Truck Accident Statistics You Need to Know

Webster Vicknair MacLeod has tried and won some of the biggest transportation cases in U.S. history, from a $200 million train derailment settlement to multimillion-dollar verdicts in catastrophic crash cases.

With more than 120 years of combined trial experience, our lawyers are trusted nationwide to take on the toughest truck accident claims. We follow the data closely because understanding crash statistics is the first step in proving negligence and maximizing recovery for victims.

Below, we break down the most recent national and Texas truck accident numbers straight from federal and state agencies and explain what they mean for injured families.

National & State Truck Accident Statistics

• In 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported 5,788 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks and buses nationwide
• TxDOT reports that Texas leads the nation in fatal truck crashes year after year; in 2023, there were more than 9,000 commercial motor vehicle crashes in Texas, with nearly 1.5% proving fatal
• According to the Texas Watch 2025 report, Texas remains #1 in the U.S. for the highest number of large truck crashes, underscoring the outsized danger on our roads
• A peer-reviewed study found that crashes on curved roads, at night, and on poorly lit highways significantly increased injury severity in Texas truck accidents
• Older and male drivers were also disproportionately involved in severe cases

Houston & Local Trends

• Interstate 45 through Houston consistently ranks among the nation’s most dangerous highways
• In 2023 alone, 97 fatal crashes occurred on I-45, claiming 105 lives
• In 2024, Houston recorded 301 total traffic fatalities
• TxDOT reported nearly 28,000 work-zone crashes statewide in 2024, including 215 deaths — a 12% increase from 2023
• Large trucks often contribute disproportionately in these areas due to their size and limited maneuverability

Why These Numbers Matter in Court

At trial or in settlement negotiations, our lawyers use state and federal crash data to show juries and insurance companies that:

• Truck accidents are foreseeable and preventable, not freak occurrences
• Companies know — or should know — the risks when they push drivers beyond safe limits, cut corners on maintenance, or overload trailers
• Regulatory violations (hours-of-service logs, inspection failures, black box data) tie directly into the patterns reflected in statewide crash numbers

This blend of evidence and context helps us hold negligent drivers, trucking companies, and even manufacturers accountable.

What Texans Should Keep in Mind

• Statute of Limitations: In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of a crash to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
• Comparative Fault: Texas law reduces or bars recovery if you share too much blame. Careful investigation is key to protecting your share of recovery.
• Multi-Party Liability: In many truck cases, more than one party is responsible, from the driver to the carrier, a mechanic, a shipper, or a government entity that designed or maintained the road.

Webster Vicknair MacLeod is Rebuilding Lives Across the Nation

Our courtroom results prove we know how to turn data into justice. From federal mass tort verdicts to record-breaking settlements, we have the resources, reputation, and relentless drive to take on trucking companies and their insurers.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck crash, don’t wait. Critical evidence disappears fast, and the numbers show Texas is ground zero for these deadly wrecks. Contact us today for a free case evaluation; we work nationwide on contingency and don’t stop until justice is served.