How Many Truck Drivers Die A Year

Truck Driver Deaths Per Year

There’s no single figure, but here’s what the two main data sources actually say.

In terms of how many truck drivers died on the job, the Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 798 fatal occupational injuries among heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in 2024. That figure covers any death classified under that job title, not just crashes.

In terms of how many people died in crashes involving large trucks. NHTSA and National Safety Council data put the 2024 total at 5,340 deaths in large-truck crashes. Most of those weren’t truck drivers: about 70% were people in the other vehicle, another 13% were pedestrians or cyclists, and only around 17%, roughly 900 people, were occupants of the truck itself.

Depending on the specifics of the question, make sure you compare figures, check the year, whether the number refers to drivers or all truck occupants, and whether it measures traffic fatalities or occupational deaths. Those distinctions substantially change the reported total.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash involving a commercial truck, a truck accident lawyer can help you understand what happened and what your case might be worth.