Truck Accidents By Time and Day: What National Data Says About Montana Trends
If you’ve been in a truck accident in Montana, you’re probably wondering if there was anything you could have done differently. Unfortunately, truck crashes follow clear patterns based on time and day, and these patterns have nothing to do with how careful you were as a driver. Understanding when these crashes happen most often can help explain why your accident occurred and strengthen your legal case.
National crash data reveals that large truck accidents peak during specific hours and days of the week, with working hours and weekdays showing the highest risk. Montana follows many of these same trends, but our state’s rural highways and seasonal weather create unique dangers that every driver should understand.
If you suffered an injury in a serious commercial truck accident, our Montana truck accident lawyers will be there to help at every turn. Call Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, PLLP at 406-442-7830 today. We’ll examine every aspect of your accident to help you obtain maximum compensation.
Here’s what the data tells us about when truck accidents happen and what it means for your claim.
Weekdays Are Far More Dangerous Than Weekends
The statistics are clear: truck accidents happen much more frequently during the work week. According to NHTSA data, crashes involving large trucks spike Monday through Friday, with Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday seeing the highest numbers.
This pattern makes sense when you consider that most commercial trucking happens during business hours. Trucks are hauling goods to businesses, making deliveries, and moving freight to meet weekday deadlines. On Montana’s highways, you’ll see far more semis during the week as drivers rush to complete routes between cities like Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls.
Weekends show a significant drop in truck accidents, simply because fewer commercial vehicles are on the road. However, this doesn’t mean weekend truck crashes are less serious. When they do happen, they often involve tired drivers finishing long hauls or independent operators working irregular schedules.
Afternoon Hours Present the Highest Risk
The time of day matters just as much as which day of the week. National data shows that truck accidents peak between noon and 6 p.m., with 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. being the most dangerous window. This afternoon spike accounts for roughly 30% of all large truck crashes.
Several factors contribute to this pattern:
- Driver fatigue: Even with hours-of-service regulations, truck drivers experience afternoon fatigue after hours on the road
- Rush hour traffic: More vehicles on the road mean more opportunities for crashes, especially when trucks mix with commuter traffic
- Sun glare: Late afternoon sun can blind drivers, particularly on Montana’s east-west routes like I-90
- Pressure to meet deadlines: Drivers rushing to complete deliveries before businesses close may take risks
Morning hours (6 a.m. to noon) see moderate crash rates, while nighttime and early morning hours show lower numbers. However, even though the numbers are lower, truck crashes that occur at night are often more severe because of reduced visibility and higher speeds on empty highways.
Montana’s Unique Risk Factors
While Montana generally follows national trends, our state presents specific challenges that affect when and where truck accidents occur. Long distances between cities mean truck drivers spend more continuous hours on the road, increasing fatigue risk during those dangerous afternoon hours.
Weather also plays a major role in Montana crash patterns. Winter storms can strike suddenly, particularly in mountain passes and along I-15 and I-90. When bad weather hits during peak trucking hours, the combination creates extremely hazardous conditions. Spring and fall bring their own challenges, with black ice forming during temperature swings in early morning and evening hours.
Our rural highways see less traffic overall, but when crashes do happen, emergency response times are longer. An accident that might be survivable near a city can become fatal when it takes 30 minutes or more for help to arrive.
What This Data Means for Your Claim
If your crash happened during peak hours on a weekday, it suggests the trucking company was pushing normal operations. Your Montana truck accident attorney can investigate whether the driver was rushing to meet an unrealistic deadline or whether the company failed to account for known high-risk times in their safety planning.
Time-of-day data also helps establish fatigue claims. A crash at 5 p.m. after a driver started their shift at 5 a.m. raises obvious questions about exhaustion. Your lawyer can, through litigation, get the logbooks and electronic logging device data to prove the driver exceeded safe hours behind the wheel.
Weather and visibility conditions tied to specific times create additional liability angles. If a trucking company dispatched a driver during dangerous afternoon conditions when they could have waited, that’s evidence of negligence.
Consult With Our Montana Truck Accident Law Firm Today!
The timing of your truck accident can reveal important details about why it happened and who’s responsible. Trucking companies and their insurers will try to frame the crash as unavoidable or your fault, but an experienced Montana trucking accident attorney knows how to use timing patterns, logbook data, and other evidence to build a strong case.
Don’t wait to protect your rights. Montana’s statute of limitations gives you three years to file a personal injury claim, but evidence disappears quickly.
Call Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, PLLP today at 406-442-7830 or fill out our confidential contact form to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
