According to the American Trucking Association, the trucking industry moves about 72% of the nation’s freight by weight. The problem that arises with so much truck traffic, however, is that some companies end up with worse safety records than others.
Below is a list of trucking companies that experience the most accidents, from highest to lowest. Note that these statistics come directly from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data over a 24-month period prior to February 2025.
Each crash falls into one of three categories:
- Fatal crashes that show someone died
- Injury crashes where someone was hurt but survived
- Tow-away crashes where vehicles were damaged enough to need towing
With that in mind, the trucking companies with the worst accident rates, ranked by their total crashes, are as follows:
United Parcel Service (UPS)
UPS is the largest package delivery company in the world.
Its crash numbers, unfortunately, show the consequences of such a massive presence:
- 68 fatal crashes
- 847 injury crashes
- 1,545 tow-away crashes
- 2,460 total crashes
These numbers make UPS the company with the most truck crashes overall. However, with over 100,000 vehicles on the road, its per-truck accident rate isn’t as high as some smaller companies.
J.B. Hunt Transport
J.B. Hunt operates across all 48 continental states and has registered the following:
- 51 fatal crashes
- 519 injury crashes
- 1,049 tow-away crashes
- 1,619 total crashes
These numbers stand out, particularly for their high ratio of tow-away crashes to injuries. They suggest that many of J.B. Hunt’s accidents happen at lower speeds or in situations where vehicle damage is more common than bodily injury.
FedEx Express
The air and ground division of FedEx shows these concerning numbers:
- 27 fatal crashes
- 458 injury crashes
- 809 tow-away crashes
- 1,294 total crashes
Though FedEx Express has seen fewer total crashes than UPS, its ratio of fatal to non-fatal crashes is actually higher.
Werner Enterprises
Werner is a major player in long-haul trucking, which means its trucks spend more time on highways at high speeds.
As such, its numbers are concerning as well:
- 22 fatal crashes
- 239 injury crashes
- 557 tow-away crashes
- 818 total crashes
These fatal crash numbers are lower than some competitors but are still troubling, given the company’s focus on highway driving.
Schneider National Carriers
Schneider is known for its bright orange trucks.
It has a mixed safety record, which provides the following numbers:
- 12 fatal crashes
- 226 injury crashes
- 453 tow-away crashes
- 691 total crashes
Schneider’s ratio of injury crashes to fatal crashes is better than many competitors, suggesting its safety training may be more effective overall.
Estes Express Lines
Estes is a major less-than-truckload carrier. It shows significant crash numbers, namely:
- 12 fatal crashes
- 165 injury crashes
- 377 tow-away crashes
- 554 total crashes
These statistics reflect Estes’ focus on urban and suburban delivery routes, with a higher proportion of low-speed accidents resulting in vehicle damage rather than serious injuries.
US Xpress
As a smaller but nevertheless significant carrier, US Xpress reports these crash statistics:
- 14 fatal crashes
- 157 injury crashes
- 338 tow-away crashes
- 509 total crashes
The company’s relatively high fatal crash count compared to its total crashes is concerning and suggests a higher rate of severe accidents relative to its fleet size.
Averitt Express
Lastly, Averitt has lower total numbers, but its per-mile accident rate tells a different story:
- 9 fatal crashes
- 95 injury crashes
- 214 tow-away crashes
- 318 total crashes
Despite showing the lowest total crashes among these carriers, Averitt’s fatal crash rate per million miles (0.022) is actually the highest of any company listed.
Protecting Yourself On the Road
The best thing to do when sharing the road with trucks is to mind your following distance, stay in their drivers’ lines of sight, avoid sudden lane changes, and be patient with both you and their speeds. These tips do not guarantee an accident-free experience, but they can help keep you safe regardless.
Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers in Savannah for Help Today
For more information, please contact our experienced Savannah personal injury lawyer at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have a convenient location in Savannah, GA.
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