How Many Truck Accidents Are There in a Year?

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are approximately 500,000 truck accidents in the United States each year.  This substantial number of accidents underscores the critical importance of understanding the factors contributing to truck crashes and the measures needed to enhance road safety for all users.

Trucks are a common sight on US roadways. Commercial vehicles alone make up a significant portion. The trucking industry has a duty of care in transporting billions of tons of freight each year, a major part of the US economy. Over 3.5 million American truck driversare employed in the United States, and trucks make up 5% of all registered vehicles in the US. If that does not sound high to you, consider how heavy trucks are. A big rig with a tractor-trailer may weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average car weighs less than 10,000. This is why semi trucks are one of the most dangerous types of motor vehicles. Semi-trucks crash at a concerning rate; when they do, they are serious motor vehicle accidents.

The truck accident lawyers at Munley Law understand the seriousness of truck accidents. Truck collisions bring a risk of catastrophic injury and make roads seem unsafe to drive on. If you or someone you know have suffered severe injury, emotional distress, property damage, and other financial burdens, from the actions of a negligent truck driver, contact our experienced truck accident attorneys. They are well-equipped to handle any insurance claim, deal with all negligent parties accordingly, and help recover your financial losses from any liable parties.

National Truck Accident Statistics

To truly understand the scope of accidents in the trucking industry, there are some vital statistics to note.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• In 2021 there were 5,788 people killed in traffic crashes involving large trucks. This was a 17-percent increase from 4,945 in 2020.
• Seventy-two percent of people killed in large-truck traffic crashes in 2021 were occupants of other vehicles.
• Seventy-eight percent of the fatal traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2021 occurred on weekdays (6 a.m. Monday to 5:59 p.m. Friday).
• Three percent of drivers of large trucks involved in fatal traffic crashes in 2021 had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher, much lower than drivers of other vehicle types (28% for motorcycles, 24% for passenger cars, and 20% for light trucks).
• Drivers of large trucks involved in fatal traffic crashes in 2021 had a higher percentage (20.8%) of previously recorded crashes compared to drivers of other vehicle types (motorcycles, 19.9%; passenger cars, 18.2%; and light trucks, 17.2%).
• In 2021 drivers of large trucks in fatal traffic crashes were less likely (6.5%) to have previous license suspensions or revocations than other vehicle types (motorcycles, 16.8%; passenger cars, 14.2%; and light trucks, 11.2%).

Where and When Large Truck Crashes Occurred

Any place along the route of semi trucks is a potential location for fatal truck crashes. However, there are different times and places in which truck crashes are more common. Therefore, those that involve greater rates of accidents are times and places in which all drivers should exercise caution.

Time of day plays a factor in when truck crashes occur. There is a slight bell curve throughout the day, as fatal truck accidents peak around noon. The curve steadily decreases the earlier or later the time is compared to midday. Over 60% of fatal accidents occur during the daytime.

There tend to be fewer vehicles on the road on weekends. As a result, fatal truck accidents occur at higher rates on weekdays.

Fatal Truck Accidents Are Most Likely to Occur in Rural Areas

According to the National Safety Council, 53.98% of all fatal truck accidents occurred in rural areas in 2022 as opposed to only 46.02% in urban areas. This is notable considering how much higher populations are in urban areas and how many more vehicles are on the road in urban areas. The wide-open roads in rural areas can bring about a number of hazards for drivers. These roads are often designed in more complicated ways than in urban areas and are not as well-lit. This can exacerbate some causes of accidents, such as driver fatigue. The low density and openness of the roads can also cause some drivers to speed.

How Common Are Truck Accidents?

Prevalence of Truck Accidents in the United States

Truck accidents are a significant concern on American roadways, given the sheer volume of freight transport in the US.  In 2021, there were approximately 160,000 crashes involving large trucks, according to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These numbers underscore the critical need for ongoing safety measures and regulations to mitigate risks associated with heavy vehicle operations.

Fatal Truck Accident Statistics

The statistics underscore the alarming nature of truck accidents. In the United States, large trucks accounted for approximately 5,600 fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2021, reflecting a growing concern over road safety. According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of fatalities from large truck accidents has risen steadily, raising awareness about the urgent need for improved safety measures.

Fatalities and Injuries Are More Prevalent Among Passenger Vehicle Occupants

Motor vehicle crashes are dangerous not just for truckers. Truck drivers are actually not the group in the greatest danger in a semi-truck accident. Single-vehicle crashes are their own issue. However, in two-vehicle accidents involving a passenger vehicle and a truck, passenger cars account for 97% of vehicle occupant deaths. Most casualties from fatal accidents are not even truckers, as the road users who are occupants of cars account for 68% of all fatalities involving trucks.

