Truck Accident Statistics for Pennsylvania

Tractor Trailers

Heavy Truck, Semi-Truck, and Tractor Trailer Truck Crash Statistics

Please note that most 2011 and 2012 national and Pennsylvania truck accident statistics have not yet been released. Check back frequently for updated stats and facts on traffic crashes and auto collisions involving trucks when they become available.

2010 National & Pennsylvania Truck Accident Statistics

There were 529 people killed nationally in 2010 in accidents that involved large trucks – a 6 percent increase.
The number of people injured in truck accidents also increased to 19,000 – an increase of 12%.
There were 157 heavy truck-related deaths in 2010 in Pennsylvania.

2009 Truck Accident Statistics (Including Light Trucks)

There were approximately 296,000 crashes involving large trucks in the United States, which accounted for 3.1 percent of total crashes.
Light trucks accounted for 17,902 fatal crashes (39.4 percent). There were 3,950,000 crashes involving light trucks.
Of the 3,215 large trucks involved in fatal crashes in the nation, 73 percent were combination trucks.
Fatal accidents involving large trucks made up 7 percent of all fatal crashes in the U.S.
In Pennsylvania, there were 136 heavy truck-related deaths.
There were 5,247 crashes involving heavy trucks in Pennsylvania in 2009. While it is the lowest number since 2004, there still were 122 fatal crashes.

2008 National Truck Accident Statistics (Including Light Trucks)

There was a 12% decrease in large-truck crash fatalities from 4,822 in 2007 to 4,229 in 2008.
In 2008, there were 10,764 light truck accident deaths.
Light truck fatalities dropped for the third year in a row, decreasing by 14% since 2007.
Light truck occupant injuries totaled 768,000 in 2008, an 8.7% decrease from 2007.

2007 Pennsylvania Truck Accident Statistics

In Pennsylvania during 2007, there were 7,087 crashes involving heavy trucks.
Of those 7,087 crashes, 178 were fatal.
Total crashes were down from 6,657 in 2006. Fatalities were up from 167 in 2006.
Defects contribute to the majority of heavy truck accidents. Some of these defects include:

Tire or Wheel-Related: 107 crashes
Brake-Related: 63 crashes
Unsecure/Trailer Overload: 74 crashes
Power Train Failure: 23 crashes
Total Steering System Failure: 21 crashes

2006 Pennsylvania Truck Accident Statistics

There were 6,657 crashes involving heavy trucks in Pennsylvania during 2006.
167 of those 7,231 crashes were fatal.
Total crashes were down from 7,231 in 2005 but fatalities were up from 173 in 2005.
The majority of heavy truck accidents involve defects. Some of these defects include:

Tire or Wheel-Related: 113 crashes
Brake-Related: 91 crashes
Unsecure/Trailer Overload: 77 crashes
Power Train Failure: 40 crashes
Total Steering System Failure: 14 crashes

2005 Pennsylvania Truck Accident Statistics

7,231 total crashes involved heavy trucks during 2005 in Pennsylvania.
Of those 7,231 crashes, 173 ended in deaths.
Total heavy truck crashes were up from 6,851 in 2004. Deaths were also up from 161 in 2004.
Defects are a factor in the majority of heavy truck accidents. Some of these defects include:

Tire or Wheel-Related: 97 crashes
Brake-Related: 90 crashes
Unsecure/Trailer Overload: 80 crashes
Power Train Failure: 26 crashes