In the United States, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for compiling data on commercial truck crashes and related fatalities. Year after year, Texas, California, and Florida record the most large truck accidents in the country. The remaining seven states on the list tend to vary over time, but in 2026, Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, and Alabama are on track to round it out.
Below, we’ll provide an overview of truck crashes in these ten states and discuss the factors that contribute to large truck crashes. We’ll also explain why Texas tends to stay at the top of the list of accident-prone states.
Top Ten States for Large Truck Crashes
According to crash statistics gathered by the FMCSA Analysis & Information (A&I) online tracking system, these ten American states have the highest volume of commercial large truck accidents. The list includes:
#1: Texas
Texas serves as the nation’s top logistics and energy hub, which means it carries the country’s highest volume of freight traffic moving across its huge highway system. This state consistently ranks #1 in truck accidents in the U.S. with nearly 40,000 collisions, accounting for more than 11% of all commercial vehicle crashes in the nation. Texas truck crashes also lead to the highest number of truck accident-related fatalitities in any state, frequently exceeding 500 to 700 deaths annually.
#2: California
California is another large state that experiences a high number of truck accidents, ranking #2 due to its logistical importance and high interstate freight traffic and urban truck traffic congestion near its major cities. The state has recorded over 300,000 commercial trucking accidents in its history.
#3: Florida
Florida’s densely traveled shipping corridors like I-95, I-75, and I-4 make it a magnet for truck crashes between major metro areas. Its growing population creates heavy consumer demand that contributes to heavy truck traffic onto a few congested highways.
#4: Georgia
Georgia is a busy southeastern freight hub, with a heavy volume of commercial traffic coming into and out of Atlanta and Savannah. As a port city, Savannah is the source of a constant stream of container trucks moving inland along I-16, a highway which experiences a high concentration of high-speed truck collisions. I-20, I-75, and I-80 converge in Atlanta, making it a bottleneck for freight traffic. Furthermore, Georgia’s proximity to Florida and the Midwest also makes it a common throughway for out-of-state carriers, who may be unfamiliar with the state’s roads.
#5: Tennessee
Tennessee is another major logistics hub that connects the East and Midwest to the South. Crashes are common along I-40 and I-24. Known as the “Pass-through State,” it includes areas of hazardous mountain terrain. Statistically, semi-trucks account for about 7% of all fatal crashes statewide.
#6: Illinois
Illinois is the Midwestern hub for rail-to-truck freight transfer and interstate traffic. This makes Chicago a distribution bottleneck. Most of the state’s truck accidents are concentrated along I-290 and I-80 in and near Cook County.
#7: North Carolina
North Carolina is a major freight pipeline that connects the Northeast to the Deep South along I-95. Its coastal proximity and booming population also makes it conducive to high levels of collision activity. Routes like I-85, I-40, and I-77 also converge to create busy industrial corridors that carry everything from large 80,000-pound rigs to small box trucks to commuter traffic.
#8: Indiana
Known as the “Crossroads of America,” Indiana has the highest number of pass-through interstates in the nation. I-65, I-70, I-74, I-69, I-94, and I-90 are exposed to high levels of freight traffic, making it a logistics bottleneck. Most severe truck crashes involve out-of-state drivers who are unfamiliar with the roads.
#9: Ohio
Ohio is known as the East-West shipping bridge in the U.S. between Midwest manufacturing centers and East Coast shipping ports. I-70, I-75, I-71, and I-80/I-90 (the Ohio Turnpike) are major freight corridors that carry a high concentration of trucks. Drivers are known for trying to speed through the state, which increases the risk of crashes.
#10: Alabama
Alabama ‘s high accident rate is attributable to it expanding heavy manufacturing presence, rural infrastructure, and dense interstate traffic. Birmingham serves as a major convergence point for I-20, I-65, I-59, and I-22. I-65, in particular, acts as a prime, fast-moving route for auto parts and manufacturing supplies that can be challenging for long-haul truckers.
Why Are There So Many Commercial Truck Crashes in the United States?
Every day, millions of large commercial trucks carry everything from consumer goods to industrial supplies and more across America. The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) tracks roughly 14 to 14.3 million registered large commercial trucks (single-unit and combination trucks) that travel over 330 billion miles annually. Although the trucking industry is regulated for safety, the number of trucks on the road, combined with pressure to make deliveries quickly, can sometimes exacerbate factors that contribute to accidents, like:
Driver Fatigue
By law, truck drivers can only be on the road for 11 hours at a time, and they must take a 30-minute break after eight hours. They must also take a 10-hour break no later than 14 hours after their duty shift starts, and log no more than 60 driving hours per week. Despite these restrictions, hours-of-service violations are common in the trucking industry, leading to roadside citations and accidents. Drivers must accommodate narrow delivery windows frequently encounter traffic or weather delays that can extend their time on the road. Delays at loading docks and a lack of safe, available truck parking can also lead truckers to exceed their legal driving limits. Furthermore, drivers that are paid per mile may be incentivized to spend more time on the road to meet their quota.
