Even with increased regulations on the trucking industry, the high number of truck accidents is not declining. Heavy trucks weighing upwards of 50,000 pounds create incredible concerns for the safety of America’s roads and highways. Not only do they need more space and time for breaking and maneuvering, but heavy trucks can also carry items like logs and chemicals that increase the danger of a trucking accident. Many trucking companies also overload their trucks, making the truck even harder to handle. Too many people are killed or injured by trucks that do not adhere to regulations and are not properly handled.
These alarming facts are based on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2012 statistics.
- There were 333,000 large trucks involved in traffic crashes in the United States.
- There were 3,921 people killed and 104,000 people injured in crashes involving large trucks.
- 73% of truck accident fatalities were occupants of other vehicles.
- Large trucks were more than 3 times more likely than any other vehicle to be struck in the rear in two-vehicle fatal crashes.
- Fatalities in large truck crashes increased by 4% from 2011.
- In 46% of two-vehicle crashes, both the truck and other vehicle were driving straight at the time of the crash.
- In 12% of crashes, either the truck or the other vehicle was negotiating a turn.
- Drivers of trucks were less likely to have prior license suspensions than were other vehicle drivers.
- Nearly 18% of all large truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had at least one prior speeding conviction.
- 78% of fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred on weekdays, and 72% of these crashes occurred between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
If you have been in a trucking accident and would like to estimate the value of your claim, use the Claim Calculator.