Truck Accident Statistics in Cincinnati

November 13, 2024 | By Colombo Law

Have you been injured in a truck accident in Cincinnati? You are not alone. Every year, hundreds of people are injured in collisions with commercial vehicles. At Colombo Law, we are committed to pursuing maximum compensation for the victims of these crashes.

HURT BY A TRUCK?™ Contact the Cincinnati truck accident attorneys at Colombo Law by calling 513-599-8841 today. Your initial case evaluation is FREE, and we don’t get paid unless your case succeeds.

Accidents involving commercial trucks are unique in their seriousness and complexity. Up-to-date statistics are crucial for understanding the factors that lead to these crashes, the severity of injuries, the rate of fatalities, and how to reduce the incidence of truck accidents.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s OSTATS Crash Dashboard is a helpful resource for truck accident statistics. For example, we see that Cincinnati and Hamilton County as a whole have led the state in commercial vehicle accidents for the last 5 years.

How Many Truck Accidents in Cincinnati?

Data from the OSTATS Crash Dashboard show that there were a total of 8,453 truck accidents in Hamilton County between the years 2019 and 2023. The total number of crashes for each year are:

• 2023: 1,727
• 2022: 1,643
• 2021: 1,700
• 2020: 1,378
• 2019: 2,005

Fortunately, truck accidents in and around Cincinnati have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, the number of accidents rose sharply in 2021 and hasn’t meaningfully declined since.

Top Crash Routes for Truck Accidents

Unsurprisingly, a significant portion of trucking accidents occur on state and interstate highways. In Hamilton County, the top 10 routes for commercial vehicle crashes are:

1. I-75: 1,709
2. I-71: 710
3. I-275: 633
4. U.S. 42: 265
5. I-74: 203
6. U.S. 22: 182
7. U.S. 50: 125
8. Ohio 264: 122
9. U.S. 27: 119
10. Ohio 4: 109

Interstate 75 is a major trucking route, so it is no surprise that I-75 has more truck accidents—by a wide margin—than any other route in the Cincinnati area. Motorists are advised to exercise caution on highways when traveling around semi-trucks, as the high speeds and large size of big rigs increase the risk of a crash.

Injuries & Deaths in Cincinnati Truck Accidents

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) records injuries, fatalities, and property damage in motor vehicle accidents. Numbers for years 2019–2023 demonstrate the toll of commercial vehicle accidents in Ohio.

Fatal Crashes

OSHP data measures the number of accidents resulting in fatalities, rather than the number of people killed. Unfortunately, the number of fatal truck accidents in Hamilton County has remained steady:

• 2023: 6
• 2022: 4
• 2021: 5
• 2020: 6
• 2019: 4

If your loved one died as a result of a truck accident in Cincinnati, you and your family may be entitled to compensation. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you with a wrongful death claim.

Crashes Involving Injuries

Injury crashes are divided into three separate categories:

• Serious Injury
  • 2023: 25
  • 2022: 20
  • 2021: 19
  • 2020: 24
  • 2019: 27
• Minor Injury
  • 2023: 154
  • 2022: 140
  • 2021: 150
  • 2020: 134
  • 2019: 168
• Possible Injury
  • 2023: 131
  • 2022: 125
  • 2021: 110
  • 2020: 109
  • 2019: 150

After a truck accident in Cincinnati, it is crucial to seek medical attention. These crashes can result in serious injuries, but the severity of the injury isn’t always apparent.

Read More: Protecting Your Rights After a Truck Accident

Crashes Resulting in Property Damage

Property damage is the most common outcome in any motor vehicle accident. Statistics for commercial-related property damage crashes in Hamilton County are:

• 2023: 1,411
• 2022: 1,354
• 2021: 1,416
• 2020: 1,105
• 2019: 1,656

In the event of an accident, the difference in size and weight all but guarantees that passenger vehicles will be damaged by a commercial truck. The driver and passengers in the smaller vehicle are also more likely to suffer injury.

Cincinnati Truck Accidents Day & Time

The vast majority of accidents with commercial vehicles happen on weekdays during normal business hours. Commuters are more likely to be on the road at the same time as truckers on these days and at these times, meaning the likelihood of a crash is increased.

