ZIP 38126 (Memphis, TN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 38126: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Shelby 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
2.2 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 4.5 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Shelby County compares with Tennessee
Shelby County against Tennessee and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Shelby County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Shelby County | Tennessee | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 50.8 | 60.1 | 49.7 | 15% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.5 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 1.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.58 | 0.48 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.7% | 1.9% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 1.2% | 2.3% | 6.2% | 48% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.7% | 21.8% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 15.6% | 14.9% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 40.8% | 40.5% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 25.0% | 25.9% | 24.8% | same |
Shelby County sits below Tennessee on crashes per 100k residents / yr and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
What stands out in ZIP 38126: I-40 21 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 38126.
Overview
Shelby County has recorded 5,377 truck crashes since 2015, with 3,109 people injured and 238 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 1 truck crash every day.
When crashes happen
May has the most truck crashes, 9.1% of the yearly total, while February has the fewest (7.4%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 40.8% of truck crashes, against 40.5% across Tennessee.
By time of day, 12–1 pm stands out with 7.0% of truck crashes.
1.2% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 2.3% across Tennessee.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 38126 is I-40, with 21 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by I-55 (20), I-240 (14) and US-78 (14).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 139 of the truck crashes here, or 2.6%, compared with 1.9% in Tennessee.
Garbage-truck crashes peak in August (12% of them).
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 2.2 deaths compared with 4.5 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 38126 fleets
- Build extra time into May routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-40 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at August schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- 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 Shelby County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 21 |
| I-55 | 20 |
| I-240 | 14 |
| US-78 | 14 |
| SR-175 | 13 |
| US-51 | 6 |
| US-64 | 5 |
| US-61 | 4 |
| Airways Blvd | 2 |
| Mu-Sam Cooper Blvd | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Shelby County) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 813 |
| I-240 | 407 |
| Lamar Ave | 331 |
| I-55 | 267 |
| E Shelby Dr | 234 |
| Winchester Rd | 111 |
| Getwell Rd | 61 |
| Shelby Dr | 61 |
ZIP 38126 at a glance
| Population | 5,946 |
| Density | 1,236 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $30,071 |
| Median home value | $82,582 |
| Home ownership | 12% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Shelby 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 | 24 | — | 13.2 |
| 2000s | 384 | +1525% | 10.0 |
| 2010s | 510 | +33% | 11.1 |
| 2020s | 424 | -17% | 19.0 |
In the 1990s about 24 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 424. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. NHTSA counts 15.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 19.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 38126
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 38126?
Since 2015, 5,377 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Shelby County (3,109 injured, 238 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 38126?
NHTSA data shows I-40 with 21 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 38126 since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 38126?
May has the most truck crashes in Shelby County, 9.1% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 38126?
Since 2015, Shelby County has reported 139 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.6% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 38126 compare with Tennessee?
Per 100,000 residents, Shelby County has 50.8 truck crashes a year; Tennessee has 60.1.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 38126?
The free Route Planner takes your stops and returns a route risk score, safer alternatives and low-bridge warnings.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.