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How many truck accidents per year happen?
Quick Answer:
According to the FMCSA, the U.S. has recorded between 140,000 and 166,000 truck accidents annually in recent years, with trucks involved in just 6% of fatal crashes.
Large truck accidents can injure road users, damage property, and contaminate the environment. In many cases, victims also suffer devastating burns. Additionally, these massive vehicles often carry a few dozen tons of cargo when fully loaded. A crash can cause immense financial losses to trucking companies and their insurers.
Although this might seem high, studies show that truck accidents only make up about 6% of fatal accidents, even though heavy trucks account for about 10% of vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
In other words, trucks are significantly underrepresented in fatal motor vehicle crashes. Nevertheless, since they can result in some of the worst injuries and have such grave consequences, it is worth knowing how many truck accidents occur per year in the U.S.
Summary of How Many Truck Accidents Happen a Year
In 2020, there were about 143,000 truck accidents. By 2021, this number had increased to 166,000. In 2022, the number slightly dropped to 165,000, showing that safety improvements or stricter regulations might work.
The trend continued in 2023, with accidents decreasing to 155,000, falling further to 152,000 in 2024, and reaching a new recent low of only 140,000 in 2025. This decrease is likely due to enhanced vehicle safety, tougher traffic laws, and greater safety awareness among truck drivers.
In 2026, as of January 30, there have been 4,020 truck crashes.
Fatalities in Truck Accidents Over the Years
While total truck crashes have fluctuated, fatalities in these accidents have also seen notable changes. Fatalities rose from 5,610 in 2021 to 5,800 in 2022, but then dropped to 4,890 in 2023. This downward trend continued with 4,570 fatalities in 2024 and 3,870 in 2025.
As of January 30, 2026, 287 fatal truck crashes have been reported. With only early-year data available, it is too soon to predict whether fatal accidents will increase or decrease compared to last year. These shifts likely reflect ongoing safety improvements, stricter enforcement of trucking regulations, and better driver training programs.
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Factors Influencing How Many Truck Accidents Per Year
Several factors lead to truck accidents. Driver's mental health due to long hours on the road without proper rest is a major cause. Trucks that aren't well-maintained are likely to break down and cause accidents. Bad weather and poor road conditions can also raise the risk of accidents. Heavy traffic, particularly in cities, can also increase the risk. A higher number of truck drivers in some years could also cause more accidents. Even inappropriate clothing such as driving without boots can lead to a crash.
Rather than speculating, you can look at the results of a crash causation study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Overall, the truck bore the blame for just over 55% of collisions with other vehicles. Of these, truck driver mistakes caused about 87% of crashes, truck or trailer issues accounted for 10%, and environmental conditions accounted for 3%.
Legal Rights After a Truck Crash
When a truck causes an accident, the trucking company will usually bear liability for any resulting losses and costs. Even when a crash results from a trucker’s negligence, the employer is liable to victims as long as it happened in the course and scope of the employee’s duties.
Federal financial responsibility laws require trucking companies to carry at least $750,000 in insurance and surety bonds. After a crash, victims file claims seeking personal injury settlements from the trucking company’s insurers and sureties.
Learn More About Trucking Accidents From ConsumerShield
Knowing how many truck accidents per year result from trucking company or truck driver negligence helps to explain when you can pursue an injury claim.
Negligence can be a tricky concept, so ConsumerShield provides educational resources and connections to truck accident lawyers who can help you analyze your case and decide whether you should accept the compensation or file a truck accident lawsuit. We also help raise awareness about potential issues like the unethical handling of funds, ensuring victims are informed and protected throughout the legal process.
