Trucking Accidents Statistics

When a large commercial truck collides with a much smaller passenger vehicle, it is very likely to result in grave injuries or death for those in the smaller vehicle. Those who have experienced an accident with a large commercial truck were likely seriously injured and perhaps emotionally traumatized as well. Having an experienced truck accident attorney by your side following such a traumatic event can make a huge difference in the outcome of the accident. The attorneys at Coxwell & Associates have a long history of helping those injured in truck accidents and will work hard to ensure victims of truck accidents receive fair compensation for their injuries. We understand the dynamics of a truck accident and know how to pinpoint the negligent party or parties.

A loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, as compared to 3,000 or so for a passenger vehicle; add to this the fact that a loaded tractor-trailer takes from 20-40 percent farther than a passenger vehicle (even more on wet or slippery roads or when the truck’s brakes are not properly maintained), and you can see the potential for a tragedy. Some statistics regarding our nation’s trucking industry include the following:

• The economy of the United States depends heavily on the trucking industry—nearly 70 percent of all freight transported annually travels by truck.
• Nearly 90 percent of large commercial truck accidents are either caused, or made worse by human error, whether by the truck driver or the other driver.
• Truck driver fatigue is responsible for at least a third of all commercial truck accidents (although some statistics place that number as high as 87 percent).
• In 2010, there were 1.1 fatal crashes per 100 million truck-miles.
• In 2010, 3,413 people died as a result of a large truck accident.
• While 14 percent of those who died in a large truck accident were occupants of the large truck, 72 percent of those who died were occupants of a passenger vehicle and the remaining 14 percent of those who died were pedestrians, motorcyclists or bicyclists.
• While large commercial trucks account for 4 percent of the registered vehicles on the highways, they disproportionately account for 9 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths.
• About 61 percent of fatalities occurred on major roads other than interstates.
• Head-on collisions account for 45 percent of a truck/passenger vehicle accidents.
• Nine percent of crashes involving a large commercial truck occur while the truck is negotiating a curve.
• In seven percent of truck/passenger vehicle fatal crashes, either the truck or the passenger vehicle was stopped in a traffic lane.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the following statistics apply to large truck accidents in the state of Mississippi:

• In 2009, there were 286,000 reports of crashes involving a large truck;
• Two-thirds of all fatal crashes involving a large truck in the state occurred on a rural road, while 36 percent occurred on an Interstate;
• Thirty-four percent of all fatal crashes involving a large commercial truck in Mississippi in 2009 occurred at night, and
• The overwhelming percentage of both fatal (84%) and non-fatal (88%) crashes involving a large commercial truck occurred on a weekday.

While every truck accident is unique, the most common causes of large commercial truck accidents include:

• Exceeding the speed limit;
• Passenger vehicle is in truck driver’s blind spot when truck driver changes lanes;
• Brake or tire problems in the large commercial truck;
• Inclement weather;
• Driver fatigue—most likely truck driver, but possible driver of passenger vehicle;
• Reckless driving by truck driver or driver of passenger vehicle;
• Impaired driving by truck driver or driver of passenger vehicle;
• Poor road conditions;
• Distracted driving;
• Tailgating;
• Shifting cargo;
• Lane drifting—truck or passenger vehicle;
• Truck rollovers due to mental distraction, falling asleep, or failing to adjust speed for road conditions;
• Unexpected objects in the roadway, or
• Truck driver making improper maneuvers.

The truck accident lawyers at Coxwell & Associates understand that the damages caused by large commercial trucks can be severe and life-altering. We want to help you make it through this difficult time, and be able to look forward to your life once more. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident, contact Coxwell & Associates today for a free consultation.

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/large-trucks/fatalityfacts/large-trucks

http://www.truckinfo.net/trucking/stats.htm

http://www.truckaccidents.org/statistics/

https://www.truckdrivingjobs.com/faq/truck-driving-accidents.html

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812279