Original Research
Previous research had ignored deaths or focused on total truck accidents, skewing the data toward large states with many trucks. We ranked every U.S. state based on fatal truck accidents per capita, which is a new and original method for analyzing truck crash data.
Trucks Cause a Disproportionate Number of Road Deaths
Truck accidents killed 3,903 people in the United States in 2014, equating to over 1 death per 100,000 people. Trucks accounted for 6% of registered vehicles but 11% of national road deaths.
The toll is particularly harsh in small states with a lot of truck activity
Last year, trucks were involved in 23% of fatal crashes in North Dakota, which is more than 5 times the national average. Nine of the top ten most dangerous states have populations of less than 5 million, and the top two have populations of less than 1 million.
Looking Forward
We’re working to ensure that the increase in trucks doesn’t lead to an increase in accidents and deaths. There are currently about 10.5 million large trucks on our roads, with estimates that freight tonnage will grow by about 29 percent in the next decade.
Additional Questions about a Truck Accident?
The Truck Accident Attorney Roundtable offers advice on how to best approach a suit against a trucker involved in an accident, but determining whether or not a claim can be made should be left to experts.
Which state has the most truck accidents?
Which state has the most truck accidents? Texas has the highest number of fatal truck accidents in the United States each year, with 556 fatal truck accidents reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2017.
What state has the most 18 wheeler accidents?
Texas Leads the Nation in Fatal Truck and 18-Wheeler Accidents Between 2015 and 2017, Texas had the most fatal truck and 18-wheeler accidents (1,386), followed by California (846), Florida (693), Georgia (514), and Pennsylvania (405)
Where do most truck accidents occur?
You’d think that more accidents involving large semi tractor-trailer trucks and other large commercial vehicles would happen on city interstates where traffic congestion is at its worst, but the majority of trucking accidents happen in rural areas.
Do semi trucks cause more accidents?
Semi truck accidents are significantly more dangerous for those in passenger vehicles than for those in the truck, accounting for roughly 11% of all traffic accident deaths in the United States.
What is a major cause of fatal head on crashes?
A large percentage of fatal head-on collisions involve a driver who is impaired by alcohol, drugs (both prescription and illegal), or excessive fatigue. Some of the leading causes of head-on collisions include: Distracted driving, such as texting; a driver’s inability to judge a safe gap in oncoming traffic when passing; and a driver’s inability to judge a safe gap in oncoming traffic when merging.
Which month of last year had the highest number of traffic fatalities?
The month with the fewest motor vehicle deaths in 2019 was February; the month with the most deaths was August; and the death rate per 100 million vehicle miles was lowest in April and highest in September.
What state has the most semi trucks?
In 2015, the states with the most trucks were:
- California: 14,037,539 (Private and commercial: 13,764,7340)
- Texas: 12,959,672 (Private and commercial: 12,787,563)
- Florida: 7,737,069 (Private and commercial: 7,608,030)
- Pennsylvania: 5,469,688 (Private and commercial: 5,400,602)
- Pennsylvania: 5,469,688 (
What percentage of truck accidents are caused by cars?
Cars are responsible for 80% of all truck accidents, according to the American Trucking Association, and 81% of truck accidents, according to the University of Michigan Transportation Institute.
What percentage of accidents involve trucks?
This means that truck accidents account for about 6.5 percent of all accidents, but they account for twice as many fatal crashes.
Is there a truck driver shortage 2020?
Yes, the trucking labor market is “tight,” meaning companies are competing for open positions, but it works in the same way as any other labor market, according to Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.
How many people have died from truck drivers?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 843 trucker deaths in 2019, a 1.4 percent increase over the previous year’s tally of 831. Trucker deaths have steadily increased since falling from a high of 880 in 2014 to 745 in 2015, according to federal data.
What are the most common causes of truck accidents?
Truck Accidents: 10 Common Causes
- Extreme weather.
- Road construction.
- Overloading cargo.
- Brake/vehicle failure.
- Driving under the influence.
- Poor lighting.
How many feet would it take an 80000 lb semi truck to stop if it were traveling 65 mph Group of answer choices?
Trucks take longer to stop. For example, a fully loaded tractor-trailer weighing 80,000 pounds traveling at 65 miles per hour in ideal conditions will take 525 feet to stop (nearly two football fields).
How many truckers died in 2019?
According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 900 truckers were killed in all types of motor vehicle accidents in 2019. However, these fatalities account for only 1% of all injuries.
How many truckers are killed each year?
Each year, nearly 700 truck drivers and their passengers are killed.