Independence, MO truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Independence: 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
0.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.2 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Independence compares with Missouri
Independence against Missouri and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Independence stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Independence | Missouri | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 50.5 | 85.9 | 49.7 | 41% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.2 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 56% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.55 | 0.44 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.1% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 6.4% | 7.2% | 6.2% | 11% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.1% | 22.8% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 8.7% | 10.7% | 13.8% | 18% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.2% | 40.7% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 19.3% | 24.7% | 24.8% | 22% below the state |
Independence sits below Missouri on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher injuries per crash, garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
What stands out in Independence: I-435 20 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 15 miles of Independence.
Overview
Since 2015, 700 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Independence. They injured 390 people and killed 8.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 6 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in September (11.9% of the year) and are lowest in November (5.9%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 42.2% of truck crashes, against 40.7% across Missouri.
The busiest hour is 2–3 pm, with 8.9% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 6.4% of truck crashes, compared with 7.2% in Missouri.
Where crashes happen
I-435 leads within 15 miles of Independence with 20 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by I-70 (15), I-35 (4) and I-470 (4).
Garbage & waste trucks
22 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 3.1% share (Missouri: 2.2%).
Their busiest month is July, with 32% of garbage-truck crashes.
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 0.0, vs 1.2 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for Independence fleets
- Plan September schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Independence.
- Where you can, review stops along I-435; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at July schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- Morning starts matter: 26.1% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Missouri.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Independence
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 15 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-435 | 20 |
| I-70 | 15 |
| I-35 | 4 |
| I-470 | 4 |
| US-71 | 4 |
| Prospect Ave | 3 |
| SR-210 | 3 |
| US-24 | 3 |
| Bannister Rd | 2 |
| I-670 | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Independence) |
|---|---|
| Is 70 | 270 |
| US-24 | 76 |
| Mo 291 | 63 |
| Cst Noland Rd | 40 |
| Mo 78 | 37 |
| US-40 | 22 |
| Cst 39Th St | 17 |
| Cst Truman Rd | 16 |
Independence at a glance
| Population | 121,629 |
| Land area | 78.0 sq mi |
| Density | 1,560 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 64057) | $71,402 |
| Median home value (ZIP 64057) | $255,581 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Independence 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 | — | — | 6.4 |
| 2000s | 28 | — | 7.1 |
| 2010s | 47 | +69% | 6.4 |
| 2020s | 62 | +31% | 8.6 |
From the 2000s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 28 to 62. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 7.5 a year in 2016–19, 8.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Independence
How many truck accidents are there in Independence?
Independence has had 700 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 390 people and killing 8.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Independence?
NHTSA data shows I-435 with 20 fatal large-truck crashes within 15 miles of Independence since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Independence?
The worst month is September: 11.9% of truck crashes in Independence happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Independence?
22 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Independence since 2015, 3.1% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Independence compare with Missouri?
Per 100,000 residents, Independence has 50.5 truck crashes a year; Missouri has 85.9.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Independence?
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.