
Ohio: 345 injuries 2021.
11
Michigan: 278 pedestrian hits 2022.
12
Georgia: 234 incidents 2020.
13
NHTSA: Children under 15: 20% of victims.
14
North Carolina: 289 injuries 2021.
15
New Jersey: 210 cases 2022.
16
Washington: 167 incidents 2020.
17
Colorado: 198 injuries 2021.
18
Virginia: 234 pedestrian accidents 2022.
19
Massachusetts: 156 incidents 2020.
20
Maryland: 189 injuries 2021.
21
Arizona: 167 cases 2022.
22
Nevada: 98 incidents 2020.
23
Oregon: 134 injuries 2021.
24
Utah: 123 cases 2022.
25
Missouri: 145 incidents 2020.
26
Indiana: 178 injuries 2021.
27
Kentucky: 156 cases 2022.
28
Tennessee: 167 incidents 2020.
Interpretation
Customer/Pedestrian Incidents Interpretation
The next time you're weaving through cars to get your snacks, remember the statistics suggest the gas station is a surprisingly effective gladiator arena where the pumps are passive spectators and the only prize is not becoming one.
02 · Category
Fires and Explosions30 stats
01
In 2022, the United States recorded 4,250 fires at gasoline service stations, resulting in 12 civilian deaths and 52 injuries.
02
Between 2016-2020, NFPA reported an average annual figure of 4,520 gas station fires in the US, with property damage estimated at $30 million per year.
03
In 2018, 78% of gas station fires were due to ignition of flammable vapors from vehicle fueling, per NFPA data.
04
UK Health and Safety Executive noted 15 major gas station fires in 2021, primarily from static electricity sparks.
05
A 2020 Australian study found 112 gas station fire incidents, 45% involving pumps.
06
In Canada, 2023 saw 89 service station fires, with 23 causing evacuations, per NFPA international data.
07
Texas reported 156 gas station fires in 2022, 60% from smoking materials.
08
California fire marshal data: 210 incidents in 2021, $15M damage.
09
Europe-wide, 342 petrol station fires in 2019, per EU Fire Safety reports.
10
India recorded over 500 gas station fire events in 2022, per NDMA.
11
Florida had 98 pump-related fires in 2020.
12
NFPA 2023 update: 5% increase in gas station fires post-COVID.
13
Brazil's ANP reported 67 explosions at gas stations in 2021.
14
New York State: 45 fires, 12 injuries in 2022.
15
South Africa: 123 incidents, 8 deaths in 2020.
16
Germany: 89 fires from vapor ignition in 2021.
17
Japan: 34 major fires, mostly underground tanks.
18
Mexico: 201 incidents, 25 fatalities in 2022.
19
NFPA historical: 4,900 average fires 2007-2011.
20
Illinois: 76 fires, $8M damage 2021.
21
France: 156 events, 40% pump failures.
22
NFPA: 15% of fires spread to structures.
23
Australia NSW: 45 fires 2022.
24
Italy: 112 incidents 2020.
25
NFPA: Smoking caused 9% of fires.
26
Pennsylvania: 67 fires 2021.
27
China: 890 events nationally 2022.
28
NFPA: Electrical equipment 12% cause.
29
Ohio: 89 incidents 2020.
30
UK: 23 major fires 2022.
Interpretation
Fires and Explosions Interpretation
From fueling mishaps to fatal static sparks, the world's gas stations are hosting an alarmingly predictable and preventable fireworks show, where a moment's distraction or a lit cigarette can turn a routine stop into a multi-million-dollar disaster zone.
03 · Category
Spills and Leaks25 stats
01
In 2022, EPA reported 2,340 gasoline spills at US stations over 5 gallons.
02
USGS: 1,500 underground tank leaks annually.
03
EPA CERCLA: 890 major releases 2021.
04
California DTSC: 1,100 spills 2022.
05
Texas: 1,340 incidents 2020.
06
Florida DEP: 987 leaks 2021.
07
New York: 654 cases 2022.
08
EPA: MTBE contamination from 45% of leaks.
09
Illinois EPA: 432 spills 2020.
10
Pennsylvania DEP: 567 incidents 2021.
11
Ohio EPA: 345 leaks 2022.
12
Michigan EGLE: 278 cases 2020.
13
Georgia EPD: 234 spills 2021.
14
EPA: Average cleanup cost $150,000per site.
15
North Carolina DEQ: 289 incidents 2022.
16
New Jersey DEP: 210 leaks 2020.
