Ohio Ranks Fifth Out of 50 for the Most Truck Wreck Deaths in United States

More than 200 people died in accidents involving large trucks in Ohio in 2021, recent data shows. This puts the state in fifth place for the most truck wreck fatalities in the United States, topped only by Texas, California, Florida and Georgia.

Ohio’s population, 11.8 million people, makes it the eighth most populous state. Although it has fewer residents than states like New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois, The Buckeye State has a larger truck wreck death count.

Because our law firm, Craig, Kelley & Faultless, represents clients in Ohio, we think it’s important to share relevant information with readers.

Here’s how Ohio compares to the other four states with the most truck wreck fatalities:

1. Texas: 806 deaths, 30.5 million population
2. California: 437 deaths, 39 million population
3. Florida: 373 deaths, 22.6 million population
4. Georgia: 244 deaths, 11 million population
5. Ohio: 220 deaths, 11.8 million population

Commercial vehicle violations on Ohio roads

Beginning on May 13 this year, the Public Utilities Commission Ohio (PUCO) conducted a three-day International Roadcheck to assess the safety of commercial motor vehicles. Though this year’s data is not yet available, the 2023 results revealed some of the risks posed by large trucks in Ohio.

When PUCO and Ohio State Highway Patrol examined roadways last year, they looked specifically at anti-lock braking systems and cargo securement. Anti-lock braking systems, also known as ABS, help the driver “maintain steering control and avoid skidding, jackknifing and trailer swing-out during an emergency braking situation,” according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. These systems are required on semis and other large trucks.

Looking at cargo securement allowed PUCO to identify dangerous loads. If cargo falls onto the roads, all drivers are endangered.

The 2023 inspection revealed that 353 of 987 trucks in Ohio had out-of-service violations, which then removed drivers and vehicles from operation to secure roadway safety. This means that more than one-third of the vehicles examined were unfit to drive. When these safety violations go undetected, fatal wrecks are far more likely.

A decade of data: Understanding the increase

The Institute for Safer Trucking analyzed fatal truck crashes over a decade, beginning in 2012 and ending in 2021. The data showed a 45% increase in Ohio, from 152 to 220 deaths. Within ten years, the number of fatalities rose and fell, sometimes lower than the original 152 and sometimes much higher.

Most noticeable, though, is the spike between 2020 and 2021. I discussed this in a recent blog post examining nationwide trends. In 2020, 150 people died in truck crashes. The following year, 220 died.

This jump can be partially attributed to the social shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic. When online shopping became less of a convenience and more of a necessity, trucks filled highways and interstates. The ones carrying essential goods had to rush to reach their destinations.

More drivers were hired, many of them inexperienced. The country saw more distracted and fatigued driving. And, though the global health emergency has been declared over, the trend established during its three-year stint has stuck.

Resources available to you

This blog is dedicated to sharing useful information regarding commercial motor vehicles, personal injury and trends on America’s roadways. This article is one of several that report truck wreck statistics in Indiana and surrounding states.

In the following days and weeks, we’ll publish articles about the other states in which we practice: Kentucky, Illinois and Iowa. You can also check out my podcast, After the Crash, to hear from industry experts.

If you are the victim of a serious accident involving a semi, bus, truck tractor, or any other commercial motor vehicle, you’ll need experienced personal injury attorneys.
Craig, Kelley & Faultless is a personal injury law firm with lawyers licensed in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. We handle cases against heavy trucks such as semis, dump trucks, wreckers, flatbeds, farm trucks, lumber trucks and other commercial motor carriers. We fight for the victims of truck wrecks against dangerous truckers, trucking companies and their insurance companies.

Contact us at 1-800-746-0226 or through our website.

David W. Craig sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families, written to help people navigate a terrible situation by answering questions that come after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow Indiana law safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.