According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s latest finalized crash data, there were 6,825 large truck crashes in Wisconsin in 2024. These crashes resulted in 1,480 injuries, including 180 serious injuries, and 66 fatalities. The total number of large truck crashes remained nearly unchanged from 2023, when Wisconsin recorded 6,821 crashes. However, fatalities declined from 70 in 2023 to 66 in 2024, while injuries declined from 1,521 to 1,480.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, especially one that is fatal, you need a Milwaukee truck accident lawyer who will fight for YOU. Warshafsky attorneys build a strong case in court and get you the compensation you deserve. We don’t sign and settle and there’s no fee unless we win. Warshafsky Law is one of the only Wisconsin personal injury law firms with a nationally certified legal investigator on staff to analyze your truck accident scene from all angles.
Large Truck Crashes
in Wisconsin in 2024
People Injured in Large
Truck Crashes in 2024
Large Truck Crash
Fatalities in 2024
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, there were 127,551 total crashes on Wisconsin public roads in 2024. Large trucks were involved in 6,825 crashes, or approximately 5.35% of all reported crashes. That equals nearly 19 large truck crashes per day. Wisconsin recorded 576 total traffic fatalities in 2024, including 66 fatalities from large truck crashes.
| Statistic | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Truck Crashes | 5,921 | 6,772 | 7,058 | 6,821 | 6,825 |
| Large Truck Crash Fatalities | 61 | 89 | 74 | 70 | 66 |
| Large Truck Crash Injuries | 1,287 | 1,544 | 1,617 | 1,521 | 1,480 |
| Serious Injuries | 182 | 199 | 212 | 174 | 180 |
By the Numbers: Trucking Accident Injuries and Fatal CollisionsWisconsin’s large truck crash totals have remained relatively stable over the past three years. WisDOT recorded 7,058 large truck crashes in 2022, 6,821 in 2023 and 6,825 in 2024. Over that same period, large truck crash fatalities declined from 74 in 2022 to 70 in 2023 and 66 in 2024. Reported injuries also declined, from 1,617 in 2022 to 1,480 in 2024.Large Truck Crashes, Fatalities and Injuries in Wisconsin, 2020-2024
According to the DOT, most trucking accidents in Wisconsin occur during the fall season. In Wisconsin, 29% of trucking accidents happened in the fall and 28% of trucking accidents occurred during the summer. Only 20% of trucking accidents occurred during the spring, making spring the month with the least amount of trucking accidents in Wisconsin
Truck crashes in Wisconsin occur on both Interstate and non-Interstate roads and in both urban and rural areas. FMCSA currently provides separate roadway-type and urban-versus-rural reports for large-truck and bus crashes. Because those distributions change over time, current percentages should be tied to a specific reporting year rather than presented as undated statewide figures.
In 2021, 69% of truck accidents occurred during the daytime, while 30% of accidents occurred at night. 84% of truck accidents occurred during a weekday and 16% of truck accidents occurred on the weekend. October was the month with the most trucking accidents, with 14% of accidents occurring. September was 2nd with 12% of truck accidents occurring in the month.
In 2021, 81% of trucking accidents occurred off the interstate with only 19% of crashes taking place on the interstate. 75% of truck crashes happened in a rural setting while 26% occurred in an urban location.
In 2021, of the 98 large truck drivers involved in fatal crashes, only 2% were alcohol-impaired, having a BAC of 0.08 g/dL or higher.
In 2021, 24% of truck drivers involved in fatal Wisconsin crashes had been involved in a previous crash. 18% of the truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had previous speeding convictions. 4% of the truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had previously recorded suspensions or revocations.
When it comes to truck accidents, how does Wisconsin compare to other states? Based on federal data involving large commercial trucks, Wisconsin falls in the middle nationally in terms of accidents, trucks involved, and fatalities. Specifically, Wisconsin ranks 23rd for total crashes involving large trucks, 24th for trucks involved in fatal crashes, and 23rd for the total number of fatalities stemming from truck accidents. This places Wisconsin safely outside the top 20 states for truck crashes. Understanding where Wisconsin stands can shape discussions around improving trucking safety regulations statewide.
Wisconsin contains approximately 1,126 miles of roadway on the National Highway Freight Network (NHFN). This includes 654.42 miles on the Primary Highway Freight System, 256.26 miles of Interstate highways outside the PHFS, 142.96 miles of Critical Rural Freight Corridors and 72.5 miles of Critical Urban Freight Corridors.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, in Wisconsin, the Primary Highway Freight System is 654.42 miles compared to 256.27 miles of non-PHFS interstate. Wisconsin has 1.57% of the total roads considered PHFS in the US.
