California has more than 14.7 million registered trucks, including commercial tractor-trailers, semis, and other heavy-duty vehicles. Large commercial trucks travel 2,456 miles of interstate roadways daily.
When these trucks mingle with other vehicles on the road, they can cause major problems. San Luis Obispo truck accidents also happen fairly frequently. To illustrate the scope of the problem, we’ve compiled some truck accident statistics for California and San Luis Obispo County below.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, get an experienced California truck accident lawyer. Call Ernst Law Group today if you have been injured and want to know more about your legal right to pursue damages. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation by calling (805) 541-0300 or contacting us online today.
California state truck accident statistics
Commercial truck accidents across California continue to be a serious issue. In fact, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) A&I Crash Statistics, there were 13,069 collisions involving fatal and nonfatal injuries.
There were 350 fatal commercial truck accidents and 12,719 non-fatal injuries. Truck accident fatalities began to increase in 2021 post-Covid. That year, there were 447 fatalities for 310,823 miles. This is a fatality rate of 0.14%. These rates declined the following year when there were 489 fatal truck accidents and 14,282 non-fatal crashes. According to the FMCSA, there were 650 truck accident investigations in California in 2022.
As of May 2024, California has had 2,839 total commercial truck accidents, including 2,819 non-fatal injuries and 20 fatalities.
Truck accident statistics for southern California
Southern California truck accident statistics are hard to come by. While there is no database describing the number of collisions and fatalities involving commercial trucks for the southernmost region of the state, the California Office of Traffic Safety keeps a detailed list of the number of collisions that occur annually for every city and county.
Los Angeles County, which makes up a sizable portion of Southern California with 9,834,503 residents, reported a substantial number of injuries and deaths in 2021. Some of the most notable stats include:
- 6,866 alcohol-involved accidents
- 59,603 injuries and deaths
- 3,590 accidents involving intoxicated drivers between the ages of 21 and 34
- 4,079 pedestrian accidents
- 2,812 motorcycle wrecks
- 1,877 collisions involving bicyclists
- 12,660 speeding-related accidents
- 7,354 hit and runs
- 7,500 accidents occurring between 9 PM-2:59 AM
Truck accident statistics for San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County is home to 279,751 residents. The most recently available motor vehicle accident statistics from the California Office of Traffic Safety are from 2021 and contain some interesting insights regarding the number of collisions and their causes across San Luis Obispo County, California.
There were 295 collisions involving speeding and 226 wrecks involving alcohol. The county saw over 1,450 total fatalities and injuries that year. 150 of these accidents occurred during nighttime hours, between 9 PM and 2:59 AM. There were 79 hit-and-run accidents, 89 bicycle accidents, 72 pedestrian accidents, and 112 motorcycle accidents.
The state may not provide accurate statistics regarding the number of commercial truck accidents across San Luis Obispo County, regions, or cities. However, looking into the motor vehicle wreck data as a whole can give us insight into where the state may be lacking in terms of sufficient safety precautions and rules or regulations.
Fight for your right to compensation with a California truck accident attorney
The high volume of heavy trucks on our freeways puts people on the road in grave danger daily. While truck accidents may seem relatively rare, they can have life-changing consequences.
If you have been hurt in a truck accident in or near San Luis Obispo County, work with experienced attorneys to claim all your losses. An insurance settlement from the carrier company can help you repay medical bills, replace your lost wages, and compensate you for your pain and suffering.
Find out more about your legal rights and the strategies you could use during a free, no-obligation consultation with Ernst Law Group. Call (805) 541-0300 or contact us online to schedule your free appointment.
