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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.