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Trucking Accidents

Trucking Accidents About 1 in 10 highway deaths occurs in a crash involving a large truck.* Who are the victims in crashes involving large trucks?* In 2013, 3,602 people died in crashes involving large trucks. 15% were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists 16% were truck occupants 67% were passenger vehicle occupants In fatal two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck, 97% of deaths were occupants of the passenger vehicles. 11% 97% 11% of all motor vehicle crash deaths involved large trucks. Is driver fatigue a factor in truck crashes? Yes. Research found that truck drivers behind the wheel for more than eight hours are twice as likely to crash.* Truckers' long work hours cause sleep deprivation, disruption of normal sleep/rest cycles and fatigue. ZZ Key statistics surrounding fatal truck accidents in 2012 as reported by the FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): 3,921 truck accident fatalities. 104,000 people sustained serious injuries from trucking collisions. Fatal accidents rose by 18 percent between 2009 and 2012. Nearly 5% of truck drivers were taken off the road because they had too many driving violations (a total of 171,150 drivers). After vehicle inspections, more than 20% of long-haul trucks were taken off the road because they had too many mechanical and/or safety violations (a total of 2,145,733 trucks). • Approximately 10% of people injured in a large truck crash are killed. Large trucks are also more likely to be involved in multiple-vehicle crashes than are passenger cars. Possible causes of accidents specifically related to Trucking: x Truck equipment, (brakes, signals, etc) are not properly maintained. Drowsy Driving/Driver Fatigue - The driver exceeds the legal amount of time allotted per shift. (Federal and state regulations govern the safety of the trucks' equipment and the drivers' hours). Driver Negligence: Speeding Improper lane changes Failure to see the cars around them when making turns Aggressive driving Improper loading of cargo. Trucking companies that do not perform sufficient background checks. Limited safety technologies. Safety tips for driving near trucks: • Never tailgate trucks (or any vehicle); • Leave plenty of space when changing a lane in front of a truck; • Give trucks much more space to brake; • Pass trucks carefully, and never on the right; and • Note that trucks make wide turns. Sources: *http://www.ihs.org/ihs/topics/tlarge-trucks/qanda#cite-text-0-6 **http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811868.pdf THE ROTHENBERG LAW FIRM LLP A PROUD HISTORY OF SUCCESS 800-624-8888 Injury Lawyer.com

Trucking Accidents

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Are We Doing Enough to Prevent Fatal Truck Accidents? Statistics suggest that fatal truck accidents are on the rise across the country, but there has not been a national outcry over these deaths. Acc... ording to an article from NBC News, when we see this many fatal injuries in other industries—thousands per year—news of those deaths “would generate a national outcry.” However, since trucking accidents tend to make local rather than national news, and are “scattered in small numbers across the country,” most Americans do not realize the severity of this issue. Some suggest that trucking accident fatalities simply might be the “cost of doing business” in our country. Large trucks are necessary for economic growth and the buying, selling and transporting goods across state lines. Business industries and the US government are worried about placing too many restrictions that may cause harm to the country’s ability to do business. The need for protecting business interests is important to the economy, but what about families that suffer the consequences of trucking crashes? Should we accept that accidents happen, or can more be done more to prevent truck crashes and to raise awareness about the severity of these often-deadly collisions? Recognizing the frequency of truck accidents, is the first small step towards raising awareness of a very serious danger that exists on almost all US roads and highways. Truck Accident Statistics: How (Un)Safe Are US Highways? Based on data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), more than 10 deadly truck crashes occur each day in the U.S., and almost 4,000 accident victims sustain fatal injuries annually. In addition to those deaths, more than 100,000 serious injuries result from trucking accidents every year. Here are some of the key statistics surrounding fatal truck accidents as reported by the FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): In 2012, NHTSA identified 3,921 truck accident fatalities. That same year, 104,000 people sustained serious injuries from trucking collisions. The total number of fatal accidents rose by 18 percent between 2009 and 2012. Following inspections in 2012, nearly 5 percent of truck drivers were taken off the road because they had too many driving violations (for a total of 171,150 drivers). After vehicle inspections that year, more than 20 percent of long-haul trucks were taken off the road because they had too many mechanical and/or safety violations (for a total of 2,145,733 trucks). What are some of the most common causes of truck accidents? Drowsy driving; Speeding and other forms of aggressive driving; Trucking companies that do not perform sufficient background checks; and Limited safety technologies. The statistics surrounding the number of fatalities per year due to truck accidents is frightening. Unfortunately, serious truck accidents continue to occur on a daily basis. If you or a loved one has sustained serious or fatal injuries as a result of a truck accident, you should contact an experienced truck accident attorney to discuss your case.

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