Truck Accident Statistics (2026)
By the FindMyAccidentLawyer Data Team · Updated October 19, 2026 · 26 sourced statistics · CSV · JSON · Cite this page
Large-truck crashes killed 5,340 people in the U.S. in 2024, according to NHTSA. IIHS reports the same 5,340 total for 2024. NHTSA says 70 percent of the dead were occupants of other vehicles. NHTSA also estimates 161,201 people were injured in 2024.
The numbers at a glance
- 5,3405,340 people were killed in U.S. traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2024. Source
- 161,201An estimated 161,201 people were injured in U.S. traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2024. Source
- 3,753In 2024, 3,753 people killed in large-truck crashes (70 percent) were occupants of other vehicles. Source
- 14%Fourteen percent of all U.S. motor vehicle crash deaths in 2024 occurred in large truck crashes. Source
- 1.58In 2024, large trucks were involved in fatal crashes at a rate of 1.58 per 100 million large-truck vehicle miles traveled. Source
- 9%Large trucks accounted for 9 percent of all vehicles in fatal U.S. traffic crashes in 2024, while making up 5 percent of registered vehicles and 10 percent of vehicle miles traveled. Source
- 56%Fifty-six percent of fatal traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2024 occurred in rural areas. Source
- 720Texas had the most deaths in crashes involving a large truck of any state in 2024 (720), followed by California (394) and Florida (356). Source
How many people die in large-truck crashes?
NHTSA and IIHS agree on the 2024 death total. NHTSA adds counts of trucks involved. For all road users, see the national car accident statistics.
- 5,340deaths2024
5,340 people were killed in U.S. traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2024.
- 5,340deaths2024
IIHS reports 5,340 people died in large truck crashes in 2024: 17 percent were truck occupants, 62 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 19 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.
- 161,201injuries2024
An estimated 161,201 people were injured in U.S. traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2024.
- 548,521large trucks2024
An estimated 548,521 large trucks were in police-reported U.S. traffic crashes in 2024.
- 5,218large trucks2024
5,218 large trucks were involved in fatal U.S. traffic crashes in 2024.
- 120,724large trucks2024
120,724 large trucks were involved in injury crashes in the U.S. in 2024 (estimate).
Who dies in truck crashes: truck occupants or other people?
Most victims were not in the truck. NHTSA and IIHS group them differently, so the shares do not line up exactly. People on foot and on bikes are covered in our pedestrian accident statistics.
- 3,753deaths2024
In 2024, 3,753 people killed in large-truck crashes (70 percent) were occupants of other vehicles.
- 920deaths2024
In 2024, 920 people killed in large-truck crashes (17 percent) were occupants of large trucks.
- 667deaths2024
In 2024, 667 people killed in large-truck crashes (12 percent) were nonoccupants such as pedestrians and bicyclists.
- 96%2024
Ninety-six percent of vehicle occupants killed in 2024 two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck were occupants of the passenger vehicle.
- 116,475injuries2024
In 2024, an estimated 116,475 people injured in large-truck crashes (72 percent) were occupants of other vehicles.
How dangerous are large trucks per mile, and is it getting worse?
Rates and long-run trends show more than one year's count can. NHTSA measures per truck mile, and IIHS compares 2024 with the lowest year on record.
- 1.58per 100 million miles2024
In 2024, large trucks were involved in fatal crashes at a rate of 1.58 per 100 million large-truck vehicle miles traveled.
- 58%2024
IIHS reports deaths in large truck crashes were 58 percent higher in 2024 than in 2009, the lowest year since fatal crash data collection began in 1975.
Where and when do fatal truck crashes happen?
Fatal truck crashes cluster on rural roads and on weekdays. Interstates are not the most common setting.
- 56%2024
Fifty-six percent of fatal traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2024 occurred in rural areas.
- 25%2024
Twenty-five percent of fatal traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2024 occurred on interstates.
