Vehicle Accidents - July 24, 2024

Truck Accident Statistics (2024 Edition)

Truck accidents are a significant concern on U.S. roads, posing a severe risk to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike. In the year 2023 alone, large truck crashes resulted in 5,078 fatalities and 86,842 injuries in the United States. Perhaps it comes to no surprise that the majority of these deaths were occupants of other, smaller vehicles. These shocking numbers mean thousands upon thousands of drivers left their home or work, only to collide with a massive truck and have their life completely changed or even ended.

With 170,716 large truck accidents reported in the United States in the year 2023, the prevalence of such incidents highlights the importance of understanding the factors contributing to these crashes and the varying risks across different states. Yet, not all roadways across all states carry the same inherent risks. This article delves into your chances of being involved in a truck accident depending on where you live, offering a state-by-state analysis of the data to help you stay informed and safe on the road.

Key Insights into Large Truck Accidents in 2023

• Large trucks carry 72.5% of the nation’s cargo.
• Trucks usually weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger cars.
• A loaded tractor-trailer takes 20% to 40% more distance to stop than a passenger car. 
• About 32% of truck accidents are due to speeding.
• Other contributing factors include driver fatigue, inadequate training, and mechanical failures. 

At a quick glance, the primary reason for the severity of truck accidents can be attributed to the weight discrepancy between trucks and passenger cars, whether they’re coupes, sedans, or even SUVs. Trucks usually weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger cars. Not just heavier, they’re also taller with greater ground clearance. This results in the smaller vehicles under-riding trucks in some accidents. This means you’re not necessarily safe from injuries and catastrophe anywhere near a large truck, even behind it or on the side.

Being big and heavy, trucks cannot stop as quickly as their smaller counterparts. The more full a truck is, the more difficult it is for the driver to manage. A loaded tractor-trailer takes 20% to 40% more distance to stop than a passenger car. This discrepancy only grows on wet and slippery roads, or if the large truck has poorly maintained brakes.

It’s easy to say truck crashes can be dangerous and deadly due to sheer size alone, but there’s far more to consider. Let’s take a deeper look. Large truck accidents are a complex and multifaceted issue, with several key insights shedding light on their causes and consequences. A not-insignificant portion of these accidents, approximately 32% according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, are associated with speeding. This number highlights the critical role of driver behavior in crash occurrence. In fact, “speeding of any kind” was the most frequent driver-related factor for drivers of any vehicle type, large trucks notwithstanding. For large truck drivers specifically, “distraction/inattention (cell phone, lost in thought, eating, etc.)” was the second most common driver-related factor. 

Other factors such as driver fatigue, inadequate training, and mechanical failures also contribute significantly to these incidents. 

While many drivers think such a cataclysmic crash cannot happen to them, every year thousands of drivers are wrong. As such, understanding these key insights is vital for all drivers. This is because the CRC group tells us that the large truck crashes are on the rise. Their data reports that with trucks responsible for carrying 72.5% of the nation’s cargo, there are more trucks on the road than ever before. With more trucks on the highways, the frequency of accidents has also risen, including an increase in fatalities.

Top 5 States with the Most Truck Accidents

To grasp the full scope of truck accident risks, it’s essential to examine the states where these incidents are most prevalent. Certain states consistently report higher rates of truck accidents, influenced by factors such as extensive highway networks, high commercial traffic volumes, and regional economic activities. 

In the following section, we will delve into a detailed analysis of the top five states with the highest truck accident rates, exploring the specific conditions and trends that contribute to their elevated numbers.  

To begin, let’s look at the industry averages. In the United States of America, the average number of vehicles involved in a large truck crash per state was 3,590. The average number of large truck crashes in general per state was just over 3,347. The discrepancy in this number accounts for the fact that accidents can have one, two, or multiple vehicles involved in a single crash. The average number of fatalities due to large truck crashes per state was just over 99.5. If broken down by population, the average is 53 accidents per 100,000 residents. Some states see much higher numbers than these, unfortunately. 

Yet, even these numbers don’t paint the entire picture because these are some of the most populated states in our nation. Wyoming had over 181 large truck crashes per 100,000 residents, leading the nation in comparing crashes to population size. When looking at the data in the same way, Wyoming also leads the nation in fatal crashes per 100,000 residents with six deaths. As well, Wyoming also leads the nation with 60 injuries in a large truck crash per 100,000 residents. 

Worst By Number of Truck Crashes Per 100,000 Residents

Worst By Number of Fatal Truck Crashes Per 100,000 Residents

Worst By Number of Truck Crashes That Resulted in Injuries Per 100,000 Residents

When looking at crashes per 100,000 residents, California only had 33 — leading one to surmise it is actually safer than the initial number of crashes would lead you to believe.

Despite being one of the most populated states in the country, New York only had 23.8 large truck crashes per 100,000 residents. Why? Over 8 million people live in New York City alone and only 45% of these residents even own a car. In Manhattan, the number is 22%! Less drivers mean less crashes on the roads of New York.

High-Risk Cities in Key States

While state-level data provides a broad overview of truck accident trends, examining specific cities within these states can offer more granular insights. Urban areas often present unique challenges, such as higher traffic density and more complex road networks, which can increase the likelihood of accidents. 

