Transportation companies with the highest accident rates

Celeste Polidori
September 20, 2024

Of the annual reported accidents, approximately 6.5% involve trucks.

Road transport companies play a crucial role in the economy and must comply with regulations that protect truck drivers. Of the annual reported accidents, approximately 6.5% involve trucks. While many companies prioritize safety, factors such as the number of drivers, working hours, and congestion contribute to high accident rates, which can cause serious injuries to both truck drivers and other motorists.

According to 2022 truck accident statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Electronic Safety and Fitness Analysis System (SAFER), it is possible to identify which companies have dangerous histories. Based on this information, a list is compiled of the riskiest road transport companies for truck drivers.

Transport companies with high accident rates

FedEx

FedEx is one of the largest companies, with over 160,000 drivers and 100,000 vehicles. It presents serious safety issues, making it one of the most dangerous road transport companies. Between mid-2020 and mid-2022, over 1,160 accidents were reported, including 109 fatalities, of which 80 occurred with FedEx Ground. Additionally, there were 911 accidents with injuries during this period.

UPS

With 134,000 vehicles and 127,000 drivers, UPS is the largest road transport company in the United States. However, according to FMCSA data, between April 2020 and April 2022, the company recorded over 1,082 accidents, of which 74 were fatal and 1,053 resulted in injuries. Its injury accident rate is 0.158.

U.S. Xpress

This Tennessee-based trucking company operates a fleet of 7,000 trucks, including 2,000 managed by independent contractors. Despite the medium size of this fleet, U.S. Xpress recorded 20 fatal accidents between 2020 and 2022, reporting an injury rate of 0.173.

XPO Logistics Freight

With over 11,000 drivers, XPO Logistics faces a higher-than-average out-of-service (OOS) flagging rate in hazardous materials transport. This company has been involved in 21 fatal accidents and 181 accidents with injuries, with an injury rate of 0.015.

J.B. Hunt Transport

J.B. Hunt Transport has 25,700 drivers and 22,500 vehicles. According to FMCSA data, between 2020 and 2022, the company was involved in 543 accidents, of which 50 were fatal. This results in an accident and injury rate of 0.184, indicating the need for improved safety protocols for drivers and the public.

One of the main reasons for truck drivers and transport companies to follow safety regulations is that the size and weight of trucks increase the risk of accidents. These vehicles are harder to stop and, if involved in an accident, are much more dangerous. Additionally, since larger companies have more trucks and drivers, it is logical that they record a higher number of collisions.

Road safety must be a priority for transport companies. It is essential to establish emergency protocols and provide ongoing training and education for all drivers. Currently, telematics is an effective tool for preventing reckless driving. Moreover, it is crucial to work on managing truck driver detentions, as this issue can lead to speeding. The lives of truck drivers are valuable and must be treated with seriousness.