When and Where Do Michigan’s Truck Collisions Happen?

Michigan was built by the auto industry, and it still relies heavily on the automotive, trucking, and transportation industries. Multi-trailer semi trucks transport goods locally and interstate. Box trucks deliver packages and other items to consumers and businesses. All these vehicles help provide jobs for Michigan residents, supply local businesses, and support the economy of the Great Lakes State.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regularly ranks Michigan among the safest states for truck drivers, citing its high safety standards and low fatality rates. However, even non-fatal truck accidents often cause serious, life-changing injuries and extensive property damage.

Crashes can occur anywhere trucks travel: Interstate freeways, state highways, city streets, and rural roads. However, data from the Michigan State Police and the state Office of Highway Safety Planning show that some counties, roads, days, and times see more truck crashes than others. Knowing when and where truck accidents are most likely to occur can help you plan your route, drive defensively, and deal with traffic more effectively.

Most Common Counties for Large Truck Accidents in Michigan

Because Wayne County is densely populated and home to many businesses and industrial centers, it’s no surprise that it leads the state in vehicle and truck accidents. In 2024, there were 3,916 trucks or buses involved in crashes in Wayne County. Twenty of these incidents were fatal, and 639 caused injuries.

The other counties with the most Michigan truck accidents in 2024 were:

• Oakland County: 2,081 trucks and buses were involved in crashes; four were fatal crashes, and 342 crashes caused injuries.
• Macomb County: 1,257 trucks and buses were involved in crashes; five were fatal crashes, and 233 crashes caused injuries.
• Kent County: 1,149 trucks and buses were involved in crashes; four were fatal crashes, and 172 crashes caused injuries.

Washtenaw, Ottawa, Monroe, Genesee, Kalamazoo, Ingham, and Berrien Counties also recorded more than 300 truck crashes each in 2024.

Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Southeast Michigan

Travelers on Michigan’s interstate freeways are used to sharing these roads with large trucks. It’s not uncommon to see a steady line of tractor-trailers hauling cargo across the state via I-94, I-96, I-69, or I-75.

It’s easy to assume that large truck crashes happen most frequently on Michigan’s interstates. While crashes do happen on these freeways, interstates are not the most common sites for truck collisions in Michigan.

Data from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) shows that, in 2024:

• 44.2% of all truck crashes (29.8% of fatal crashes) occurred on county roads and city streets.
• 29.2% of truck collisions (43.3% of fatal crashes) occurred on U.S. and Michigan routes.
• 26.4% of truck collisions (26% of fatal crashes) occurred on interstate routes running through Michigan.

These numbers demonstrate that dangerous truck accidents can occur on all types of roadways across the state.

Heavily trafficked U.S. routes in southeast Michigan include:

• US-12 (Iron Brigade Memorial Highway).
• US-23.
• US-24 (Telegraph Road).
• The former US-25 (Gratiot Avenue).

Key Michigan highways in the area include:

• M-1 (Woodward Avenue).
• M-3 (Gratiot Avenue).
• M-10 (Lodge Freeway).
• M-53 (Van Dyke Avenue).
• M-153 (Ford Road).

In addition to causing injuries and property damage, truck accidents on county roads, city streets, and U.S./Michigan highways can cause significant traffic congestion and delays.

Month, Day, and Time

Data collected by the Michigan State Police shows that large trucks collide with other vehicles at all hours of the day and night. In 2024, however, some months, days, and times saw more frequent accidents than others.

• Weekdays. Although no weekday recorded fewer than 2,824 truck collisions, the highest number of Michigan truck collisions occurred on Tuesdays (3,184). Crashes on weekends were far less common: 925 truck crashes occurred on Saturdays, while 604 occurred on Sundays.
• Early afternoon. When traffic is heavy, collisions are more likely. More truck collisions happened during daylight hours in 2024, with most occurring between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Collisions peaked between noon and 3:00 p.m., when 3,844 crashes occurred. By contrast, only 425 collisions happened between midnight and 3 a.m.
• Fall/Winter. In 2024, the highest number of truck and bus accidents occurred in January (1,690). October ranked second, with 1,548 collisions. December saw 1,510 crashes. The fewest total truck crashes occurred in February (954) and March (1,055).

Although the risk of a truck crash is higher at certain times and places, a collision can occur anywhere, at any time. If you’re injured in a large truck crash, don’t wait. Speak to an experienced Michigan truck accident lawyer. The team at Sommers Schwartz, P.C., can help. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.