In the next section, we will focus on high-risk cities within key states, identifying the urban hotspots where truck accidents are most frequent and discussing the underlying factors that contribute to these elevated risks.   

Texas: Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio

As mentioned above, Texas sees the highest number of fatal and non-fatal large truck crashes per year. Many of these occur within just a few cities, including Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.

These cities experience a high number of large truck crashes due to several factors. These cities are major transportation hubs with extensive highway networks that facilitate significant commercial traffic. Additionally, the high population density and rapid urban growth in these areas contribute to increased congestion and complex traffic patterns, which elevate the risk of accidents. The combination of these elements makes these cities particularly susceptible to frequent and severe truck crashes.

California: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Fresno, and San Diego (2021)

Two cities in California are among the top 10 populated cities: Los Angeles and San Diego. It’s easy to understand why these, and several other crowded California cities, would see more truck crashes compared to the average area. 

The intricate network of highways and urban roads in these cities, coupled with frequent construction and heavy commuter traffic, creates challenging driving conditions that increase the likelihood of accidents. Additionally, the constant flow of goods to support a large metropolitan economy means more trucks are on the road, further elevating the risk of collisions.

Georgia: Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, Savannah, and Savannah

Densely-populated areas of Georgia see more than their fair share of truck crashes due to several contributing factors.

Atlanta’s role as a major transportation and logistics hub results in a high volume of commercial truck traffic navigating its busy highways and urban roads. Additionally, the heavy congestion and complex traffic patterns typical of a large metropolitan area create challenging driving conditions, increasing the likelihood of accidents involving large trucks.

States with the Safest Roads

It’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, some states see better-than-average truck accident numbers. States with the lowest rates of truck accidents include:

Alaska: 45 fatal and non-fatal truck crashes, six deaths, and 12 injuries.

Delaware: Only two fatal truck crashes and 603 non-fatal truck crashes. 

District of Columbia: Only two fatal truck crashes and only 228 non-fatal truck crashes.

Hawaii: Only five fatalities as a result of truck crashes and only 132 injuries as a result of truck crashes.

Rhode Island: Just four fatal truck crashes and 179 non-fatal truck crashes, for a total of just 183 large truck crashes.

Vermont: Six fatalities and 58 injuries resulting from a large truck crash. 

Several factors contribute to the safety in these regions:

Lower Traffic Volumes: States like Alaska and Hawaii have lower overall traffic volumes, reducing the likelihood of collisions.

Stringent Regulations: These states often have rigorous safety regulations and enforcement practices for commercial vehicles, ensuring better compliance with safety standards.

Less Commercial Traffic: The District of Columbia and Delaware, despite their urban density, have less heavy commercial traffic compared to major logistics hubs, reducing exposure to truck-related incidents.

Advanced Infrastructure: Well-maintained and advanced road infrastructure in these areas can also contribute to fewer accidents by providing safer driving conditions for all vehicles. Even with a low population of 647,464, Vermont maintains a lower per-100,000-resident accident rate (26.5) than most other states (the average is 53 accidents per 100,000 residents.) 

These factors collectively enhance road safety and contribute to the lower rates of truck accidents in these states.

Safety Tips to Avoid a Large Truck Crash

Staying safe on the roads, especially around large trucks, requires vigilance and adherence to several key practices:

Avoid Blind Spots: Trucks have large blind spots known as “No Zones.” If you can’t see the truck driver in their side mirror, they can’t see you. Avoid lingering in these areas and pass trucks quickly, without speeding, to avoid being hit if the truck changes lanes.

Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Remember, trucks take much longer to stop compared to a regular vehicle. Keep a significant distance between your vehicle and a truck in front of you to allow for ample reaction time in case the truck stops suddenly.

Pass Safely: If you must overtake a truck, do so quickly and on the left side for better visibility. Ensure you can see the truck in your rearview mirror before merging back into the lane in front of them. If you cut them off, they won’t be able to slam on their breaks.

Be Cautious When Trucks Turn: Trucks make wide turns and may need to swing left before turning right. Give them plenty of room and never try to squeeze between a turning truck and the curb.

Use Signals and Lights: Always use your turn signals well in advance of changing lanes or turning. Ensure your vehicle’s lights are functioning properly to maintain visibility.

Stay Alert and Focused: Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents. Keep your attention on the road and while driving, avoid using mobile devices, eating, arguing, and anything else that takes your focus from the task at hand.

No one can be completely sure they’ll never be in a large truck crash. Drivers can’t control the weather, the road conditions, the truck driver, and other mitigating factors that lead to deadly and dangerous crashes. Yet, by following these tips, drivers in any state can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and facilitate a safer driving experience for everyone on the road.

Methodology and Sources Used

In developing our research, we employed a comprehensive methodology that integrates diverse and credible sources to ensure a robust and data-driven approach. Our primary sources included industry reports from Texas Department of Transportation, Georgia Department of Transportation, and OTS Crash Rankings Results, which provided valuable insights into trends and driver behavior. Additionally, we utilized data from UC Berkeley’s Transportation Injury Mapping System. Furthermore, we referenced the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as well as Wikipedia for population data. By synthesizing information from these varied and authoritative sources, we were able to craft a well-informed article aimed at maximizing reach and educational impact.