Trucking Accidents: Statistics and Prevention

Truck accidents can have serious consequences due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. While truck accidents are a reality, they are not an inevitability, and efforts are continuously made to improve safety and reduce the incidence of accidents in the commercial trucking industry.

Commercial truckers and the trucking industry as a whole are subject to various regulations and safety measures aimed at preventing accidents and minimizing their impact when they do occur. Here are some truck accident statistics and general tips for preventing large truck crashes.

General Highway Statistics on Trucking Accidents

Various factors can influence the frequency of commercial motor vehicle crashes and other accidents across the United States. Truck accident statistics may change over time.

How many truck accidents occur each year?

In 2022, there were 168,320 truck accidents — 4,766 of which were fatal for one or more persons, according to Truck Info.

Which states had the most commercial motor vehicle crashes involving large trucks?

The most crashes happened in Texas, followed by California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Illinois in 2022.

Truck Accidents with Injuries and Fatal Crashes

How many people are injured in truck accidents every year?

76,180 persons suffered from injury crashes from truck accidents in 2022.

What percentage of truck accidents result in an injury?

32% or 54,667 out of the 168,320 accidents resulted in an injury. About 71% of injuries were sustained by truck occupants in other passenger vehicles while 27% of fatalities were large truck occupants. An estimated 2% were pedestrians, bicyclists, and other individuals.

The number of truck accidents resulting in injuries is lower than the number of individuals injured during truck accidents because multiple individuals, and not just truck occupants, can be injured in single-vehicle crashes.‍ Passenger cars are the other most common vehicles involved in truck accidents.

Which states had the most injury-causing truck accidents?

Texas recorded the highest incidence of truck accidents with injuries with California, New York, Florida, and North Carolina rounding out the top five.

How many people are killed in truck accidents every year?

In 2022, 5,370 people were killed in truck accidents in 2022. More than 1/3 of truck drivers who die in a crash are not buckled up.

How many accidents involve hazardous material?

Less than 1% of truck accidents involved hazardous cargo.

Truck Accidents by Vehicle Type

Large Trucks

While commercial truck accidents may be less frequent than car accidents, they can be more severe due to the size and weight of trucks. Accidents with large trucks involved are more likely to result in serious injuries or fatal crashes compared to smaller vehicles.

How many large truck crashes take place each year?

There were more than half a million accidents and crashes involving large trucks in 2021, according to Forbes. More specifically, there were 523,796 accidents with large truck involvement across the U.S., an increase from 415,444 the previous year.

How deadly are crashes involving large trucks?

As devastating as they may be, the vast majority of these accidents do not result in injuries and fatal truck crashes. Property damage is more prevalent with 310,000 large truck crashes causing damage in 2020. However, it’s important to note that truck drivers and their employers may be held liable even for nonfatal crashes. 101,000 large truck crashes caused injuries that year while 4,444 were involved in fatal crashes.

Have large truck crashes increased over the years?

Forbes reports that large truck crashes have increased by 26% between 2020 and 2021. Lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused a reduction in truck crashes in 2020. The lifting of restrictions in 2021 contributed to a higher number of crashes since there were more large trucks on the road.

Semi-Trucks

How many semi-truck accidents take place each year?

116,353 semi-trucks were involved in accidents in 2022, according to Truck Info.

What are the chances of a long-haul truck driving accident?

It is estimated that 1 in 3 long-haul trucker drivers will be involved in a serious truck accident in their career.

Which states had the most semi-truck accidents?

Texas had the most semi-truck accidents in 2022, followed by the states of California, Florida, Georgia, and Illinois.

What percentage of semi-truck accidents result in an injury?

About 30% of incidents involved a semi-truck accident injury.

Which states had the most injury-causing semi-truck accidents?

Texas had 5,846 semi-truck accidents with injuries followed by California with 2,675 injuries related to semi-trucks.

What percentage of semi-truck accidents result in a fatality?

In 2022, about 3% of semi-truck collisions were fatal truck accidents.

Common Causes of Trucking Accidents

Truck accident statistics show that certain behaviors and risk factors may increase the likelihood of a collision. Most truck accidents are caused by driver-related issues such as fatigue, impairment, or distractions on the road and vehicle-related issues such as mechanical failure. External factors like weather and road conditions can also cause a truck driver to get into an accident.

Other contributing factors include:

Location: Truck accidents can happen anywhere but rural areas tend to pose a higher risk. 55% of fatal truck crashes occur in rural areas compared to 45% in urban areas.
Intersections: About 6% of large truck crashes take place at or due to an intersection.
Time of Day: A total of 79.6% of truck crashes occurred in the daytime compared with just 20.4% at night. With more truckers on the road during daylight hours, more crashes will inevitably occur at that time.
Speeding: An estimated 7.3% of fatal large truck crashes in 2020 involved speeding.
Intoxication: Drunk driving accounts for 6.7% of large truck involvement in accidents. Commercial truckers are subject to stricter blood alcohol content (BAC) limits than other drivers.
Impairment and Inattention: Large truck drivers involved in accidents typically suffer from driver fatigue, illness, cellphone use, eating behind the wheel, and distracted driving. Impairment and inattention second leading driver-related cause of fatal large truck crashes with each accounting for 5.2% of deadly accidents involving large trucks.

