Washington Trucking Accident Statistics
Washington State ranks 12th nationally in large truck crash fatalities, recording approximately 118 deaths annually. The Seattle-Tacoma metro area is home to the Port of Tacoma — the 5th busiest container port in the U.S. — generating enormous commercial truck traffic on I-5, SR-509, and SR-167. The I-90 corridor through the Cascade Mountains presents extreme challenges for commercial vehicles in winter conditions.
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Washington ranks 12th nationally — 118 people die in large truck crashes every year, driven by port traffic, mountain corridors, and Pacific Coast freight volumes.
The Port of Tacoma is the 5th busiest container port in the United States, generating enormous commercial truck traffic on SR-167 and I-5 throughout the South Puget Sound region.
22% of Washington commercial vehicle crashes are weather-related, driven by mountain passes on I-90 and US-2 with severe winter conditions.
5-Year Trend (2019–2023)
Source: FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts
| Year | Fatal Crashes | Fatalities | Injury Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 102 | 111 | 5,000 |
| 2020 | 100 | 109 | 4,700 |
| 2021 | 113 | 123 | 5,200 |
| 2022 | 110 | 120 | 5,300 |
| 2023 | 108 | 118 | 5,400 |
Data: FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts, NHTSA FARS
Most Dangerous Trucking Corridors in Washington
Annual commercial vehicle crash estimates — source: state DOT and FMCSA data
Top Contributing Factors in Washington
Washington's mountain passes and severe winter weather contribute to above-average weather-related commercial vehicle crashes on I-90 and US-2.
Long-haul Pacific Coast routes and port operations with irregular hours contribute to above-average fatigue rates.
Rural sections of I-5 and US-2 see elevated speeding-related commercial vehicle crashes.
Stop-and-go traffic near the Port of Tacoma creates elevated rear-end crash risk for commercial vehicles.
Source: FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts, state DOT reports. Percentages represent share of fatal crashes where factor was cited.
Key Facts for Washington
- Washington ranks #12 nationally in large truck crash fatalities
- The Port of Tacoma is the 5th busiest U.S. container port — generating massive truck traffic
- I-90 through the Cascades is one of the most challenging freight corridors in the Pacific Northwest
- Washington uses pure comparative fault — you can recover even if partially at fault
- Washington's 3-year statute of limitations is longer than most states
- Canadian carriers operating under FMCSA authority add complexity to Washington trucking cases
Washington Legal Quick Reference
Evidence in trucking cases — including black box data, ELD records, and driver logs — can be destroyed within days. Contact a Washington trucking accident attorney immediately after an accident.
Find a Washington Trucking Accident Attorney
Browse our directory of experienced trucking accident attorneys across Washington's major cities. All attorneys listed focus specifically on commercial trucking accident cases.
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Washington State records significant large truck crash fatalities annually, with the Seattle-Tacoma metro area and the I-5 corridor accounting for a significant share. Washington's position on the Pacific Coast's primary freight corridor and its major ports (Seattle and Tacoma) contribute to elevated commercial vehicle crash rates.