Truck accident statistics (U.S., 2023)
Large trucks are involved in a relatively small share of crashes, but because of their size and weight, the people most often killed are those in the other vehicle. The figures below come from IIHS (using FARS data) and NHTSA.
Who is killed in large-truck crashes
IIHS reports 4,354 deaths in large-truck crashes in 2023. Of those killed, 16% were truck occupants, 65% were occupants of other vehicles, and 17% were pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists. Source: IIHS, 2023.
The imbalance is even sharper in direct collisions: in two-vehicle fatal crashes between a passenger vehicle and a large truck, 97% of those killed were in the passenger vehicle. Source: IIHS.
The trend
| Truck-crash deaths vs. 2009 low | 38% higher. Source: IIHS |
|---|---|
| Truck-occupant deaths, 2022 → 2023 | down 12%. Source: NHTSA |
| Other-vehicle occupant deaths, 2022 → 2023 | down 8%. Source: NHTSA |
The two views are not contradictory: the long-run total is well above its 2009 low, while the most recent year-over-year change (2022 to 2023) was a decline. Data on commercial-vehicle safety is also tracked by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Related road-safety statistics
- Car accident statistics — the overall national picture.
- DUI / drunk-driving statistics — alcohol's role in crashes.
- Pedestrian accident statistics — pedestrians are 17% of truck-crash deaths (with cyclists and riders).
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in large-truck crashes each year?
Who is killed in truck crashes?
In a car-versus-truck crash, who is more at risk?
Are truck-crash deaths going up or down?
Sources
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