U.S. Trucking Accident Statistics
Key data points on commercial trucking accidents in the United States. All statistics sourced from FMCSA, NHTSA, and IIHS. Click any card to share on social media.
National Overview
Annual figures for large truck crashes in the United States (2023 data)
Large truck crashes kill more than 5,900 people every year in the United States — a 19% increase from 2019.
Over 168,000 people are injured in large truck crashes annually — one every 3 minutes.
The total annual cost of large truck crashes — including medical, legal, and lost productivity — is $87 billion.
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5-Year National Trend (2019–2023)
Fatal and injury crash data for large trucks in the United States
| Year | Fatal Crashes | Fatalities | Injury Crashes | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4,479 | 5,005 | 114,000 | 159,000 |
| 2020 | 4,444 | 4,965 | 101,000 | 146,000 |
| 2021 | 5,149 | 5,788 | 117,000 | 163,000 |
| 2022 | 4,998 | 5,837 | 120,000 | 168,000 |
| 2023* | 5,100 | 5,936 | 122,000 | 171,000 |
| *2023 figures are preliminary estimates. Source: FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts | ||||
Most Dangerous States
Average annual large truck crash fatalities by state
Texas leads the nation in truck crash fatalities — accounting for ~13% of all U.S. truck accident deaths annually. Key corridors: I-10, I-35, I-20.
California's dense port traffic and mountain passes make it the 2nd most dangerous state. Key corridors: I-5, I-80, I-15.
Florida's high tourism traffic and aging infrastructure contribute to 312 annual truck fatalities. Key corridors: I-75, I-95, I-10.
Atlanta's freight hub status drives Georgia's high crash rate. The I-285/I-75 interchange is among the most dangerous in the Southeast.
NC's growing logistics sector and I-85/I-40 corridors account for 174 annual fatalities.
PA's mountain interstates (I-76, I-78, I-81) are particularly dangerous in winter conditions.
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Top 10 Most Dangerous States
Ranked by average annual large truck crash fatalities
Leading Causes of Truck Crashes
Percentage of crashes attributable to each factor category (FMCSA data)
Fatigue, distraction, speeding, and impairment account for 71% of large truck crashes.
Brake failures, tire blowouts, and cargo securement failures cause 10% of large truck crashes.
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Driver Fatigue & HOS Violations
Hours-of-service violations remain the most common — and most dangerous — FMCSA violation
FMCSA roadside inspections resulted in over 400,000 hours-of-service violations in 2022 alone — 12% of inspected drivers were placed out-of-service.
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Insurance & Legal Facts
Key figures for trucking accident victims and their legal cases
Federal law requires commercial trucking companies to carry a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance — far more than standard auto policies.
Carriers transporting hazardous materials are required to carry up to $5 million in liability coverage.
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Were You Injured in a Trucking Accident?
Find an experienced trucking accident attorney in your city. Most offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis.
Find an AttorneyData Sources: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts reports (2019–2023); National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS); Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Statistics represent the most recently available data and may be updated as new reports are published. For the full analysis, see our five-year trucking accident statistics report.