ZIP 98126 (Seattle, WA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 98126: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in King 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
0.6 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.6 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How King County compares with Washington
King County against Washington and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where King County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | King County | Washington | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 22.1 | 25.8 | 49.7 | 14% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.6 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 24% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.17 | 0.18 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.9% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 1.3× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 4.3% | 9.7% | 6.2% | 56% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.8% | 24.8% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 21.5% | 20.2% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.5% | 43.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 23.9% | 25.2% | 24.8% | same |
Compared with Washington, King County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: garbage-truck share.
What stands out in ZIP 98126: 2.0× change in fatal truck crashes a year within 10 miles of ZIP 98126 (3.0 → 6.0).
Overview
King County has recorded 6,019 truck crashes since 2015, with 1,063 people injured and 156 killed.
That averages about 1 truck crash a day in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in October (9.3% of the year) and are lowest in May (7.4%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 41.5% of truck crashes, vs 43.8% for Washington.
By time of day, 12–1 pm stands out with 7.4% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 4.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Washington: 9.7%).
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 98126 is I-5, with 11 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by I-405 (4), SR-181 (3) and SR-99 (3).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 180 of the truck crashes here, or 3.0%, compared with 2.2% in Washington.
Garbage-truck crashes peak in April (12% of them).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 0.6, vs 2.6 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 98126 fleets
- Build extra time into October routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-5 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Waste haulers: April is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in King County.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 King County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-5 | 11 |
| I-405 | 4 |
| SR-181 | 3 |
| SR-99 | 3 |
| SR-509 | 2 |
| 1st Ave S | 1 |
| 30th Ave | 1 |
| 37th Ave S | 1 |
| Airport Way S | 1 |
| Albaum Blvd Sw | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (King County) |
|---|---|
| Sr-167*026.00 | 24 |
| Sr-167*024.00 | 23 |
| Sr-167*014.00 | 22 |
| Sr-18*026.30 | 19 |
| Sr-167*019.00 | 18 |
| Sr-18*002.00 | 18 |
| Sr-18*001.00 | 17 |
| Sr-18*003.00 | 16 |
ZIP 98126 at a glance
| Population | 22,975 |
| Density | 2,864 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $116,466 |
| Median home value | $784,064 |
| Home ownership | 61% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in King 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 | 330 | — | 10.3 |
| 2000s | 344 | +4% | 8.0 |
| 2010s | 451 | +31% | 7.2 |
| 2020s | 523 | +16% | 14.6 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 330 to 523. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 10.0 a year in 2016–19, 14.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 98126
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 98126?
6,019 truck crashes have been reported in King County since 2015, with 156 deaths and 1,063 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 98126?
I-5 had 11 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 98126 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 98126?
Truck crashes in King County peak in October, with 9.3% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 98126?
180 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in King County since 2015, 3.0% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 98126 compare with Washington for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, King County has 22.1 truck crashes a year; Washington has 25.8.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 98126?
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.