ZIP 26717 (Elk Garden, WV) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 26717: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Mineral County, 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
1 of 61 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Mineral County compares with West Virginia
Mineral County against West Virginia and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Mineral County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Mineral County | West Virginia | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 19.4 | 57.6 | 49.7 | 66% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.5 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 15% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.56 | 0.45 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.8% | 1.1% | 2.3% | 1.6× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 5.3% | 8.1% | 6.2% | 35% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.8% | 20.9% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 8.8% | 24.8% | 13.8% | 65% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 52.6% | 41.7% | 41.9% | 1.3× the state |
| After dark | 12.3% | 26.6% | 24.8% | 54% below the state |
Compared with West Virginia, Mineral County is lower 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 Mineral County: February 14.8% of truck crashes happen in February, more than any other month.
Overview
Since 2015, 61 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Mineral County. They injured 33 people and killed 2.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 70 days.
When crashes happen
February has the most truck crashes, 14.8% of the yearly total, while September has the fewest (3.3%).
November through March accounts for 52.6% of truck crashes here, compared with 41.7% in West Virginia.
The busiest hour is 3–4 pm, with 13.1% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 5.3% of truck crashes, compared with 8.1% in West Virginia.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 26717 since 2015 were spread across roads: SR-135 (2) and US-48 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 1 crash, 1.6% of the total, against 1.1% across West Virginia.
Route planning tips for ZIP 26717 fleets
- Plan February schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Mineral County.
- 22.8% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above West Virginia; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 Mineral County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-135 | 2 |
| US-48 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Mineral County) |
|---|---|
| SR-28 | 6 |
| SR-220 | 5 |
| Us Rt 50 | 3 |
| Wv Rt 93 | 3 |
| SR-50 | 2 |
| Armstrong St, Limestone Rd | 1 |
| County Rt 11/00, Upper Patterson Creek Rd | 1 |
| County Rt 16, Beaver Run Rd | 1 |
ZIP 26717 at a glance
| Population | 1,593 |
| Density | 15 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $74,712 |
| Median home value | $93,729 |
| Home ownership | 97% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Mineral 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 | 2 | — | 0.7 |
| 2000s | 11 | +633% | 1.0 |
| 2010s | 8 | -25% | 0.2 |
| 2020s | 5 | -43% | 0.2 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 2 to 5. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.0 a year in 2016–19, 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 26717
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 26717?
Mineral County has had 61 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 33 people and killing 2.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 26717?
The worst month is February: 14.8% of truck crashes in Mineral County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 26717?
Since 2015, Mineral County has reported 1 garbage-truck crash, or 1.6% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 26717 compared with West Virginia?
Mineral County records 19.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 57.6 across West Virginia.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 26717?
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.