Washington Semi Truck Accident Statistics

The trucking industry is thriving in Washington, with hundreds of thousands of tons of goods hauled into and out of the state each day due to its strategic location as the country’s most northwestern state. Washington also borders Canada, offering access to bustling ports and railroads.

In addition to the commercial trucks carrying a wide array of freight, the state’s flourishing timber industry requires semi-trucks hauling logs to share the roadway, putting motorists in smaller vehicles at a significant risk. Understanding semi-truck accident statistics in Washington highlights the trucking industry’s impact on the safety of other motorists.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision with a commercial truck, a Renton truck accident lawyer can help you hold the responsible parties accountable and pursue fair compensation for your injuries.

Large Truck Accident Statistics In Washington

Because trucks cross state lines and national borders, the trucking industry falls under federal authority. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry nationwide and publishes annual crash statistics for each state. The most recent fully analyzed FMCSA data on Washington’s large commercial carrier accidents, including semi-truck crashes, shows the following alarming 2024 statistics:

• There were 1,886 large commercial carrier vehicles in traffic accidents in 2024
• There were 1,827 non-fatal truck accidents
• 57 truck accidents with fatalities occurred
• There were 417 reported injuries in Washington truck accidents in 2024

Truck accident fatalities in Washington have decreased since 2022, a year which saw 2,229 total truck accidents in Washington alone, with 75 fatal crashes.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), large trucks account for 6% of vehicles involved in fatal traffic accidents despite making up only 10% of total vehicle miles traveled in the United States.

Understanding Semi Truck Accident Injuries

As essential as semi trucks are to Washington, as key links in the nation’s supply chain, immense commercial trucks present a serious safety hazard when they crowd smaller vehicles on the roadway. According to National Safety Council (NSC) data, more than 70% of semi-truck accident injuries occur to motorists in smaller vehicles, not the driver of the involved truck.

The most common truck accident injuries include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries, ranging from mild concussions to skull fractures and severe diffuse axonal injuries
• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Fractures, including those of the limbs, hips, ribs, pelvis, clavicle, and vertebrae
• Internal organ injuries
• Soft-tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, torn ligaments, and tendon injuries
• Lacerations, contusions, and abrasions
• Spinal cord injuries
• External head, facial, and dental injuries
• Traumatic amputations
• Burns

According to the Washington Safety Commission, around 75% of Washington’s traffic accident fatalities involve impairment, distraction, and failure to wear seatbelts.

Where Do Most Washington Semi Truck Accidents Happen?

Surprisingly, NSC truck accident statistics show that more large truck accidents happen in rural regions compared to urban areas, with 53.98% of truck accidents on rural roadways and 46.02% of accidents involving commercial carriers occurring in urban areas. About 26.61% of semi-truck accidents in Washington and elsewhere happen on interstate highways, while 73.39% occur on non-interstate roadways.

How Can a Washington Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Help?

Truck accident survivors and the family members of fatally injured motorists involved in truck accidents can seek compensation for their damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, compensation for pain and suffering, or wrongful death benefits. Unfortunately, proving liability under Washington’s fault-based accident laws can be complicated due to the many potentially liable parties involved in the trucking industry.

These entities and their powerful insurance companies often point the finger at others. Contact the experienced truck accident lawyers at Caffee Accident & Injury Attorneys for legal representation in this complex accident claim process.