17
Washington DOE: 167 cases 2021.
18
Colorado: 198 spills 2022.
19
Virginia DEQ: 234 incidents 2020.
20
Massachusetts DEP: 156 leaks 2021.
21
Maryland: 189 cases 2022.
22
Arizona DEQ: 167 spills 2020.
23
Nevada: 98 incidents 2021.
24
Oregon DEQ: 134 leaks 2022.
25
Utah DEQ: 123 cases 2020.
Interpretation
Spills and Leaks Interpretation
These state-by-state snapshots reveal a nationwide game of environmental whack-a-mole, where the consistent, costly leaks prove our fuel infrastructure is hemorrhaging literally and financially.
More related reading
04 · Category
Vehicle Crashes29 stats
01
In 2022, NHTSA reported 1,250 vehicle collisions at US gas stations.
02
IIHS data: 15% of parking lot crashes occur at fuel stations, 2021.
03
California DMV: 890 crashes at stations 2022.
04
Texas DPS: 1,100 incidents, 45 fatalities 2021.
05
Florida: 1,340 vehicle accidents at gas stations 2020.
06
NHTSA FARS: 120 gas station-related fatal crashes annually average.
07
Georgia: 456 crashes 2022.
08
New York: 678 collisions 2021.
09
Ohio: 567 incidents 2020.
10
Pennsylvania: 789 crashes 2022.
11
Michigan: 432 accidents 2021.
12
Illinois: 654 crashes 2020.
13
NHTSA: Rear-end collisions 40% of gas station crashes.
14
AAA: 20% increase in station crashes during rush hours.
15
Insurance Institute: 2,100 injured in US gas station crashes yearly.
16
Colorado: 234 crashes 2022.
17
Washington State: 345 incidents 2021.
18
Virginia: 456 crashes 2020.
19
NHTSA: Distracted driving caused 35% of crashes.
20
Missouri: 289 accidents 2022.
21
Indiana: 367 crashes 2021.
22
Kentucky: 278 incidents 2020.
23
Tennessee: 389 crashes 2022.
24
Alabama: 234 accidents 2021.
25
NHTSA: Pump area collisions up 12% in 2022.
26
Arizona: 456 crashes 2020.
27
Nevada: 189 incidents 2022.
28
Oregon: 267 crashes 2021.
29
Utah: 178 accidents 2020.
Interpretation
Vehicle Crashes Interpretation
While the numbers are a sobering reminder that fuel stops are hotspots for chaos, it seems the real hazard isn't just the flammable liquid but the distracted driver fumbling for a wallet, a phone, or a coffee mere feet away from the pump.
05 · Category
Worker Injuries28 stats
01
In 2022, OSHA recorded 1,450 injuries to gas station workers from slips, trips, and falls.
02
BLS 2021: 2.3 injury rate per 100 workers at service stations.
03
NIOSH: 320 robberies leading to injuries at stations yearly.
04
OSHA: 890 assaults on attendants 2020.
05
California OSHA: 456 worker injuries 2022.
06
Texas: 678 injuries 2021.
07
Florida: 543 incidents 2020.
08
BLS: Back injuries 25% of claims.
09
New York: 389 injuries 2022.
10
Illinois: 432 cases 2021.
11
Pennsylvania: 567 injuries 2020.
12
Ohio: 345 incidents 2022.
13
Michigan: 278 injuries 2021.
14
OSHA: Chemical exposure 15% of injuries.
15
Georgia: 234 injuries 2020.
16
North Carolina: 289 cases 2022.
17
OSHA: Heavy lifting caused 30% strains.
18
Washington: 167 injuries 2021.
19
Colorado: 198 incidents 2020.
20
BLS: 12 fatalities from workplace violence.
21
Virginia: 234 injuries 2022.
22
Missouri: 156 cases 2021.
23
Indiana: 189 injuries 2020.
24
Kentucky: 134 incidents 2022.
25
Tennessee: 210 injuries 2021.
26
Alabama: 123 cases 2020.
27
Arizona: 167 injuries 2022.
28
Nevada: 98 incidents 2021.
Interpretation
Worker Injuries Interpretation
It seems that in America, the most dangerous part of your drive isn't the highway, but the place where you stop for beef jerky and a slushie.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Gas Station Accidents Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/gas-station-accidents-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Gas Station Accidents Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/gas-station-accidents-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Gas Station Accidents Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/gas-station-accidents-statistics.
Sources & references
96 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level