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.
Useful Linkshttp://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