When Trucks Fail: How Negligence is Fueling a Deadly Crisis on U.S. Roads

Every day in America, hundreds of trucks crash. In 2023 alone, 170,716 truck-related accidents left 86,842 people injured and claimed 5,472 lives—an average of 420 wrecks a day. These are not random tragedies. A significant share stem from preventable negligence by trucking companies and their drivers.

The trucking industry is the backbone of U.S. commerce, moving fuel, food, and freight worth billions. But behind its booming profits is a mounting human toll. This investigation examines where negligence is most rampant, which companies are most often sued, and why regulators struggle to stem the tide of fatal crashes.

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A Billion-Dollar Industry with a Safety Problem

The U.S. freight industry generated $987 billion in 2024, and nearly 13 million trucks are currently registered nationwide. Freight volumes continue to rise, and with them, highway risks.

Since 2009, fatal truck crashes have surged from 2,983 to 4,354 annually. Despite advances in safety technology, the overwhelming cause is human error. 32% of truck crashes are tied to speeding, while driver fatigue and regulatory violations remain persistent threats.

The victims are rarely truckers themselves: 65% of those killed in large-truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles, while pedestrians and cyclists make up 17%.

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Inside the Violations

Hours of Service Failures

Federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules were designed to keep drivers from working dangerously long shifts. But in 2023, HOS violations represented over 40% of driver-related inspection failures.

• 58,918 drivers were cited for HOS infractions.

• Nearly half had exceeded the 14-hour duty limit.

• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) violations—false logs, missing records, or unauthorized devices—made up about 10%.

Even with ELDs, log falsification remains rampant, with some carriers facing tens of thousands in fines. The problem is systemic: 42% of drivers admit they are pressured by companies to break HOS rules.

Other Common Safety Breaches (2023 Data)

• Seatbelt violations: 62,413 (8 CSA severity points each)

• Traffic signal violations: 65,448 (5 CSA points)

• Speeding 6–10 mph over limit: 61,267 (4 CSA points)

• Driving without a CDL: 52,516 (5 CSA points)

• False duty logs: 52,962 (7 CSA points)

In the first half of 2025, more than 4.6 million violations were recorded in 11.6 million inspections—including nearly 1 million committed by out-of-service drivers.

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Where and When Deadly Truck Accidents Happen

Truck crashes don’t happen evenly across the map or clock.

• 51% of fatal crashes occur on major non-interstate roads.

• 34% occur on interstates, and 15% on minor roads.

• 47% of truck fatalities occur between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., making daytime hours far riskier for truck-involved deaths than other types of crashes.

Time Period	Truck Crash Fatalities	Other Vehicle Fatalities	Total
6 a.m.–9 a.m.	613 (14%)	3,113 (9%)	3,726
9 a.m.–noon	706 (16%)	2,837 (8%)	3,543
Noon–3 p.m.	713 (16%)	4,265 (12%)	4,978

These numbers show that the dangers of trucking aren’t just late-night hazards—they peak during working hours, when roads are busiest.

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The Companies Under Fire

When truck drivers crash, the liability often extends to the corporations behind them. Federal lawsuit data reveals which carriers have faced the most injury claims:

• Swift Transportation – 299 lawsuits

• Werner Enterprises – 289 lawsuits

• Schneider National – 154 lawsuits

• Western Express – 103 lawsuits

• USA Truck – 95 lawsuits

These are among the country’s largest freight companies, and the lawsuits reflect both the scale of their operations and systemic safety lapses.

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Freight Type: Hazards on the Highway

Not all truck crashes are equal. The type of cargo matters:

• Hazardous Materials: Incidents involving hazmat trucks increased 155% over the last decade, killing 52 and injuring 160. Over 75% are caused by driver fatigue or inattention, and more than 90% involve repeat offenders.

• Oversized Loads: A 2023 Texas crash involving a 350,000-pound load that detached mid-route highlights the catastrophic risk of regulatory failures.

• Perishable Goods: Time-sensitive cargo leads to fatigue, speeding, and improperly secured loads, raising rollover risks.

Even load distribution is dangerous: 63% of tanker rollovers happen when carrying partial loads, due to instability and imbalance.

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A Culture of Repeat Negligence

The most damning fact is that 96% of truck crashes are tied to preventable human error. Drivers and companies repeatedly cut corners—whether by ignoring HOS rules, neglecting maintenance, or prioritizing delivery schedules over safety.

Speeding, log falsification, and fatigued driving are rarely first offenses. They are signs of a systemic culture where safety takes a back seat to profit margins.

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The Way Forward

Current federal insurance minimums—$1 million for most rigs and $5 million for hazardous loads—do little to account for the long-term costs of wrongful deaths, catastrophic injuries, or environmental disasters.

Stronger penalties, more aggressive oversight, and higher corporate accountability are urgently needed. Without them, America will continue to see the same tragedies repeat, day after day, load after load.

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Conclusion

Truck accidents aren’t simply the cost of doing business in the freight industry. They are the result of avoidable negligence, often repeated by the same companies and drivers.

Until regulators raise the stakes, and trucking firms make safety as much of a priority as profits, the toll will remain staggering—thousands dead, tens of thousands injured, and countless families devastated.

Bader Law represents victims of trucking negligence and fights to hold companies accountable. Our attorneys are proud members of the State Bar of Georgia, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, and the Atlanta Bar Association. If you or a loved one has been affected by a truck crash, contact us today.