Los Angeles County, CA truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Los Angeles County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
2.5 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.5 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Los Angeles County compares with California
Los Angeles County against California and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Los Angeles County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Los Angeles County | California | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 31.4 | 33.2 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.5 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 31% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.42 | 0.44 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.8% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 1.1× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.2% | 0.9% | 6.2% | 82% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.8% | 23.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 5.8% | 6.5% | 13.8% | 11% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.8% | 40.2% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 28.9% | 29.1% | 24.8% | same |
Compared with California, Los Angeles County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share.
Los Angeles County at a glance: I-5 deadliest road: 52 fatal truck crashes in Los Angeles County since 2015.
Overview
Los Angeles County has recorded 34,951 truck crashes since 2015, with 14,954 people injured and 875 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 8 truck crashes every day.
When crashes happen
The worst month is October with 8.9% of truck crashes; the quietest is February at 7.8%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 41.8% of truck crashes, against 40.2% across California.
By time of day, 12–1 pm stands out with 6.4% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 0.2% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (California: 0.9%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-5 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (52). Next come I-10 (32), I-210 (27) and SR-138 (26).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 634 crashes, 1.8% of the total, against 1.6% across California.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in February (11%).
They recorded 2.5 deaths per 100 crashes, against 2.5 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for Los Angeles County fleets
- Review driver schedules for October, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-5, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in February; review collection routes for that month.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
This report uses the FMCSA crash file (reported crashes of trucks over 10,000 lb) and NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes). It reports the numbers without guessing at reasons.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Los Angeles County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Los Angeles County) |
|---|---|
| I-5 | 52 |
| I-10 | 32 |
| I-210 | 27 |
| SR-138 | 26 |
| SR-60 | 24 |
| I-405 | 19 |
| US-101 | 18 |
| I-605 | 17 |
| SR-14 | 12 |
| I-105 | 11 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Los Angeles County) |
|---|---|
| I-605 | 43 |
| I-5 | 43 |
| SR-60 | 33 |
| SR-91 | 25 |
| I-10 W/B (San Bernardino Fwy) | 22 |
| I-5 S/B (Golden State Freeway) | 22 |
| Sr-14 N/B | 22 |
| I-710 S/B (Long Beach Freeway) | 19 |
Los Angeles County at a glance
| Population | 9,757,179 |
| Land area | 4,060.3 sq mi |
| Density | 2,403 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $93,039 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Los Angeles County since the 1990s
Combines the FMCSA crash file (all reported truck crashes, real coverage from about 1990) with NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes involving a large truck, 1982–2024).
| Decade | Truck crashes / yr | Change | Fatal crashes / yr (FARS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12 | — | 62.3 |
| 2000s | 2,148 | +17804% | 55.4 |
| 2010s | 2,934 | +37% | 48.7 |
| 2020s | 2,943 | +0% | 61.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 12 a year in the 1990s and 2,943 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 54.0 a year in 2016–19, 61.8 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Los Angeles County
ZIP codes in Los Angeles County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Los Angeles County
How many truck accidents are there in Los Angeles County?
Since 2015, 34,951 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Los Angeles County (14,954 injured, 875 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Los Angeles County?
Since 2015, I-5 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes in Los Angeles County: 52.
When do most truck crashes happen in Los Angeles County?
Truck crashes in Los Angeles County peak in October, with 8.9% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Los Angeles County?
634 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Los Angeles County since 2015, 1.8% of all truck crashes.
How does Los Angeles County compare with California for truck crashes?
Los Angeles County records 31.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 33.2 across California.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Los Angeles County?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.