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There are five million truck and bus drivers sharing the road with more than 250 million motorists nationwide.
As of 2023, Texas holds the unfortunate record for the highest number of truck accidents in the United States, tallying 12,542 accidents. Surpassing its closest competitor, California, by 137%, Texas exhibits a significantly higher rate. Moreover, Texas’s accident rate is 31.5 times that of South Dakota, the state with the fewest truck accidents annually.
While the severity of these reportable crashes varies, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Safety Measurement System (SMS) tracks all commercial vehicles through a performance data system that assesses motor carriers’ safety.
The SMS evaluates safety by considering:
- All safety-based roadside inspection violations.
- State-reported crashes.
- 24 months of performance data.
Considering these datasets, some of the nation’s major trucking companies rank among the most dangerous in the United States.
Which Trucking Companies Contribute to the Most Collisions?
The leading truck accident, injury, and fatality statistics in the U.S. often coincide with the company’s number of trucks on the road.
The largest trucking companies in the U.S. by tractor trailers include:
- UPS Inc.: 120,000
- FedEx: 113,000
- XPO Logistics: 25,000
- JB Hunt Transport: 33,510
- Schneider National: 37,850
- OLD Dominion Freight Line: 35,720
- YRC Worldwide: 45,000
- Werner Enterprises: 23,000
- Landstar: 16,743
- Averitt Express: 15,000
- Knight-Swift: 9,530
In the U.S., the following trucking companies, in order, have the most accidents:
- FedEx
- UPS
- Swift Transportation, Inc.
- Werner Enterprises
- Averitt
- XPO Logistics Freight
- Estes Express Lines
- Schneider National Carriers
- JB Hunt Transportation
- FedEx
Federal Express (FedEx) has several divisions, including FedEx Freight and FedEx Ground. Together, these entities employ tens of thousands of drivers and have been involved in over a thousand accidents in recent years.
- UPS
The United Parcel Service (UPS) employs over 127,000 drivers. Their fleet has recorded more than 2,800 crashes in recent years, resulting in over 1,000 injuries and 70 fatalities.
- Swift Transportation Co.
According to its website, Swift is “America’s Largest Full Truckload Carrier,” and employs over 15,000 drivers. Recent data shows their vehicles were involved in over 1,000 accidents, resulting in about 300 injuries and 30 deaths. Last year, Swift acquired U.S. Xpress Inc., a fleet of over 5,000 trucks whose drivers recorded nearly 600 collisions in two years, resulting in 180 injuries and 20 deaths.
- Werner Enterprises
Warner is a transportation and logistics company that employs about 10,500 drivers. They have recorded over 900 collisions in just two years.
- Averitt Express
Averitt Express employs 5,200 drivers and operates about the same number of vehicles. Though it only employs half as many drivers, Averitt was involved in the same number of fatal crashes as Werner Enterprise. From June 2020 to June 2022, Averitt was involved in 16 fatal crashes and 118 injury-causing crashes.
- XPO Logistics Freight
XPO Logistics employs 11,000 drivers with a fleet of 8,500 vehicles. XPO Logistics outpaces the national average when it comes to hazmat-related OOS violations. From June 2020 to June 2022, XPO Logistics was involved in 21 fatal crashes and 181 injury-causing crashes.
- Estes Express Lines
Estes Express Lines employs an estimated 8,000 drivers with a fleet of 7,300 vehicles. Over the last two years, Estes Express Lines was involved in 15 fatal crashes and 163 injury-causing crashes.
- Schneider National Carriers
Schneider National Carriers employs about 12,500 drivers and operates a fleet of 10,600 vehicles. From June 2020 to June 2022, Schneider vehicles were involved in 20 fatal crashes and 233 injury-causing crashes.
- JB Hunt Transportation
JB Hunt Transportation employs 25,700 drivers and runs a fleet of 22,500 vehicles. JB Hunt is among the largest carriers on this list, employing similar numbers to FedEx Freight and Swift Transportation. From June 2020 to June 2022, JB Hunt Transportation was involved in 50 fatal crashes and 543 injury-causing crashes.
How To Check a Trucking Company’s Safety Information
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the U.S. trucking industry and offers a search tool called the Company Snapshot as part of the Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System.
The SAFER System allows the public to check a trucking company’s safety record, and more.
Contact Our 18-Wheeler Accident and Injury Attorney Today
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an 18-wheeler accident caused by negligence in Texas, call our skilled accident and personal injury attorneys at (512) 883-0277 or contact us online today. We pursue dedicated, driven results for our clients, and there is never a charge to talk to an attorney. We stand ready to help you.
