The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published that over 503,000 large truck crashes were reported to the police in 2022. Out of the estimated 7 million police-reported crashes that occur annually, that equates to roughly 7% of accidents on American roads.
As valuable as semi-trucks are to the American economy, their mass and volume mean major problems in the minority of accidents they are involved in. Victims in truck crashes face greater risks of devastating injuries or even death, and spilled cargo can affect entire communities.
Truck Accident Facts and Statistics
Truck accidents have been slowly and steadily rising over the past few years, with the FMCSA’s latest report showing a 2% increase in the number of truck crashes reported between 2021 and 2022. Of the more than half a million truck-related crashes reported, 5,279 were fatal, and 114,000 resulted in some form of injury.
It should be noted that in 2016, the NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) reclassified 329 vehicles that were formerly considered as light trucks under its new definition of large trucks (at least 10,000 lbs gross vehicle weight). This means not all reported large truck accidents since 2016 are necessarily semi-truck accidents.
According to the FMCSA, the greatest risk for truck accidents occurred:
- In rural areas, more than half of all truck accidents occur outside cities, with 27% of these accidents taking place on interstate highways. Approximately 13% of large truck accidents occurred in locations that were both rural and on an interstate highway.
- At night, 39% of fatal large truck accidents occurred between 6 PM and 6 AM. Nearly a quarter of accidents involving injuries and a fifth of property damage-only crashes happened in the same window.
- On weekdays, over 80% of all large truck crashes occurred from Monday through Friday. That is 82% of fatal crashes and 80% of non-fatal crashes.
Semi Truck Accident Fatalities Per Year
About 1% of reported accidents a year result in fatalities. In 2022, that number was 5,279 crashes, and the year before, it was 5,149 out of 494,000.
On a positive note, preliminary data from the FMCSA available on the Crash Query Tool shows that truck accident fatalities have recently decreased, starting in 2023, which saw a total of 4,890 fatal truck accidents. This number further dropped in 2024 to a total of 4,570 crashes.
This trend appears to continue into 2025. As of November, there have been 2,900 fatal truck accidents involving large trucks, which, while still a large number, puts the year on track for a marked improvement in terms of truck safety.
How to Avoid Truck Accidents
There are many different concepts that go into road safety, and generally speaking, what applies for road users also applies to truckers. That said, while many of these concepts, such as defensive driving, for instance, are easy enough to understand, others need at least some nuance when dealing with semi-trucks.
For Motorists
- Follow the rules of the road. Truck drivers are held to stricter regulations than most other road users, but that doesn’t mean you can place more responsibility on truckers to avoid accidents. Following the rules of the road allows truck operators to reliably predict your behavior so they can adjust their vehicles accordingly.
- Stay alert. The rule of “no distracted driving” never holds more true than when on the interstate, where more than a quarter of truck accidents occur. Major highways can be monotonous, demanding more focus and attention than city roads.
- Leave space behind and ahead of a semi truck. You usually need to give more distance than usual when you’re passing or following a large vehicle. If you’re behind the truck, you will have limited vision to make a pass, and if the truck is behind you, its longer stopping distance will mean it might not be able to brake in time.
- Avoid blind spots. Do not spend longer than necessary in areas where the truck driver cannot see you. As a rule of thumb, if you cannot see the driver’s face in the side mirrors, you are in a blind spot and should reposition relative to the truck as soon as you can safely do so.
- Give way. When in doubt, learn to give way to the truck even if you have the right of way. Yielding to larger and less maneuverable vehicles is a safer course of action than forcing your way, even if the law is on your side.
For Truck Operators
- Plan your trips. It’s fairly common for truck drivers to make deliveries to places they haven’t been. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to plan your routes ahead of time, accounting for weather, road conditions, as well as routes and infrastructure you might not be able to use.
- Drive with a spotter. Two pairs of eyes are safer than one, especially with large vehicles, so it’s best to avoid driving without a spotter. That said, do not become overly dependent on your spotter to the point that you forget to watch your own points.
- Check your cargo. Depending on who you drive for, you might have to familiarize yourself with what exactly you’re hauling. Ensure that any hazardous materials are safely contained and that everything in your trailer is securely fastened so as not to move about during rough drives.
What to Do After a Semi Truck Accident
Your actions after a semi truck accident can determine everything that may happen to you afterwards, so every step you take has to have a purpose. The exact sequence will vary depending on what is happening at the site, but generally speaking, you will want to go through each of these steps at some point.
Safety First
The first thing you want to do is check yourself for injuries and move out of harm’s way. You can help other people at the scene of the accident, but do not attempt to do so without first making sure you have no immediate injuries.
Once you are sure of your safety, you can proceed to secure other occupants in your vehicle. Do not try to move unconscious or immobilized passengers without proper training, or without the help of emergency responders, unless there is an immediate threat to the person’s life.
Finally, move your vehicle out of the way of traffic if you can. While in most cases, it is advisable to preserve the scene of an accident, staying in the path of traffic turns your vehicle into a hazard that can lead to more collisions.
Call 911
Once you are able, report the accident to 911. If law enforcement is present at the scene of an accident, coordinate with them as soon as you can.
While on the call with 911, you will generally want to request medical assistance and police presence. For more serious accidents, also ask for the fire department to help relocate trapped individuals or put out any fire hazards.
Of note: when the police arrive, stay calm and report what you know about the situation, but stick to the facts and do not try to discuss blame for the accident. Not only will talking about fault risk escalate tensions at the scene, but insurance companies can use what you say against you when you file a claim.
Document the Scene
You will want to gather as much information as you can while you are at the scene. Take photos and videos of anything and everything connected to the accident.
- Skid marks
- Vehicle damage
- Road conditions
- Traffic signs
- Vehicle positions
- Cargo
- License plates
- DOT numbers on the truck
- Injuries
You will also need to collect the truck driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details, as well as any details of the trucking company itself.
Seek Medical Attention
Once paramedics arrive, see to it that they assess your injuries. This applies even if you feel fine, as some injuries might not be immediately apparent after an accident.
You don’t have to accept ambulance transport after an accident, but you should see a doctor regardless. Early medical records will help assure your safety while also serving as evidence for any claim or lawsuit you may want to pursue later on.
Call a Lawyer
Finally, getting assistance from a Chicago truck accident lawyer allows you to kickstart your path to a personal injury claim. Insurance companies have their own legal teams working to minimize or outright deny claims entirely, and an attorney on your side will often help level the playing field against them.
If you’ve already followed the other steps up to this point, you and your lawyer will have everything you need to secure compensation for any harm you might have suffered. Even if you haven’t—for instance, if you’ve been too debilitated by injuries to act—your lawyer can pursue your claim on your behalf.
Need Help After a Truck Accident? Call The Personal Injury Lawyers™ Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, the path to recovery can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Dealing with insurance claims, medical bills, and complex legal statutes requires expert guidance.
The Personal Injury Lawyers™ are here to help you navigate the aftermath, fight for the compensation you deserve, and hold negligent parties accountable. Contact our dedicated team today at (312) 999-9990 for a free consultation to discuss your case and understand your legal options.
