As of early 2025, there are approximately 13.5 million registered large (commercial) trucks in the United States—this includes about 2.97 million tractor-trailers (semi-trucks) and 10.5 million single-unit trucks TruckInfo. This figure pertains to trucks with a gross vehicle weight over 10,000 pounds and excludes lighter vehicles like standard pickups.
Despite large trucks accounting for only a small fraction of all registered vehicles, they carry a significant share of freight and bear an outsized impact in crashes. In 2023, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported:
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Around 168,731 accidents involving large (commercial) trucks
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Approximately 4,970 fatalities
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Roughly 71,272 injuries from those crashes
When focusing solely on fatalities involving large trucks, data from NHTSA shows that in 2022, such crashes resulted in 5,936 deaths, marking a 2% increase from 2021.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
While truck collisions are not the most common traffic accidents, the injuries they cause are among the most severe. For example:
- Respiratory injuries. When a driver or passenger comes into contact with the steering wheel or dashboard of the vehicle, lungs can collapse from the impact. Breathing problems can also result from inhaling toxic vapors if a truck is carrying liquid or gas cargo that leaks after the collision.
- Burns. As well as being a source of toxic fumes, the cargo carried by tanker trucks is sometimes combustible, so a fire might result from a collision and burn the accident victims badly. Serious burns can require hospitalization, antibiotics, pain medication, and skin graft surgery—followed by a long, painful recovery and possible scarring and disfigurement.
- Broken bones. Fractured and broken bones are extremely common in truck crashes due to the impact of the collision. Breaks can range from minor fractures in hands and fingers to ribs and pelvises broken by tightening seat belts and shoulder harnesses. Some breaks might be simple and easy to set, but often bones are crushed and require expensive and difficult reconstructive surgery.
- Amputations. Limbs that are badly broken or crushed can sustain permanent nerve damage or become infected. If a limb is too severely damaged to be saved, it might have to be amputated. You could lose an arm, leg, hand, foot, finger, or toe and need a prosthesis and physical therapy. Amputation can be not only physically challenging but emotionally difficult.
- Spinal cord injuries. Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or total paralysis. The victim might require lifelong care and never be able to work again. The costs of medical treatment and long-term care for a victim of a spinal cord injury can be astronomical.
- Brain injuries. If the head suffers impact with a hard part of the car interior or if broken glass or flying objects inside the car puncture the brain, a life-changing traumatic brain injury can occur. Again, the result could be the inability to work and the need for lifelong care with unimaginable costs.
- Psychological trauma. Adjusting to amputations or just the experience of being in a horrific truck accident can leave victims with emotional issues like flashbacks, PTSD, and fear of driving again. Counseling or therapy might be necessary.
- Death. Unfortunately, victims of truck accidents often lose their lives. If you’ve lost a loved one in a truck accident, your attorney can help you to file a wrongful death claim against any and all negligent parties.
Protecting Your Right to Compensation After a Truck Accident
The cost of medical treatment for truck crash injuries, as well as lost wages from time off work, can be many times more than the costs associated with car accidents. You might also have claims against multiple defendants for your medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering:
- Truck driver
- Truck owner
- Trucking company
- Vehicle or parts manufacture
- Cargo loading personnel
Because the awards sought and won by experienced truck accident attorneys are often significantly larger than car accident awards, the defendants’ insurance companies are going to fight as hard as they can to dispute your claim, devalue the worth of your pain and suffering, and offer you a low settlement. If you’re trying to recover from severe injuries, it’s nearly impossible for you to fight multiple defendants’ insurance companies on your own. The services of an experienced truck accident lawyer are vital to your case.
Have You Been Injured in a Truck Accident in South Dakota?
The first step toward getting fair compensation is to consult an experienced truck accident attorney. Contact us online or call us at 605-644-5003 to schedule a free consultation.
