According to 2023 federal data, 5,472 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks in the U.S. Another 86,842 people suffered injuries across 170,716 truck-related accidents—an average of 420 crashes every single day. Behind these grim numbers is a growing pattern of negligence that has turned the nation’s trucking boom into a public safety crisis.
This analysis examines the scope of negligent practices in the American trucking industry, from hours-of-service violations to fatal crashes, the companies facing the most lawsuits, and why regulatory enforcement remains a step behind the industry’s rapid growth.
Trucking’s Growth, and Its Deadly Side Effects
There are currently 13 million registered trucks in the U.S., including 2.9 million semi-trucks. Nearly 1.9 million companies operate them, powering an industry that generated $987 billion in 2024, up from $940.8 billion just two years earlier.
Freight demand has soared, and so has the danger. Since 1970, truck travel has increased 231%, and with it, accidents. Between 2009 and 2023, the number of fatal large-truck crashes jumped from 2,983 to 4,354.
Critically, 65% of fatalities in these crashes were occupants of other vehicles, while 17% were pedestrians or cyclists. It is not simply congestion fueling these crashes; 32% are linked directly to speeding, while a rising share stem from driver negligence.
The Violations Driving the Crisis
Hours of Service (HOS) Abuse
To curb fatigue, federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules restrict truckers’ drive times. But in 2023, HOS violations made up more than 40% of all driver-related citations during roadside inspections.
- 58,918 drivers were cited for HOS violations in 2023.
- Nearly half of these cases involved exceeding the 14-hour duty period.
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) violations—such as falsified logs or unauthorized devices—accounted for 10%.
Despite ELD requirements, falsifying duty logs remains rampant. One carrier was fined $87,830 in 2024 for systematic log falsification—evidence that profits continue to outweigh compliance.
Other Common Roadside Violations (2023 Data)
- Failure to obey traffic signals: 65,448 violations (5 CSA severity points each)
- Speeding (6–10 mph over limit): 61,267 violations (4 CSA points)
- Falsified driver logs: 52,962 violations (7 CSA points)
- Operating without a CDL: 52,516 violations (5 CSA points)
- Seatbelt violations: 62,413 violations (8 CSA points)
- Medical certificate violations: 42,379 violations (1 CSA point)
In just the first half of 2025, 11.6 million driver inspections uncovered 4.6 million violations, including nearly 1 million committed by out-of-service drivers.
When and Where Truck Crashes Turn Fatal
Crash timing data underscores how trucks pose unique risks:
- 47% of truck fatalities occur between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., compared to just 28% of other crashes in that window.
- More than half of truck deaths (51%) occur on major non-interstate roads, not highways.
| Time of Day | Large Truck Fatalities | Other Vehicle Fatalities | Total Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight–3 a.m. | 375 (9%) | 4,338 (12%) | 4,713 (12%) |
| 6 a.m.–9 a.m. | 613 (14%) | 3,113 (9%) | 3,726 (9%) |
| Noon–3 p.m. | 713 (16%) | 4,265 (12%) | 4,978 (12%) |
| 3 p.m.–6 p.m. | 658 (15%) | 5,590 (15%) | 6,248 (15%) |
The Companies Facing the Most Lawsuits
Truck crashes are rarely just driver errors—they are tied to the companies pushing unsafe practices. According to federal lawsuit data, these carriers face the highest number of personal injury suits:
- Swift Transportation – 299 lawsuits
- Werner Enterprises – 289 lawsuits
- Schneider National Carriers – 154 lawsuits
- Western Express – 103 lawsuits
- USA Truck – 95 lawsuits
Freight Type and Risk
- Hazardous Materials: Hazmat truck accidents rose 155% over the past decade. Since 2010, they have caused 52 deaths and 160 injuries, with 75% of incidents caused by driver error, often fatigue.
- Oversized Loads: Crashes like the 2023 Texas disaster, when a 350,000-pound load detached, highlight the catastrophic risk of noncompliance.
- Perishable Goods: Tight delivery schedules lead to speeding and fatigue, while improperly secured loads cause rollovers and loss of control.
Notably, 63% of tanker rollovers occur when carrying partial loads, due to load imbalance and instability.
A System of Repeat Offenders
Study data shows that 96% of fatal truck crashes are linked to avoidable human error. Even more concerning, over 90% of hazmat crashes involve repeat offenders.
Why? Because enforcement has not kept pace with the industry. 42% of drivers admit they are pressured by their companies to violate HOS rules. Speeding is often tied to deadlines for perishable deliveries, while inadequate maintenance reflects companies prioritizing profit over safety.
The Legal and Human Cost
Truck crashes don’t just destroy lives—they generate waves of lawsuits, insurance disputes, and environmental cleanup costs in hazmat cases. Current federal liability minimums cap damages at $1 million for standard rigs and $5 million for hazardous loads, often leaving victims and families undercompensated.
Until trucking companies face harsher penalties for violations and regulators prioritize enforcement, negligence will remain a fixture of America’s roads.
Conclusion
The numbers tell a sobering story: thousands of lives lost, hundreds of thousands of injuries, and an industry culture that continues to push drivers past safe limits. With trucks carrying everything from fuel to food across America’s highways, negligence has consequences that ripple far beyond a single crash site.
At Bader Law, we’ve seen firsthand how trucking negligence devastates families. Our attorneys, members of the State Bar of Georgia, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, and the Atlanta Bar Association, fight to hold negligent companies accountable. If you or a loved one has been impacted by a truck accident, contact us today.
