Do Cars or Trucks Have More Accidents? What the Statistics Say
By Traffic Safety Store | Published: July 29, 2025
When it comes to road safety, a common question arises: do cars or trucks have more accidents? The answer depends on the type of accident, the vehicles involved, and the context in which these incidents occur. By examining recent statistics from authoritative sources, we can uncover key trends and patterns to better understand the risks posed by cars and trucks on U.S. roads. At Traffic Safety Store, we’re committed to promoting road safety through education and high-quality safety products.
Defining the Vehicles: Cars vs. Trucks
For clarity, “cars” refer to passenger vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, minivans, and station wagons, typically weighing around 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. “Trucks” encompass a range of vehicles, from light pickup trucks to large commercial vehicles like semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) often exceeding 10,000 pounds, and some large trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds. This size and weight disparity significantly influences accident outcomes.
Accident Frequency: Cars Dominate the Numbers
In terms of sheer volume, cars are involved in far more accidents than trucks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2022, approximately 5.93 million police-reported motor vehicle crashes occurred in the United States, with passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, and light trucks) accounting for the majority. Specifically, passenger vehicles were involved in 33% of fatal crashes and 43% of crashes involving light trucks (including pickups and SUVs). By contrast, large trucks were involved in only about 9% of fatal crashes.
This disparity is largely due to the prevalence of cars on the road. With over 276 million registered vehicles in 2019, 108 million were cars, while large trucks represented only about 4%. With more cars on the road, it’s unsurprising they account for a higher number of accidents overall.
Severity of Accidents: Trucks Pose Greater Risks
While cars are involved in more accidents, trucks—particularly large trucks—are associated with more severe outcomes. In 2023, 5,375 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, resulting in 5,472 deaths, a 40% increase over the past decade, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Of these fatalities, 70% were occupants of passenger vehicles, 18% were truck occupants, and 12% were non-occupants like pedestrians or cyclists.
Large trucks weigh 20-30 times more than passenger cars, leading to devastating consequences in collisions. For example, “underride” crashes, where a car slides under a truck’s trailer, are particularly deadly. In 2022, 32% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in two-vehicle crashes with large trucks were in vehicles struck head-on, per IIHS data.
Who’s at Fault? Cars Cause More Truck-Related Crashes
Surprisingly, passenger vehicles are often responsible for accidents involving trucks. The FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study found that in two-vehicle collisions, passenger vehicles were at fault in 56% of cases, while trucks were responsible for 44%. A University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) study noted that car drivers were at fault in 70% of fatal car-truck collisions.
Common car driver errors include:
Driving in blind spots, where trucks have limited visibility.
Improper lane changes or merges, misjudging a truck’s speed or braking ability.
Turning in front of trucks, leading to severe T-bone crashes.
Specific Risks: Pickup Trucks vs. Cars
Focusing on pickup trucks, a 2022 study cited by David Aylor Law Offices noted that accidents involving pickups are 2.5 times more likely to result in fatal injuries than those involving cars. Pickup truck occupants also face a higher fatality risk in rollover accidents, with a death rate of about 27%. The rising popularity of taller vehicles like pickups and SUVs has also increased pedestrian fatalities, with IIHS reporting a 45% higher risk for vehicles with hood heights over 40 inches.
Trends Over Time
While overall motor vehicle safety has improved, truck-related fatalities have increased by 52% between 2010 and 2021, per NHTSA data. In contrast, passenger vehicle fatalities saw a slight decrease between 2021 and 2022. This trend highlights the growing impact of trucks on road safety.
Key Causes of Accidents
Both car and truck accidents share common causes, including:
Speeding: A leading factor in 7.3% of deadly truck crashes in 2020.
Distracted driving: Inattention, such as phone use, affects both vehicle types.
Impairment: Less common in truck drivers (4% in 2022) than car drivers (31%).
Fatigue: A unique challenge for truck drivers, mitigated by hours-of-service regulations.
Conclusion: Cars Crash More, Trucks Kill More
Cars are involved in more accidents due to their higher numbers, but trucks, especially large ones, cause more severe crashes. Drivers of both vehicles must prioritize safety: avoid blind spots, maintain safe speeds, and stay attentive. For enhanced road safety, explore our range of traffic signs and safety products at Traffic Safety Store to promote safer roads for everyone.