These fatality rates are so much higher than truck occupant deaths because of how much larger trucks are, and how they dominate interstate highways and even minor roads. Head-on collisions are almost guaranteed to end in a disaster. Passenger vehicle drivers need to be cautious when in heavy traffic, especially when they are sharing the road with trucks when the risk of a traffic accident is higher.

States with the Most Trucking Accidents

Some regions in the United States experience more fatal truck crashes than others. States with larger populations and bustling economies are more likely to experience more accidents. Truck fatalities are more common in these states, as more vehicle miles will tend to be traveled in them. Here are the states that have been especially prone to trucking accidents as of 2022, with their numbers of fatal crashes.

• Texas: 18,607 large truck accidents and 784 fatalities
• California: 13,292 large truck accidents and 489 fatalities
• Florida: 8,915 large truck accidents and 279 fatalities
• Illinois: 7,454 accidents and 215 fatalities
• Pennsylvania: 7,388 accidents and 177 fatalities

States with the Fewest Large Truck Accidents

Less densely populated states are less likely to experience many truck accidents. These are the states with the fewest in the same period.

• Alaska: 38 accidents and five fatalities
• Hawaii: 109 accidents and three fatalities
• Rhode Island: 159 accidents and four fatalities
• Vermont: 167 accidents and nine fatalities
• South Dakota: 360 accidents and 20 fatalities

Causes of Truck Accidents

Not all accidents are the same. There are a variety of common causes of truck crashes. Some may be driver-related, while others may be environmental. Most driver-related factors are caused by irresponsible driving habits or other reckless behaviors.

Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers often work long hours and may become tired during their shifts. If they become too exhausted, they can lose control or even fall asleep at the wheel. Inadequate rest and sleep have a similar effect on drivers as alcohol does.

According to research by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, driver fatigue is an associated factor in 13% of all large truck crashes.

Distracted Driving

Anything that takes a driver’s attention off of the road can be a distraction. Common ways truck drivers are distracted are by texting or calling, eating or drinking, using in-cab materials, or even looking too long at external distractions like billboards. Commercial trucks’ massive size and speed mean that even a momentary lapse in a driver’s judgment may cause a severe accident. Some distractions can be remedied by laws, such as drivers being unable to use their cell phones, while others are not.

Impairment

A truck accident may be caused by a few different conditions that fall under the scope of impairment. Any kind of impairment increases the risk of an accident by lowering a driver’s ability to make sound judgments and their reaction time.

Impairment most commonly refers to a driver being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. All drivers are held to restrictions on their blood alcohol content (BAC) when driving. The limits and guidelines for commercial drivers are stricter than those of the average driver to limit accidents. Truckers are also subjected to drug and alcohol testing by the US Department of Transportation after accidents and may be randomly tested throughout the work year. These measures don’t completely eliminate it though. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3% of all large truckers involved in fatal crashes in 2021 had a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. The percentages were much higher for motorcycles, cars, and light truck drivers.

Some physical conditions may also cause a driver to be impaired. Some drivers may suffer an unexpected heart attack or seizure while at the wheel. These are unexpected, although some people may be restricted from driving commercial vehicles if they are easily susceptible to vision, hearing loss, vertigo, or other disorienting conditions.

Lack of Training and Experience

A driver being inexperienced is no excuse for an accident. An untrained driver can not engage in responsible driving. It is the responsibility of trucking companies to make sure that their drivers are adequately trained and capable of driving, and aware of any safety protocol or driving techniques. They must be able to handle their work even when environmental conditions are poor. This is how trucking companies may best avoid driver error. This is critical, as 87% of truck crashes were caused by driver error in just one year.

Speeding

Driving far beyond the speed limit or the natural flow of traffic may result in an accident. Most semi-trucks do not have a built-in speed limit and can go much faster than a car if unchecked. This is especially dangerous whenever road conditions are less than ideal. Speeding also increases the severity of truck crashes, as crashes at higher speeds have a greater impact and risk of a catastrophic accident.

Call Munley Law for Your Truck Crash Accident

If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, contact a truck accident lawyer at Munley Law for a free consultation.

When you partner with a personal injury lawyer at Munley Law, you will have 65 years of experience fighting for victims’ rights and compensation.  Our board-certified truck crash lawyers have successfully handled hundreds of truck accident lawsuits. Contact us today to discuss your case.