ZIP 44131 (Independence, OH) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 44131: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Cuyahoga 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
6.4 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.3 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Cuyahoga County compares with Ohio
Cuyahoga County against Ohio and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cuyahoga County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cuyahoga County | Ohio | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 31.9 | 50.8 | 49.7 | 37% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.3 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 26% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.64 | 0.50 | 0.49 | 1.3× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.6% | 2.5% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 9.4% | 7.8% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.0% | 21.4% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 19.4% | 18.9% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.2% | 42.3% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 21.6% | 25.8% | 24.8% | 16% below the state |
Compared with Ohio, Cuyahoga County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and after dark. It runs above Ohio on injuries per crash, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in ZIP 44131: 1.9× fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 44131 per year, 2020–24 vs 2016–19 (8.6 vs 4.5).
Overview
Police reported 4,613 crashes involving commercial trucks in Cuyahoga County since 2015: 2,960 people were injured and 108 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 1 truck crash every day.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (10.6% of the year) and are lowest in April (6.6%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 42.2% of truck crashes, vs 42.3% for Ohio.
By time of day, 8–9 am stands out with 7.9% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 9.4% of truck crashes, compared with 7.8% in Ohio.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 44131 is I-480, with 9 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by I-80 (7), I-271 (5) and I-77 (5).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 164 crashes, 3.6% of the total, against 2.5% across Ohio.
Their busiest month is January, with 14% of garbage-truck crashes.
They recorded 6.4 deaths per 100 crashes, against 2.3 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 44131 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along I-480; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in January; review collection routes for that month.
- Morning starts matter: 24.0% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Ohio.
- 9.4% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Ohio; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Cuyahoga County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-480 | 9 |
| I-80 | 7 |
| I-271 | 5 |
| I-77 | 5 |
| I-90 | 4 |
| I-71 | 3 |
| SR-17 | 2 |
| SR-176 | 2 |
| US-322 | 2 |
| US-42 | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cuyahoga County) |
|---|---|
| Ir 90 | 551 |
| Ir 480 | 399 |
| Ir 80 | 326 |
| Ir 271 | 228 |
| Ir 77 | 185 |
| Ir 71 | 159 |
| Broadway Av | 81 |
| US-422 | 55 |
ZIP 44131 at a glance
| Population | 20,577 |
| Density | 505 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $100,594 |
| Median home value | $270,220 |
| Home ownership | 93% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cuyahoga 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 | 45 | — | 6.7 |
| 2000s | 272 | +504% | 5.6 |
| 2010s | 419 | +54% | 5.4 |
| 2020s | 328 | -22% | 9.2 |
In the 1990s about 45 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 328. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 6.5 a year in 2016–19 and 9.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 44131
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 44131?
Cuyahoga County has had 4,613 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 2,960 people and killing 108.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 44131?
NHTSA data shows I-480 with 9 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 44131 since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 44131?
January has the most truck crashes in Cuyahoga County, 10.6% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 44131?
Since 2015, Cuyahoga County has reported 164 garbage-truck crashes, or 3.6% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 44131 compare with Ohio?
Cuyahoga County records 31.9 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 50.8 across Ohio.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 44131?
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.