NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data, Large Trucks

Commercial trucks are a staple of the American transportation system. There's no doubt that without the massive amounts of cargo transported by commercial truckers on a daily basis, much of the American economy could not exist as we know it today. However, because large trucks constitute such an enormous part of America's transportation system, often times truckers can be put under undue strain in order to meet deadlines. This pressure can lead truckers to push themselves beyond the limits of what can safely be expected of even the most experienced commercial driver. This can cause huge problems and present very serious dangers both for the drivers themselves and others out on Texas highways. As one would expect, semi truck accidents/18 wheeler accidents can occur anywhere, including the busy highways that pass through Texas' urban centers such as Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.

According to NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Large Trucks, published in June 2026:

• An estimated 548,521 large trucks were involved in police-reported crashes; 5,218 were involved in fatal crashes.
• Those crashes killed 5,340 people and injured an estimated 161,201.
• "Large trucks" includes commercial and noncommercial trucks over 10,000 pounds GVWR, excluding buses and motor homes.

These are nationwide figures, not San Antonio statistics.

• Large trucks represented 5 percent of registered vehicles and 10 percent of vehicle miles traveled.
• They accounted for 9 percent of vehicles in fatal crashes and 5 percent in injury and property-damage-only crashes.
• In two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a large truck and a different vehicle type, both were traveling straight in 42.4 percent.
• The other vehicle was turning left in 8.9 percent; both were negotiating curves in 8.6 percent; the truck was stopped in the road in 6.3 percent.

Fatal large-truck crashes occurred predominantly in rural areas (56%), during daytime (62%), and on weekdays (76%). Among weekday crashes, 70 percent occurred during daytime; among weekend crashes, 64 percent occurred at night. Other-vehicle occupants accounted for 70 percent of deaths and 72 percent of injuries.

With the prevalence of these devastating accidents out on the road, accident and injury attorneys are often required to ensure that victims of accidents receive proper compensation.

If the NHTSA traffic safety facts 2024 data on large trucks and auto accidents have anything to tell us, it's that large truck accidents are extremely common. So if you or someone you know has been injured in a commercial truck accident, after addressing any immediate medical needs, consult a knowledgeable accident and injury attorney to see if you're entitled to compensation.

At Carabin Shaw, our friendly staff is comprised of experienced accident and injury lawyers ready to help with your case. Carabin Shaw has maintained a reputation as the leading group of San Antonio trucking accident attorneys serving San Antonio and the surrounding areas for over 34 years. As a result, our lawyers are prepped and ready to help you with your accident and injury case, no matter the circumstances. So don't wait, call us today!