ZIP 98144 (Seattle, WA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 98144: 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 |
King County has lower values than Washington for crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: garbage-truck share.
ZIP 98144 at a glance: I-5 most fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 98144: 11 since 2015.
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
The worst month is October with 9.3% of truck crashes; the quietest is May at 7.4%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 41.5% of truck crashes, against 43.8% across Washington.
The busiest hour is 12–1 pm, 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 98144 is I-5, with 11 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. After it: I-405 (4), SR-99 (4) and I-90 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
180 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 3.0% share (Washington: 2.2%).
Garbage-truck crashes peak in April (12% of them).
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 0.6 deaths compared with 2.6 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 98144 fleets
- Plan October schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in King County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-5; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Waste haulers: April is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in King County.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 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-99 | 4 |
| I-90 | 2 |
| 1st Ave S | 1 |
| 30th Ave | 1 |
| 37th Ave S | 1 |
| Airport Way S | 1 |
| Albaum Blvd Sw | 1 |
| Ambaum 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 98144 at a glance
| Population | 33,787 |
| Density | 3,869 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $96,969 |
| Median home value | $901,902 |
| Home ownership | 46% |
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 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 330 a year in the 1990s and 523 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 10.0 a year in 2016–19 and 14.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 98144
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 98144?
6,019 truck crashes have been reported in King County since 2015, with 156 deaths and 1,063 injuries.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 98144?
NHTSA data shows I-5 with 11 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 98144 since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 98144?
Truck crashes in King County peak in October, with 9.3% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 98144?
Garbage trucks were involved in 180 reported crashes in King County since 2015 (3.0% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 98144 compare with Washington for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 22.1 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in King County, vs 25.8 for Washington.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 98144?
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.