The High Cost of Truck Accidents and Lawsuits

The costs associated with truck accidents are complex and can vary widely based on the specific circumstances of each case. In general, settlements and verdicts under $1 million are more common than nuclear verdicts, which cost upwards of $10 million. It is advisable to consult with a legal professional for more information on lawsuits and verdicts.

What is the average verdict size for a truck accident lawsuit?

In most instances, commercial drivers facing litigation for settlements and verdicts under $1 million are usually on the line for $406,000 to $449,000 in plaintiff payments. Truck drivers dealing with nuclear verdicts and larger cases may be on the hook for a few million.

According to information from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) Litigation Database, most truck accident lawsuits involved plaintiff payments of $2 million to more than $5 million. Truck accident lawsuits can be significantly more expensive if children are involved.

What is the cost per mile of insurance premiums by fleet size?

Insurance premiums can go up for commercial trucking companies, particularly small fleets, as a result of nuclear insurance verdicts.

How Truck Drivers Can Help Prevent Accidents

Truck drivers play a crucial role in preventing accidents on the road. Here are some key practices and strategies that truck drivers can adopt to enhance safety and reduce the risk of accidents:

Adhere to Hours of Service Regulations: Follow Hours of Service (HOS) regulations to prevent driver fatigue. Adequate rest and regular breaks are essential for maintaining alertness and focus while driving.
Avoid Distracted and Impaired Driving: Refrain from using mobile phones or engaging in other distractions while driving. Distractions can significantly increase the risk of accidents.
Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead. Trucks require longer stopping distances, so leaving ample space helps prevent rear-end collisions.
Stay Aware of Blind Spots: Be aware of the truck's blind spots (also known as "no-zones") and adjust mirrors accordingly. Checking blind spots before changing lanes can prevent accidents with vehicles in adjacent lanes.
Adapt to Weather Conditions: Adjust driving speed and behavior based on weather conditions. Slow down in adverse weather, such as rain, snow, or fog, to maintain control of the vehicle.
Perform Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspections: Conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections of the vehicle. Address any mechanical issues promptly to ensure the vehicle is in proper working condition.
Use Turn Signals: Signal intentions to other drivers by using turn signals well in advance of making a lane change or turning. This helps other drivers anticipate your actions.
Observe Speed Limits: Adhere to posted speed limits. Speeding increases the risk of accidents and affects the driver's ability to react to unexpected situations.
Utilize Safety Technologies: Take advantage of safety technologies available in modern trucks, such as collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings, and automatic emergency braking.
Stay Informed on Traffic Conditions: Stay informed about current traffic conditions and road closures. Use navigation tools to plan routes and identify potential traffic issues.
Continuous Training and Education: Engage in continuous training and education to stay updated on the latest safety regulations, best practices, and technological advancements in the trucking industry.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Prioritize a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet. Physical well-being contributes to overall alertness and driver fitness.
Communicate Effectively: Use effective communication with other drivers on the road. This includes using headlights, turn signals, and, when necessary, the horn to convey intentions or alert others to potential hazards.
Report Safety Concerns: Report safety concerns, mechanical issues, or hazardous conditions to the appropriate authorities promptly.
Remain Calm and Patient: Practice patience with other motorists and avoid aggressive driving behaviors. Stay calm in challenging situations, and avoid engaging in aggressive maneuvers.

The Value of Insurance in the Event of a Truck Accident

Commercial trucking insurance plays a crucial role in managing the financial risks associated with trucking accidents. Accidents involving large trucks can result in significant financial losses, including property damage, medical expenses, legal fees, and potential settlements or judgments. Commercial trucking insurance provides financial protection, helping cover these costs and protecting the assets of the trucking company.

For example, liability coverage is a fundamental component of commercial trucking insurance. It helps cover the costs of bodily injury or property damage that the insured truck may cause to others in the event of an accident. This coverage is critical for addressing third-party claims and legal liabilities.

Medical payment coverage provides reimbursement for medical expenses incurred by insured large truck occupants in the event of an accident, regardless of fault. It helps cover medical bills for injuries sustained by the truck driver and passengers.

Get Adequate Protection For Your Trucking Business

A single crash can disrupt your operations. Make sure you’re covered in the event of an accident. CTI helps commercial truckers find insurance policies tailored to their needs. Contact our TRS-certified insurance agents for a truck insurance quote. We’d be happy to help you find competitive rates and provide ongoing support after your purchase. We coordinate with over 30 carriers to help you explore.