Crashes by Day

In Hamilton County and Cincinnati, 90% of truck accidents happened on a weekday:

1. Tuesday: 1,629
2. Thursday: 1,596
3. Wednesday: 1,551
4. Friday: 1,481
5. Monday: 1,415

These statistics roughly correspond to national trends. According to the National Safety Council, the risk of a nonfatal crash increases throughout the week (although Friday, not Tuesday, is the day of the week with the most accidents).

Crashes by Time

Most truck accidents in and around Cincinnati occurred between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. OSHP provides the following hour-by-hour crash statistics: 

• 7-7:59 a.m.: 550
• 8-8:59 a.m.: 658
• 9-9:59 a.m.: 565
• 10-10:59 a.m.: 498
• 11-11:59 a.m.: 559
• 12-12:59 p.m.: 569
• 1-1:59 p.m.: 549
• 2-2:59 p.m.: 648
• 3-3:59 p.m.: 762
• 4-4:59 p.m.: 655
• 5-5:59 p.m.: 505

Commercial vehicle accidents tend to increase from mid-afternoon into the early evening. This may be due to added traffic from school pickups and the beginning of evening rush hour, putting more drivers on the road at the same time as semi-trucks.

Variables in Cincinnati Truck Accidents

A truck accident in Cincinnati may involve a host of contributing and co-occurring factors. Multiple factors need to be taken into account to determine what caused the crash and who may be held liable for injuries and damages.

OSHP records multiple variables in the event of a crash. Statistics for 2019 to 2023 show that the following factors played a part in truck accidents in Hamilton County and Cincinnati:

• Mature-Related: 3,463
  • The crash involved at least one driver aged 55 or older.
• Unbelt-Related: 1,823
  • At least one person involved in the crash was not wearing a seatbelt.
• Youth-Related: 1,520
  • The crash involved one or more drivers between the ages of 15 and 24.
• Speed-Related: 674
  • An accident where one or more vehicles were traveling above the posted speed limit or at an unsafe speed.
• School Bus-Related: 639
  • One of the vehicles involved in the accident was a school bus carrying 16 or more passengers.
• Failure to Yield-Related: 573
  • The accident was caused by a driver’s failure to yield the right of way.
• Work Zone-Related: 525
  • Accidents occurring in work zones can injure multiple workers and the occupant(s) of a motor vehicle. Workers injured by a semi-truck in a work zone may be able to bring a third-party work injury claim.
• Teen-Related: 407
  • The crash involved a driver between the ages of 15 and 19 years old.
• Ran Red Light or Stop Sign-Related: 193
  • An accident caused by a driver’s failure to stop at a stop sign or red light.
• Distracted-Related: 151
  • The crash was caused by distracted driving. Examples of distracted driving behaviors include texting while driving, use of other electronics, passenger interactions, and more.
• OVI-Related: 111
  • “OVI” stands for “operating vehicle under the influence.” The term encompasses both alcohol- and drug-related offenses.
• Alcohol-Related: 73
  • In Ohio, victims of drunk driving accidents may be able to bring claims against the driver and other parties—including the venue that sold the alcohol.
• Drug-Related: 48
  • The crash involved a driver or pedestrian suspected of using marijuana or another drug, or tests positive for unlawful narcotics.
• Pedestrian-Related: 23
  • A pedestrian, skater, or wheelchair user was involved in the accident.
• Motorcycle-Related: 19
  • The accident involved a motorcycle.
• Deer-Related: 12
  • A deer was involved in the crash.
• Bicycle-Related: 3
  • The accident involved a bicycle.

It is important to note that the police may document the variables involved in a motor vehicle accident without arriving at a conclusion as to the cause. Prompt investigation by a truck accident lawyer can ensure that the cause is accurately established and all parties are held responsible.

Read More: Why Are Truck Crash Claims So Complex?

Get Help from Colombo Law

At Colombo Law, truck accidents are a major focus of our practice. If you have been injured or a member of your family was hurt or killed in a truck accident in Cincinnati, our attorneys have the experience, skills, and resources to help you navigate the aftermath of the crash and pursue the compensation you deserve.

We handle all aspects of the case. This includes trial preparation and representing you in court if necessary.

Contact Colombo Law today for a FREE case review. Our lawyers serve clients injured in truck accidents in Cincinnati, all of Hamilton County, and throughout Ohio.