- 51%2024
Fifty-one percent of deaths in large truck crashes in 2024 occurred on major roads other than interstates and freeways, and 30 percent occurred on interstates and freeways.
- 76%2024
Seventy-six percent of fatal traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2024 occurred on weekdays (6 a.m. Monday to 5:59 p.m. Friday).
- 70%2024
Of fatal large-truck crashes on weekdays in 2024, 70 percent occurred during daytime, from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.
What kinds of trucks and crashes are involved?
Trucks are more likely than passenger vehicles to be in a crash with other vehicles. IIHS also splits deaths by truck type. For another vehicle group at high risk, see motorcycle accident statistics.
- 80%2024
Eighty percent of large trucks in fatal traffic crashes in 2024 were in multivehicle crashes, compared with 63 percent of passenger vehicles.
- 58%2024
Fifty-eight percent of deaths in large truck crashes in 2024 were in crashes involving tractor-trailers and 37 percent involved single-unit trucks.
Do truck drivers drink or speed more than other drivers?
NHTSA data point the other way on both counts. Impairment across all crash types is covered in our drunk driving statistics.
- 4%2024
Four percent of large-truck drivers in fatal crashes in 2024 had a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher, compared with 25 percent of passenger car drivers.
- 8%2024
NHTSA's 2024 motorcycle fact sheet reports that 8 percent of large-truck drivers in fatal U.S. crashes in 2024 were speeding, compared with 37 percent of motorcycle riders, 22 percent of passenger car drivers and 15 percent of light-truck drivers.
Which states have the most truck crash deaths?
Texas has the largest count of any state. A rate per person points to a different state.
- 720deaths2024
Texas had the most deaths in crashes involving a large truck of any state in 2024 (720), followed by California (394) and Florida (356).
- 4.08per 100,000 people2024
Per person, New Mexico had the highest rate of deaths in crashes involving a large truck among the 50 states in 2024, at 4.08 per 100,000 people.
Which states have the most deaths in large-truck crashes?
The 15 states with the most deaths in large-truck crashes in 2024, with the rate per 100,000 residents. All 50 states and D.C. are on the state-by-state page.
| # | State | 2024 count | Per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 720 | 2.30 |
| 2 | California | 394 | 1.00 |
| 3 | Florida | 356 | 1.52 |
| 4 | North Carolina | 213 | 1.93 |
| 5 | Georgia | 201 | 1.80 |
| 6 | Ohio | 174 | 1.46 |
| 7 | Tennessee | 172 | 2.38 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 169 | 1.29 |
| 9 | Arizona | 153 | 2.02 |
| 10 | Illinois | 150 | 1.18 |
| 11 | Indiana | 145 | 2.09 |
| 12 | Missouri | 145 | 2.32 |
| 13 | South Carolina | 140 | 2.56 |
| 14 | Alabama | 138 | 2.68 |
| 15 | New York | 123 | 0.62 |
Source: FindMyAccidentLawyer analysis of the NHTSA FARS 2024 data file (Annual Report File) and U.S. Census Bureau 2024 population estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in large-truck crashes in 2024?
NHTSA counts 5,340 deaths in U.S. crashes involving large trucks in 2024. IIHS reports the same total. IIHS says that is 14 percent of all U.S. motor vehicle crash deaths in 2024.
How many people are injured in truck crashes?
NHTSA estimates 161,201 people were injured in U.S. crashes involving large trucks in 2024. About 116,475 of them, or 72 percent, were occupants of other vehicles. These are CRSS estimates.
What counts as a large truck?
NHTSA defines a large truck as a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 lb. Buses and motor homes are excluded. NHTSA's count includes both medium and heavy trucks.
Who is killed in most large-truck crashes?
NHTSA says 3,753 of the people killed in 2024, or 70 percent, were occupants of other vehicles. Truck occupants were 920 (17 percent) and nonoccupants such as pedestrians and bicyclists were 667 (12 percent).
Why do IIHS and NHTSA show different shares of victims?
