Large truck accidents can injure road users, damage property, and contaminate the environment. 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.
But how many semi truck accidents per year occur in the U.S.? Statistics suggest that the number fluctuates between roughly 140,000 and 165,000 annually.
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 have such grave consequences, it is worth knowing how many truck accidents per year in the U.S.
Summary of How Many Truck Accidents Happen a Year
In 2020, there were about 143,000 semi-truck accidents. By 2021, this number had increased to 166,000. In 2022, the number slightly dropped to 164,000, showing that safety improvements or stricter regulations might work.
The trend continued in 2023, with accidents decreasing to 152,000. This decrease is likely due to enhanced vehicle safety, tougher traffic laws, and greater safety awareness among truck drivers.
The numbers are still out for 2024, but as of the end of September 2024, there have been 99,000 semi-truck crashes.
Factors Influencing How Many Semi Truck Accidents Per Year
Several factors lead to semi-truck accidents. Driver 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 roads in poor condition 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 semi 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. Contact us for a free case evaluation.
