Statistics to Know About Truck Accidents

It seems like every other day there’s some sort of news report on a terrible truck accident. That’s because these accidents happen far too often across the United States. Injury victims, as well as the families of loved ones lost in wrecks involving trucks, file truck accident lawsuits on a regular basis.

The following is a look at just how prevalent truck accidents are in our country. If you’ve suffered an injury in a trucking accident caused by someone else, the law firm of Penn Kestner & McEwen will be ready to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys have achieved a great deal of success fighting for the rights of truck accident victims. We’ll be more than prepared to do the same for you.

Learn more about what we may be able to do for you by contacting us online or calling (800) 732-3070 for a free consultation.

Truck Accident Injuries and Fatalities Statistics

There were more than 4,800 large trucks that were in fatal crashes in 2020 – not crashes overall, but accidents that led to a death. A lot of people might find that fact astounding, since that’s an average of about 15 fatal truck accidents every day. Another 107,000 trucks were in wrecks that led to an injury.

Here are a few other facts regarding truck accidents that result in a death.

• They occur more often in rural areas and on interstate highways. About 54% of them take place on rural roads, with another 27% on interstates.
• A significant amount of fatal truck accidents (37%) occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Weekdays are when the vast majority of both fatal truck accidents (82%) and non-fatal wrecks involving a truck (87%) occur.

Types of Injuries Caused

When a huge truck collides with the typical passenger vehicle, the results can be catastrophic. The injuries that result can lead to a lifetime of debilitation. These are just a few examples.

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – A TBI is arguably the worst type of injury that can take place due to a truck accident. The reason is that, in severe cases, a TBI can render a victim unable to perform even the most basic of everyday tasks. Victims will often not be able to prepare their own meals, or even dress or bathe themselves. Since their injuries are so devastating, TBI victims will sometimes be able to obtain significant settlements.
• Back and spinal cord injuries – When a person’s spinal cord is damaged in an accident, the consequences can be just as bad as a TBI. They will often be left paralyzed, and require around-the-clock care as a result.
• Broken bones and fractures – The majority of the time, these injuries will completely heal on their own, and the victim will eventually get back to normal. But there are some instances where a piece of a shattered bone can pierce nearby organs, creating a potentially life-threatening situation.

Accidents Involving Alcohol

There are a lot of dangerous behaviors that truck drivers exhibit, and all of them can be deadly. Probably the worst one is driving while impaired by alcohol. As hard as it might be to believe, people will actually try to operate an 80,000-pound commercial truck when they’re drunk. This type of huge machine is hard enough to drive when sober – no matter how experienced the driver may be.

In 2020, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 250 truck drivers involved in fatal accidents were impaired at the time of the wreck, either by an illness, fatigue, or by consuming alcohol. About 3% of drivers in fatal wrecks had at least some alcohol in their system. Of these, about 2% had a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of .08% or higher. The legal limit in all 50 states is .08% or less.

Accidents Involving Maintenance Issues

Even though all truck drivers – as well as all trucking companies – have to make sure their vehicles are safe enough to be on the road, they will often neglect this responsibility. They care more about making a deadline, and making a profit. This can be a direct cause of a potentially deadly accident.

According to the results of a study conducted by the FMCSA, a lack of proper maintenance plays a role in about 40% of truck accidents. Brake and tire failures accounted for 35% (brake failures 29%, tire failures 6%), while improperly loaded trailers accounted for the other 5%.

Statistics on Truck Accident Types

There are several different types of truck accidents that tend to occur more often than others. Here’s a look at three of them – rollovers, head-on collisions and jackknifes.

• Rollovers typically account for about 5% of truck accidents. As the name implies, this kind of accident occurs when a truck driver loses control. This causes the vehicle to fall over on its side. One of the more common reasons behind a rollover is a sudden shift in the trailer’s cargo. The weight imbalance can easily lead to a rollover.
• It’s estimated that about 4% of truck accidents are head-on collisions. If a truck driver is fatigued or impaired, they could easily lose focus. This of course can lead to them their truck drifting into oncoming traffic. Of course, this can often have tragic consequences.
• When a truck’s trailer suddenly swings out, the shape it forms with the cab portion of the vehicle somewhat resembles a jackknife – hence the name “jackknife accident.” Jackknifes account for about 5% of wrecks involving a truck. This kind of accident typically occurs due to the driver slamming on the brakes, and losing control in the process. The truck will crush anything in its path.

If You’ve Been Involved in a Truck Accident, Contact Penn Kestner and McEwen

The attorneys with Penn Kestner & McEwen have the experience, skill and depth of knowledge it takes to help truck accident injury victims obtain maximum compensation. If you get in touch with us, we will listen to the details of your case and let you know how we may be of assistance. You can call (800) 732-3070 or use our online contact form for a free evaluation of your case.