Montana Fatal Truck Accident Statistics
Montana has over twice as many deaths per 100,000 as the US with 21.69 as opposed to 10.92, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the number of fatalities involving a truck has remained steady from 2011 to 2015.
Only a slight increase in truck-related fatalities has been noted when a pickup or utility truck has been involved. Van and large-truck related deaths have remained steady over the same period. Three deaths involving a large truck were recorded in 2011 and two in 2015. The highest point was in 2012 with four while 2014 reversed the trend with just one death.
Van-related deaths have also remained the same with four for all years between 2011 and 2015, except for a spike in 2014 with nine deaths. Utility truck fatalities continue this trend with 37 in 2011 and just an increase of two to 39 in 2015. For the years in between, 35 deaths were reported annually.
Pickup trucks have the highest rate of fatality in the truck category with 51 in 2011 and 52 in 2015. The high point came in 2012 with 54 while 2014 was the low point with 47.
Chouteau County had the highest number of large truck fatalities with six. Most counties only had one or no deaths involving a large truck. Cascade and Gallatin Counties reported the highest number of light truck fatalities with six each. Chouteau County reported five as did Big Horn, Flathead, Judith Basin, Lewis and Clark and Yellowstone counties. Jefferson County saw the biggest drop, going from seven deaths in 2014 to two in 2015.
While the numbers for fatalities involving a passenger car are much higher than for trucks, the locations are similar. The majority of fatalities result from a roadway departure or happen in a single-vehicle accident.