Unfortunately, the longer truck drivers stay on the road, the more likely it is that they will experience an accident. As fatigue sets in, response times slow down, attention spans shorten, and impulsivity increases, which affects a driver’s ability to control their vehicle safely. Tired drivers may also make poor decisions than their well-rested counterparts. Experts estimate that fatigue directly contributes to about 13% of large truck crashes, as drivers fail to stop, merge, change lanes, or maintain safe following distances and reasonable speeds. Tired drivers may also experience tunnel vision, doze off, or falling asleep at the wheel, leading to catastrophic collisions.
Distracted or Impaired Driving
Like fatigue, distraction and cognitive impairment can be major factors in causing truck accidents. Drivers who check their phone or GPS screens for updates or glance at signs are looking away from the road, at least momentarily. If a driver looks away from the road for three seconds while traveling 55 miles per hour, they will move forward blindly for 360 feet, providing plenty of opportunity for a crash. Grabbing a phone, snack, beverage, or adjusting the radio can slow reaction times during unexpected changes in traffic. Texting while driving is even worse– it makes a driver up to 23 times more likely to experience a crash.
Drivers who are daydreaming or stressed out are also less likely to be focused on road safety. What’s more, if a driver’s cognition is impaired by alcohol, prescription or over-the-counter medication, or illegal drugs, their judgement and coordination are likely to suffer. An imbalance caused by chemical substances can dampen spatial awareness and make it more difficult for drivers to control and stop their vehicles, making high-impact collisions more likely.
Speeding
When drivers feel pressured to meet delivery deadlines, they may be inclined to speed on the road. Unfortunately, speeding makes large, multi-ton trucks more difficult to control, dramatically increases stopping distances, and amplifies the force of any impact. At high speeds, large trucks cannot stop quickly or maintain their center of gravity when turning. Losing control of a truck on a twisting road, sharp turn, or an exit ramp can cause it to jackknife or roll over. Worst of all, when a speeding commercial vehicle crashes, the impact force can affect several vehicles at once, causing multiple injuries and fatalities.
Improper Cargo Loading
Sometimes, workers at loading docks may overload or have difficulty balancing or securing cargo within a truck’s storage area, which can make the vehicle unstable and reduce its braking capacity. Heavy trucks with a lopsided or high center of gravity may tip over when a driver is turning or changing lanes. Poor load distribution can reduce front-wheel traction, making steering more difficult. Overloading a truck can also strain its brakes and cause tire blowouts, leading the driver to lose control of vehicle control and crash. Poorly secured cargo can also spill onto the road suddenly, creating obstacles that lead to collisions with passenger vehicles nearby.
Equipment Defects
Since trucks spend so much time on the road, it’s common for maintenance to fall by the wayside. A 2010 Large Truck Crash Causation Study revealed that nearly 55% of truck crashes that caused injuries had at least one mechanical violation, and almost 30% should not have been in service. The FMCSA says that about 10% of large truck crashes are caused by equipment failure, with poor maintenance contributing to nearly 40% of the accidents. Neglecting regular maintenance is a common case of brake failure caused by worn brake pads, air leaks, and overheated drums. Tires with worn tread or improper pressure levels can blow out suddenly. Faulty hydraulic systems can cause steering issues, and a loose hitch can cause a trailer to detach from its tow vehicle. Any of these defects can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and lead to a serious accident.
Poor Road Conditions
Every day, commercial truck drivers must contend with the effects of bad weather, debris, and slick or compromised asphalt surfaces that can reduce their visibility and feel for the road. Poor road conditions can reduce tire traction and make steering difficult. Potholes and broken asphalt can cause tire blowouts or damage steering components. Water, ice, and spilled oil or gravel can cause drivers to slide on the highway. Heavy rain, fog, and snow can it make it harder for drivers to see other vehicles or debris on the road. All these factors can make it difficult for drivers to brake, turn, or change lanes safely, and lead to terrible crashes.
Why Are Truck Accidents So Common in Texas?
Texas has the most miles of road of any state and hosts two of the busiest commercial trucking corridors in the nation. I-10 connects El Paso, San Antonio, and Houston, while I-35 crosses Laredo, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Commercial trucks also travel over thousands of rural roads. With such a high volume of traffic, it’s no surprise that Texas leads the nation in truck accidents.