Accidents With Semi-Trucks: How Common Are They in Michigan?

Wrecks involving commercial trucks are a deadly and tragic reality for American motorists. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a total of 4,714 people died in these sorts of wrecks on America’s roads in 2021. Every month, approximately 400 people lost their lives in a crash involving at least one truck or other commercial vehicle throughout 2021.

Not every state experiences these accidents with the same frequency. Some states see many truck crashes each year, while others see very few. If you live in Michigan, you may wonder how safe the state’s roadways are.

Commercial Truck Wrecks in Michigan by the Numbers

The Michigan Department of Transportation provides three different metrics for those seeking to understand how many truck, or Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV), crashes happen in a given year. These three metrics are as follows:

• CMV Involved Crashes
• CMV Involved Fatal Crashes
• CMV Involved Fatalities

The state’s Department of Transportation provides a report with data representing a year to year analysis of 2021 and 2022. The Department’s data shows:

Total Large Truck Crashes and Fatalities in Michigan

In 2022, there were a total of 15,802 accidents in Michigan involving large trucks. This is slightly higher than 2021, when the state saw 14,293 truck accidents. The number of accidents causing fatalities also increased from 2021 to 2022, going up from 93 to 96. The deaths caused from these accidents also rose from 103 to 105.

According to statistics from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, large trucks continue to be the vehicle type most responsible for fatalities. Though the information for 2023 has not yet been released by the Michigan Department of Transportation, this trend is expected to continue into 2023 and 2024.

Making Sense of Michigan’s Statistics

The loss of a life is always concerning. The small changes in these numbers show increasing danger from large trucks to those who use Michigan’s roadways. Drivers should remain alert and exercise caution when driving around these dangerous vehicles. 

For those who spend a significant amount of time on the road, understanding the risks associated with large vehicles is crucial; learn more about how to safeguard yourself from trucking accidents in our detailed guide. If you or a loved one are involved in an injury or fatal truck wreck, speak immediately with a skilled Michigan truck accident lawyer about your right to compensation and the steps you should take to safeguard it.