In 2024, approximately 120,724 large trucks were involved in crashes resulting in an injury in the U.S. — a 5.4% increase from 2023. That same year, large trucks accounted for 9% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes. Since 2016, the number of trucks involved in injury crashes has increased 18% (National Safety Council: 2024 Data).
Semi-Truck Accident Statistics at a Glance
- 120,724 large trucks were involved in injury crashes in 2024.
- 5.4% increase in truck injury crashes from 2023 to 2024.
- 9% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes in 2024 were large trucks.
- 18% increase in trucks involved in injury crashes since 2016.
- 70% of people killed in large-truck crashes in 2024 were occupants of the other, smaller vehicle.
- Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds — roughly 20 times a typical passenger car.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents?
When the semi-truck driver caused the accident and is the at-fault party, negligence usually stems from the size, weight, and operational demands of the vehicle. According to FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study, the most frequent causes include:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours behind the wheel or skipped rest breaks can lead a driver to nod off or lose focus — often tied to violations of federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules.
- Distracted driving: Cell phone use, GPS adjustments, or eating behind the wheel pulls a driver’s attention away from a vehicle that requires far more reaction time than a passenger car.
- Improper loading: Cargo that is overloaded or not properly secured can shift mid-drive, throwing off the truck’s balance and causing a rollover or loss of control.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Because semi-trucks need significantly more distance to stop, driving too fast for road or weather conditions dramatically raises the risk of a rear-end or jackknife collision.
- Equipment failure: Skipped maintenance can lead to blown tires, failed brakes, or malfunctioning lights — all especially dangerous given the size of the vehicle.
Why Are Semi-Truck Accidents So Deadly?
Because semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, accidents involving them are significantly more devastating than typical passenger-car collisions. In 2024, 70% of the people who died in crashes involving large trucks were occupants of the other, smaller vehicle — not occupants of the truck itself (National Safety Council: 2024 Data).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many semi-truck accidents happened in 2024?
Approximately 120,724 large trucks were involved in injury crashes in the U.S. in 2024, a 5.4% increase over 2023.
Are semi-truck accidents increasing?
Yes. The number of trucks involved in injury crashes has increased 18% since 2016, and injury crashes rose 5.4% from 2023 to 2024 alone.
Who is most likely to die in a semi-truck crash?
Occupants of the other, smaller vehicle. In 2024, they made up 70% of the deaths in crashes involving large trucks.
Sources
- National Safety Council: 2024 Data (NHTSA Crash Stats)
- FMCSA Large Truck Crash Causation Study