Trucking Accident Statistics

FATAL TRUCK INVOLVEMENTS BY YEAR AND STATE, 2001-2005

State

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Total

Alabama128112130132108610
Alaska104513436
Arizona7484958882423
Arkansas88759389107452
California3343133113593561673
Colorado7547586062302
Connecticut2617232517108
Delaware11161518868
District of Columbia100539
Florida3033203143223471606
Georgia2161692012142111011
Hawaii8444424
Idaho3028372827150
Illinois172142162139170785
Indiana120110142139125636
Iowa7061565861306
Kansas7370627667348
Kentucky91104108110108521
Louisiana1119510794107514
Maine232113181792
Maryland7058556756306
Massachusetts2722343922144
Michigan115120104110100549
Minnesota5975616558318
Mississippi8471618177374
Missouri118137140132142669
Montana2520211422102
Nebraska5547463939226
Nevada4129322545172
New Hampshire131412131163
New Jersey7163698293378
New Mexico4545375250229
New York128123139121129640
North Carolina176152148174182832
North Dakota111614141065
Ohio156182134160158790
Oklahoma77979092103459
Oregon5244494659250
Pennsylvania159157188165170839
Rhode Island5565122
South Carolina99838997110478
South Dakota201614171380
Tennessee117124103128128600
Texas4223914193964272055
Utah3134172626134
Vermont6101012846
Virginia958210790102476
Washington5552385054249
West Virginia4455515648254
Wisconsin9185869076428
Wyoming2023252923120
Total4,4514,2244,3354,4784,53322,021

Source: Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

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NATIONAL CRASH FACTS, 2006

This section provides statistics that describe conditions at the scene of fatal traffic accidents:

  • 4,732 large trucks and 299 buses involved in fatal crashes
  • 4,995 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks and 331 fatalities in crashes involving buses
  • 135,741 large trucks and 10,938 buses involved in nonfatal crashes
  • 57,213 large trucks and 6,142 buses involved in injury crashes
  • 85,984 injuries in crashes involving large trucks and 14,467 injuries in crashes involving buses
  • 78,528 large trucks and 4,796 buses involved in tow-away crashes
  • 2,285 large trucks and 10 buses involved in hazmat-placard crashes
Source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Motor Carrier Management Information System

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TRUCK-DRIVER-FAULT STATISTICS, FATAL ACCIDENTS

According to the federal government's Large Truck Crash Causation Study, when a truck drivers was at fault for causing a fatal crash the following factors played roles:

  • Falling asleep at the wheel or suffering a heart attack caused 12 percent of the crashes.
  • Inattention, distraction, and failure to keep a careful lookout were to blame for 29 percent of the crashes.
  • Poor decision-making, such as driving too fast for the conditions, following too closely, performing an illegal driving maneuver, or aggressive driving accounted for 38 percent of the accidents.
  • Poor driving skills and overcompensation played a part in 6 percent of the deadly collisions.
  • Mechanical problems with the truck and shifting loads were to blame in 10 percent of the accidents.
  • Highway design and conditions such as slick roads accounted for 1 percent of the fatal crashes.
Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Large Truck Crash Causation Study

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TRUCK-DRIVER-FAULT STATISTICS, ALL ACCIDENTS

This section provides statistics on the drivers of trucks involved in fatal traffic accidents in 2000.

Associated Factor Percentage
Driver
Use of prescription drugs26
Traveling too fast for conditions23
Unfamiliarity with roadway22
Use of over-the-counter drugs18
Inadequate surveillance14
Fatigue13
Illegal maneuver9
Inattention9
Exterior distraction8
Inadequate evasive action7
Aggressive driving behavior7
Unfamiliarity with vehicle7
Following too closely5
False assumption of others' actions5
Pressure to accept additional loads4
Conversation4
Pressure to operate even if fatigued3
Misjudgment of gap distance3
In a hurry before crash3
Illness3
Interior distraction2
Use of illegal drugs2
Discomfort with some aspect of vehicle or load3
Self-induced legal work pressure2
Being required to accept short-notice trips2
Work-schedule pressure2
Emotional upset before crash2
Alcohol use1
Other decision factors (includes proceeding with obstructed view, stopping when not required to, and failing to yield)9
Other physical factors (includes hearing problems, prosthesis, paraplegia, strenuous activities, and sleep apnea)8
Other motor-carrier work pressure6
Other recognition factors (includes impending problem masked by traffic-flow pattern or driver focused on extraneous vehicle)3
Other emotional factors (includes clinical depression)1
Vehicle
Brake deficiency26
Tire deficiency5
Jackknife event5
Overweight5
Cargo shift4
Light failure3
Brake failure3
Cargo securement3
Vehicle view obstruction (includes obstruction related to load or vehicle design)1
Engine, fuel-system, or exhaust deficiency1
Transmission failure1
Tire failure1
Missing or obscured reflective tape1
All other defects (includes suspension-frame deficiency and towing-unit problems)4
Environment
Traffic-flow interruption (includes work zones, roadway immersion, prior crashes, and traffic congestion)28
Roadway-related factors20
Required stop before crash (includes those required for traffic-control devices and to yield right of way as required)20
Weather-related factors14
Obstruction of view by road/other vehicle4
Other traffic/vehicle factors (includes any factors not listed causing the driver to feel uncomfortable with surrounding traffic or the vehicle)5
Obscured view of other vehicle (caused by glare, headlights, etc.)2

Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Large Truck Crash Causation Study

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TRUCKING-ACCIDENT LOCATION

Rural 36%
Principal arterial--interstate11%
Principal arterial--other8%
Minor arterial6%
Major collector3%
Minor collector3%
Local4%
Unknown1%
Urban63%
Principal arterial--interstate36%
Principal arterial--freeways and expressways7%
Principal arterial--other8%
Minor arterial5%
Collector2%
Local6%

Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Large Truck Crash Causation Study

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Contact a Trucking-Accident Attorney

The lawyers of The Lowe Law Firm are experienced in helping the victims of truck accidents. We will seek compensation for past and future medical expenses, past and future wages, pain and suffering, disability and other damages. We also represent family members in wrongful death cases.

To learn more about trucking accidents and the law, visit our Trucking-Accident Attorney Blog.

Free Initial Consultation

We offer a free initial consultation for victims of trucking accidents. If you cannot make it to our office, we will come to you at the hospital or your home.

Contact the Missouri/Illinois trucking-accident lawyers at The Lowe Law Firm today by calling 877-678-3400.