{"id":2887,"date":"2026-08-13T02:05:05","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T02:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/34-74-180-255.nip.io\/truck-accidents\/what-are-90-of-accidents-caused-by\/"},"modified":"2026-10-13T17:46:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T17:46:42","slug":"what-are-90-of-accidents-caused-by","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/truck-accidents\/what-are-90-of-accidents-caused-by\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are 90% of Accidents Caused By? Human Error"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Understanding Accident Causes<\/p>

What Are 90% of Accidents Caused By? Human Error.<\/h1>

A driver's mistake \u2014 distraction, speeding, impaired judgment, or loss of control \u2014 is the critical reason behind the vast majority of crashes. Understanding why accidents happen is the first step toward holding the responsible party accountable.<\/p>

Get a Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div>
Get a Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Data Behind the Numbers<\/h2>\n

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94%<\/h3>

of crashes involve driver error (NHTSA DOT HS 812 506)<\/p><\/div>

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Nationwide<\/h3>

We represent catastrophic injury victims across the U.S.<\/p><\/div>

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Florida-Based<\/h3>

Licensed attorneys focused exclusively on serious personal injury<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

By CHG Lawyers \u00b7 Published September 24, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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What Causes 94% of Accidents? Human Error and Your Legal Claim<\/h2>\n\n

You’ve probably heard that “90% of accidents are caused by human error.” The real number is higher: 94%<\/strong>. This comes from the most-cited U.S. government study. Behind every crash is a choice someone made. When that choice causes permanent injury or death, it can become the basis for a legal claim.<\/p>\n

Below, we explain where the 94% figure comes from, what human error means in crashes, and what your options are.<\/p>\n\n

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Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3>

Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

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Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Where the 94% Number Comes From<\/h2>\n

Almost every law-firm blog cites one federal report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The report is called Critical Reasons for Crashes Investigated in the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey<\/em> \u2014 NHTSA Publication DOT HS 812 506<\/a> (February 2015).<\/p>\n

NHTSA investigators assigned each crash a “critical reason” \u2014 the main reason it happened. The driver was the critical reason in 94% of accidents<\/strong>. Vehicle problems caused about 2%. Environmental factors caused about 2%. The rest were unknown.<\/p>\n

The report makes two important points:<\/p>\n