Nevada City, CA truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Nevada City: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Nevada City and Nevada County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Nevada County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
7 of 919 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Nevada County compares with California
Nevada County against California and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Nevada County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Nevada County | California | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 78.9 | 33.2 | 49.7 | 2.4× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.7 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 53% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.51 | 0.44 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.6% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 66% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 24.3% | 0.9% | 6.2% | 26.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.7% | 23.5% | 23.7% | 12% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 39.9% | 6.5% | 13.8% | 6.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.0% | 40.2% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 29.5% | 29.1% | 24.8% | same |
Nevada County sits below California on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am). It runs above California on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and on snow, slush or ice.
Nevada County at a glance: 24.3% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (California: 0.9%).
Overview
Nevada County has recorded 919 truck crashes since 2015, with 462 people injured and 15 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 5 days.
With 7 truck crashes reported in Nevada City since 2015, this page uses Nevada County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
The worst month is September with 10.8% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 6.1%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 44.0% of truck crashes, vs 40.2% for California.
More truck crashes happen at 3–4 pm than at any other hour (7.7%).
Road surface: 24.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (California: 0.9%).
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Nevada City since 2015: SR-49 (2) and SR-20 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
7 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 0.8% share (California: 1.6%).
Route planning tips for Nevada City fleets
- Plan September schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Nevada County.
- With 24.3% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above California), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Nevada County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-49 | 2 |
| SR-20 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Nevada County) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 27 |
| SR-20 | 8 |
| Rt80 Eb/150Ft W Donner Pass Rd | 5 |
| Interstate 80 W/B | 4 |
| Rt80/.1M W Donner Lake Rd | 4 |
| Rt80/1.7M E Boreal Uc | 4 |
| Rt80/1500Ft E Donner Pass Rd | 4 |
| Rt80/1.5M W Floriston Rd | 3 |
Nevada City at a glance
| Population | 3,195 |
| Land area | 2.2 sq mi |
| Density | 1,423 per sq mi |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Nevada 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 | — | — | 1.2 |
| 2000s | 48 | — | 1.3 |
| 2010s | 65 | +34% | 0.8 |
| 2020s | 82 | +26% | 0.8 |
From the 2000s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 48 to 82. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 0.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 0.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Nevada City
How many truck crashes happen in Nevada City?
Since 2015, 919 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Nevada County (462 injured, 15 killed).
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Nevada City?
Truck crashes in Nevada County peak in September, with 10.8% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Nevada City?
Since 2015, Nevada County has reported 7 garbage-truck crashes, or 0.8% of its truck crashes.
How does Nevada City compare with California for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Nevada County has 78.9 truck crashes a year; California has 33.2.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Nevada City?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.