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UPS and FedEx consistently rank at the top for the largest number of semi-truck accidents each year, according to figures from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. As two of the largest trucking companies in the country, it’s not surprising that they have the highest rates of collisions, simply because these two carriers have the most trucks on the road.
There are approximately three million registered commercial trucks in the U.S., traveling over 302 billion miles each year on our highways and city streets. Unfortunately, some shipping companies prioritize profitability over safety, setting grueling travel schedules for their drivers and failing to make repairs to their fleet vehicles. If you are involved in a collision with a commercial driver, working with an experienced Florida truck accident lawyer makes the difference in the outcome of your claim.
Recognizing which carriers have higher instances of collisions can help you drive defensively when you encounter one on the road.
Federal regulations for the trucking industry
The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the commercial trucking industry, setting specific requirements for the number of hours drivers are permitted to operate the vehicle each day and in a 7-8 day period. Additionally, the FMCSA sets mandatory rest times and requires all commercial semi-truck drivers to keep a log of their operating hours, rest times, and other safety-related information.
The FMCSA also regulates operations for trucking companies, including the supervision and proper vetting of their drivers, as well as safety measures and standards for maintaining their fleet.
These standards are set for the safety of the drivers and others on the road. Many accidents happen because the driver, the trucking company, or both, failed to adhere to federal regulations.
Trucking companies with the highest number of accidents each year
Not only does the FMCSA set regulations for commercial drivers, it also gathers data on commercial carriers, including registered vehicles, safety violations, and the number of reported accidents each year.
You can find information on all the major trucking companies in the country on the FMCSA’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system, which provides a current snapshot of trucking company safety statistics listed by registered company and number of truck drivers’ accidents in the United States.
Below, we’ve gathered some more detailed information about major carriers you’ll see on Florida highways to give you an idea of how many tractor-trailer collisions there are in a typical year.
FedEx Ground
FedEx Ground operates a fleet of approximately 102,000 vehicles, employing around 125,000 drivers.
In the most recent year data was available, the company had:
- Total Accidents: 2,781
- Total Unsafe Driving Violations: 3,850
FedEx Freight
FedEx Freight is the division of Federal Express that handles larger parcels, weighing over 150 pounds. It has almost 19,000 vehicles in its fleet, and a little over 23,000 drivers.
In a recent year, FedEx Freight had:
- Total Accidents: 843
- Total Unsafe Driving Violations: 577
FedEx Express
FedEx Express, as the name suggests, is used for fast, time-sensitive shipping of packages and freight. This division has over 35,000 vehicles and a little over 42,200 drivers.
In a recent year, there were:
- Total Accidents: 380
- Total Unsafe Driving Violations: 203
United Parcel Service (UPS)
UPS is considered the largest trucking company in the U.S. by fleet size, operating over 134,000 vehicles nationwide.
In a recent year, there were:
- Total Accidents: 2,845
- Total Unsafe Driving Violations: 2,682
J B Hunt Transport
J B Hunt is a multimodal carrier, combining road and rail shipping. It has a fleet of approximately 24,000 vehicles and 27,000 drivers.
- Total Accidents: 1,858
- Total Unsafe Driving Violations: 3,007
Knight-Swift Transportation
Knight Transportation is a diversified carrier with dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, and specialized vehicles. It has 3,200 fleet vehicles and 3,200 drivers.
- Total Accidents: 229
- Total Unsafe Driving Violations: 442
Landstar System/ Landstar Ranger Inc.
Landstar System is a third-party logistics shipping company that primarily contracts its drivers. There are nearly 6,900 vehicles associated with Landstar, and over 7,000 drivers.
- Total Accidents: 430
- Total Unsafe Driving Violations: 1,012
Werner Logistics/ Werner Enterprises Inc.
Werner Logistics is primarily a freight shipping company, with 9,000 vehicles and around 10,500 drivers.
- Total Accidents: 912
- Total Unsafe Driving Violations: 1,590
Schneider National Carriers
Schneider National Carriers employs both regional parcel delivery drivers and long-haul freight truckers. There are approximately 10,600 vehicles in its fleet and 12.500 drivers.
- Total Accidents: 818
- Total Unsafe Driving Violations: 1,786
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
One of the oldest freight carriers in the country, Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. has nearly 11,000 fleet vehicles and 13,000 drivers.
Total Accidents: 738
Total Unsafe Driving Violations: 609
What to do if you’re hit by a commercial truck
If you’ve been injured in a collision with a commercial truck, especially one operated by a major carrier like UPS or FedEx, you’re not alone. These companies log millions of miles each year, and unfortunately, their sheer presence on the road increases the risk of accidents. While federal regulations exist to keep everyone safe, violations still happen, and drivers or companies who cut corners can be held accountable.
Have you been involved in a truck accident with a major carrier? Contact Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath today at (561) 655-1990 for a free consultation.