The nationwide Primary Highway Freight System consists of approximately 41,798.85 centerline miles.
State |
PHFS (miles) |
Non-PHFS interstate (miles) |
Percent of PHFS in State Total PHFS |
|---|---|---|---|
Wisconsin |
654.42 |
256.27 |
1.57% |
The National Highway Freight Network consists of four subsystem classifications for critical freight infrastructure. Approximately 654 Primary Highway Freight System (PHFS) miles across Wisconsin form the backbone. PHFS includes the most vital highways for national freight mobility. An additional 256 Other Interstate miles not on the PHFS provide key connections. Beyond highways, Critical Rural and Urban Freight Corridors (CRFCs/CUFCs) represent public roads linking freight hubs and intermodal facilities to the PHFS and Interstate network. These four subsystems span roughly 50,000 miles nationally, with Wisconsin containing over 900 total NHFN miles. Understanding the freight system makeup spotlights the most concentrated freight traffic zones to monitor for safety.
Route No/Facility Name |
Start Point |
End Point |
Route Type |
Length (Miles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
I-43 |
1-90 |
1-894 |
PHFS |
60.63 |
I-43 |
I-41 |
Pioneer Rd |
PHFS |
23.02 |
I-90 |
I-94 |
I-39 |
PHFS |
63.2 |
I-39 |
I-90 |
IL/WI Line |
PHFS |
78.7 |
I-94 |
I-43 |
I-90 |
PHFS |
103.04 |
I-94 |
I-90 |
WI/MN Line |
PHFS |
148.36 |
S 43rd St |
S59 |
Oklahoma Ave |
PHFS |
2.25 |
S172 |
I-41 |
Webster Ave |
PHFS |
2.87 |
S441 |
U41 |
Racine ST |
PHFS |
1.37 |
S175/Brewers Blvd |
S59 |
I-94 |
PHFS |
0.87 |
U14 |
S Gammon Rd |
U151 |
PHFS |
3.2 |
U151 |
U14 |
U18 |
PHFS |
2.72 |
U18 |
U151 |
I-90 |
PHFS |
6.12 |
I-41 |
IL/WI Line |
I-43 |
PHFS |
142.11 |
WI10P – Port of Milwaukee #3 |
I-94 |
Port of Milwaukee #3 |
PHFS |
1.42 |
WI11P – Port of Green Bay #1 |
WI12P |
Port of Green Bay #1 |
PHFS |
1.42 |
WI12P – Port of Green Bay #2 |
WI3P |
Port of Green Bay #2 |
PHFS |
2.21 |
WI3P – Port of Green Bay #3 |
S172 |
Port of Green Bay #3 |
PHFS |
4.32 |
WI3A – General Mitchell Airport, Milwaukee |
I-94 |
General Mitchell Airport, Milwaukee |
PHFS |
2.92 |
WI8P – Port of Milwaukee #1 |
WI10P |
Port of Milwaukee #1 |
PHFS |
2.61 |
WI9P – Port of Milwaukee #2 |
WI10P |
Port of Milwaukee #2 |
PHFS |
1.03 |
I-39 |
I-90 |
S29 |
PHFS |
103.47 |
According to a study featured in Reuters Health, findings revealed that 30% of truck drivers acknowledged using amphetamines while on duty, with 20% admitting to marijuana use and 3% to cocaine consumption. These substances not only artificially maintain drivers’ alertness but also lead them to engage in riskier behaviors such as increased speed, hazardous lane changes, and daring maneuvers in adverse weather conditions. As the effects of these stimulants start to subside, there is a heightened likelihood of drivers experiencing drowsiness and potentially falling asleep while operating their vehicles
Wisconsin’s modified comparative fault rule operates as follows: When a plaintiff shares some degree of responsibility for an accident, their compensation would be proportionally diminished by the extent of their fault. However, in Wisconsin, if the plaintiff is found to be 51% or more responsible for the accident, they are ineligible to recover any damages. This means that even if the accident primarily resulted from the actions of the truck or its driver if it can be established that you had the opportunity to prevent the accident but failed to do so—due to behaviors like tailgating, unsafe lane changes, or other actions that could have contributed to or averted the accident—your compensation would be adjusted according to the percentage of fault attributed to you.
Our Milwaukee Truck Accident Lawyers are your biggest advocates and fight for your rights. We are not afraid to take your case to trial when necessary, and we approach every legal battle with an aggressive and determined mindset. Rest assured that we will vigorously pursue the compensation you deserve, leaving no stone unturned in seeking justice on your behalf. When you choose Warshafsky Law Firm, you have a team of dedicated professionals committed to your cause, ready to take assertive action to secure your best interests.
