What Is The Most Accident Prone Truck?

Posted October 7, 2024 | Personal Injury Blog

Truck accidents happen frequently on US roads. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large trucks are the most accident-prone. In 2022, they were involved in 71 percent of fatal truck accidents, compared with medium trucks, which were involved in 29 percent.

Large trucks include semi-trucks (tractor-trailers), 18-wheelers, dump trucks, and large delivery trucks. However, there are plenty of other trucks on the road, including light trucks like pickups and SUVs that many of us own. Which one takes the title for the most accident-prone light truck?

Join us as we explore the answer and discover what you should do if you have been injured in any kind of truck accident.

Most Accident-Prone Large Trucks

To discover which type of large truck is the most accident-prone, we need to dig a little deeper into the detailed data provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

In its 2021 annual report, the FMCSA revealed that tractor/semi-trailer trucks were involved in 54.2 percent of all fatal large truck crashes, making them the most hazardous configurations on US roads. The next-most accident-prone was the single-unit/2 axles configuration with 25.2 percent.

Tractor/semi-trailer trucks were also involved in 48.2 percent of all injury crashes in the same year. It is clear that all drivers need to take extra care when driving close to these large vehicles. 

Large trucks can cause accidents in several ways, including:

• Rollovers
• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• T-bone accidents

Immediately after receiving medical treatment after a large truck accident, get on the phone with a truck accident lawyer. The sooner your attorney can start investigating your accident, the sooner you can get justice.

Most Accident-Prone Light Trucks

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) compiles detailed statistics about the safety of passenger vehicles. It ranks vehicles based on driver death rates and other-driver death rates. Other driver death rate refers to the death rate among drivers of other vehicles involved in accidents with these cars.

All data in the following categories is based on 2020 and equivalent model-year vehicles. Rankings are based on the driver death rate.

Large pickups

The estimated average driver death rate for all large pickups was 31, and the other driver death rate was 61.

Here is how the vehicles ranked in this category, starting with the most deadly:

1. Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab short bed 4WD:

• Driver death rate – 51
• Other driver death rate – 83

2. Ram 1500 Crew Cab short bed 4WD:

• Driver death rate – 35
• Other driver death rate – 54

3. Toyota Tundra Crew Max 4WD:

• Driver death rate – 34
• Other driver death rate – 50

4. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 2WD:

• Driver death rate – 33
• Other driver death rate – 35

5. Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4WD:

• Driver death rate – 31
• Other driver death rate – 73

According to Edmunds, the new Ram 1500 was the 6th most-sold vehicle in the United States in 2023. However, 3 of the 2020 Ram 1500 models feature in the top 5 most deadly pickups list. If you get into an accident with one, seek the assistance of a qualified auto accident attorney to fight for your rights.

Large SUVs

SUVs are among the most popular cars on US roads. The average weight of a large SUV is between 5,400 and 6,000 pounds, meaning they pack a mean punch if you get into an accident with them. When comparing the figures below, bear in mind that the estimated average driver death rate was 20 in this category, and the other driver death rate was 54.

Here are the most deadly large SUVs according to the IIHS: 

1. Dodge Durango 2WD:

• Driver death rate – 40
• Other driver death rate – 88

2. Dodge Durango 4WD:

• Driver death rate – 24
• Other driver death rate – 63

3. GMC Yukon 2WD:

• Driver death rate – 24
• Other driver death rate – 58

4. GMC Yukon 4WD:

• Driver death rate – 22
• Other driver death rate – 50

5. Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD:

• Driver death rate – 16
• Other driver death rate – 42

It may be worth noting that the 2020 Dodge Durango has an above-average gross weight for its class, weighing in at 6,500 pounds. It is clearly capable of causing serious damage when things go wrong on the road. 

Talk to an experienced truck accident lawyer if you have been the victim of negligent driving by the owner of a large SUV.

Mid-size SUVs

Mid-size SUVs are popular with families and people who appreciate the extra space they provide. Sadly, some models have been involved in many fatal accidents. 

Here are the top 5 most deadly mid-size SUVs:

1. Dodge Journey 2WD:

• Driver death rate – 62
• Other driver death rate – 90

2. Jeep Cherokee 2WD:

• Driver death rate – 55
• Other driver death rate – 59

3. Jeep Wrangler 2-door 4WD:

• Driver death rate – 54
• Other driver death rate – 89

4. Ford Edge 2WD:

• Driver death rate – 49
• Other driver death rate – 33

5. Jeep Grand Cherokee 2WD:

• Driver death rate – 40
• Other driver death rate – 103

 

What to Do After a Truck Accident

Truck accidents are always scary and can cause catastrophic injuries and death. While you focus on your recovery both physically and psychologically, you need to entrust your fight for justice to the right truck accident lawyer. An experienced attorney who has fought and won truck accident cases and can give you the best chance of financial recovery.

A truck accident lawyer can do the following:

• Investigate your case
• Build a strong case for liability
• Calculate a fair compensation package
• Battle insurance companies on your behalf
• Go to trial, if needed, to pursue damages

While this sounds great, not all truck accident lawyers have the same experience and skills. Be sure to choose one with the resources to fight tenaciously for what you deserve.

You Are in Safe Hands With Fielding Law

If you have been injured by an accident-prone semi-truck, pickup, or SUV, you need a safe and reliable law firm to guide you through the legal maze of filing a truck accident claim. The truck accident attorneys at Fielding Law have the skills and experience you need to see your case through to its conclusion.

Over the years, we have handled over 3,500 cases, securing more than $100 million in compensation for our clients. This includes many semi-truck, work vehicle, and commercial vehicle accidents. In one notable disputed liability semi-truck accident case, we secured a $505,000 settlement for our client.

Are you ready to discover what Fielding Law truck accident attorneys could do for you? Schedule a free case evaluation by calling (877) 880-4090 or filling out our contact form today.