| Trucking Accident Statistics |
| | An average of about 5,000 trucks are involved in fatal traffic accidents each year. |
| | About 360 pedestrians and 70 bicyclists are killed each year in traffic accidents involving trucks. |
| | Tractors pulling one semitrailer are the most common truck configuration, accounting for about 60% of all trucks involved in a fatal accident. |
| | The number of persons killed in accidents involving a truck decreased to 5,567 in 2000, compared with an average of 5,647 from 1997-1999. |
| | The number of truck drivers killed in traffic accidents increased from 658 in 1998 to 713 in 2000. |
| | Texas, California, and Florida had the greatest number of truck involvements over the period 1996 to 2000. |
The fatal crash rate for semi-trucks is 2.6 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. This staggering statistic is more than 50 percent greater than the rate for all vehicles on the roads. Tractor trailers and large trucks (including 18 wheelers) are also more likely to get into multiple vehicle accidents, nearly 80 percent of all large truck accidents involve more than one vehicle
Since the late 1970s, 12 to 13 percent of all traffic-related fatal crashes involved a Big Rig truck.
Federal regulations allow drivers of large trucks to drive up to 16 hours a day. However, drivers under the regulations can compile 60 hours in less than five days by alternating ten hours of maximum permitted continuous driving with the minimum eight hours off duty. Surveys reveal that many drivers of Big Rig Trucks violate the regulations on hours of service.
Studies also show that driver fatigue plays a role in Rig Rig wrecks and that drivers are more likely to crash after many long hours of driving. (IIHS) The Department of Transportation has recently adopted a new version hours-of-service rules. However, consumer groups and highway safety advocates believe the trucking industry weakened the change to a degree that still will allow fatigued truckers on the road.
Who is liable in a Big Rig accident?
Any person or entity who was at fault for causing the accident can be sued. This includes the truck driver and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, the shipper, as well as any other driver, person or entity who in anyway contributed to the accident, such as the manufacturer of one of the vehicles involved in the accident, the manufacturer of a tire that contributed to the accident or the owner of any public or private property whose negligence contributed to the accident.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a Big Rig Trucking accident, you may be entitled to a substantial recovery.
Your time may be short to collect compensatory or punitive damages for your serious injuries. If you, your family or someone you know has been injured, email us now for a free, private consultation. Knowledge is power- we'd like to help you!
Contact us today at Info@HelpingTheInjured.com
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