The totals match, but the groups differ. IIHS reports 17 percent were truck occupants, 62 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 19 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists. IIHS groups motorcyclists with nonoccupants and splits passenger vehicle occupants differently.
How lopsided are two-vehicle crashes between a truck and a car?
IIHS found 96 percent of vehicle occupants killed in 2024 two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck were in the passenger vehicle.
How many large trucks are in crashes?
NHTSA estimates 548,521 large trucks were in police-reported crashes in 2024. Of those, 5,218 were involved in fatal crashes and an estimated 120,724 in injury crashes.
How often are large trucks in fatal crashes per mile?
NHTSA puts the 2024 rate at 1.58 fatal crashes per 100 million large-truck vehicle miles traveled. Large trucks were 9 percent of vehicles in fatal crashes while making up 5 percent of registered vehicles and 10 percent of vehicle miles traveled.
Are truck crash deaths increasing?
IIHS reports deaths in large truck crashes were 58 percent higher in 2024 than in 2009. That year was the lowest since fatal crash data collection began in 1975.
Do most fatal truck crashes happen on interstates?
No. NHTSA says 25 percent of fatal large-truck crashes in 2024 happened on interstates and 56 percent in rural areas. IIHS found 51 percent of deaths came on major roads other than interstates and freeways, and 30 percent on interstates and freeways.
When do fatal truck crashes happen?
NHTSA reports 76 percent of fatal large-truck crashes in 2024 occurred on weekdays, from 6 a.m. Monday to 5:59 p.m. Friday. Of those weekday crashes, 70 percent happened in daytime, from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.
What types of trucks are in fatal crashes?
IIHS says 58 percent of deaths in large truck crashes in 2024 involved tractor-trailers and 37 percent involved single-unit trucks. NHTSA counts 5,218 large trucks in fatal crashes, and 80 percent were in multivehicle crashes, compared with 63 percent of passenger vehicles.
Are truck drivers more likely to be drunk or speeding than other drivers?
NHTSA says 4 percent of large-truck drivers in 2024 fatal crashes had a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher, versus 25 percent of passenger car drivers. Its motorcycle fact sheet reports 8 percent of large-truck drivers were speeding, versus 22 percent of passenger car drivers.
Which state has the most deaths in truck crashes?
FARS 2024 data show Texas had the most at 720, followed by California at 394 and Florida at 356. Per person, New Mexico had the highest rate among the 50 states at 4.08 deaths per 100,000 people.
Can I use these statistics?
Yes. The statistics are free to use under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license (CC BY 4.0). Credit FindMyAccidentLawyer and link back to this page. Each fact card also names the original publisher, so you can cite the source directly.
Cite or link to this page
Free to use under CC BY 4.0. Please credit FindMyAccidentLawyer with a link. Updated October 19, 2026.
FindMyAccidentLawyer. (2026, October 19). Truck Accident Statistics (2026). https://findmyaccidentlawyer.com/data/car-accident-statistics/truck-accidentsMethodology and sources
Counts cover calendar year 2024. NHTSA defines a large truck as one with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 lb, excluding buses and motor homes. Deaths come from NHTSA's FARS data, while injuries and police-reported truck counts are CRSS estimates. NHTSA and IIHS agree on the death total but split victims differently. State counts are FindMyAccidentLawyer's analysis of NHTSA FARS data, and the state rate divides them by Census Vintage 2024 population.
Every number on this page links to the official report it came from. We checked each figure against the source text before publishing, and we recheck the sources every month. The page date changes only when a number changes. Spotted an error? Email profile@findmyaccidentlawyer.com.
- Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Large Trucks, NHTSA (2026-06)
- Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Motorcycles, NHTSA (2026-07)
- Large trucks (IIHS fatality facts), IIHS (2026-06)
- FMAL analysis of NHTSA FARS 2022-2024 data files and Census population estimates, FindMyAccidentLawyer (NHTSA FARS data)
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