Trucking Accident Facts
Commercial trucks, semi trucks, tractor trailers, large freight carriers and 18 wheelers share the road with small passenger vehicles everyday. On interstate and intrastate highways at break-necking speeds are where most truck accidents occur where more often than not these crashes result in severe consequences from serious injury to even death.
If you have been involved in an accident involving a commercial truck, our truck accident lawyers & attorneys provide aid in the difficult task of determining the next step. Our law firm is experienced to handle truck accident cases from start to finish. Experienced truck accident lawyers will gather evidence and work with investigators to identify the cause of your accident and file the appropriate claims against the defendant. Call us today toll-free at (800) 732-3070 or file a lawsuit claim online.
Personal injury and wrongful death claims are common in truck accident cases. The process typically begins with the plaintiff’s attorney delivering a complaint and summons to the truck carrier. In the majority of lawsuits, the time after the accident involves exchanging documents between parties and discovering relevant information to prepare a case for trial.
To gather evidence for a truck accident injury case, discovery can consist of a variety of documentation. Document production, request for admissions, depositions, and written interrogations of witnesses are needed for a case. These facts found through discovery are used to present to the court the facts. During a trial, lawyers bring forth their evidence and arguments for each side and unresolved issues are decided upon. When a jury or judge has decided upon a case, a judgment is ordered for the prevailing side. After a decision, either party may appeal a decision in appellate court. Overturning a case in appellate court is often difficult. If both parties agree to the terms of a judge or jury’s decision then successfully appealing a case is often unlikely.
Truck Accident Statistics
Big rig truck accidents involving small passenger vehicles or pedestrians often have very serious consequences for the victim. Big trucks can weight well over 85,000 pounds and as long as 80 feet or more. These staggering facts are just a part of what small passenger vehicle drivers must face on the road. It is not shocking that truck accidents result in more fatalities than any other traffic related accident.
Truck accident statistics are alarming. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) regularly publishes statistics on trucking related injuries and accidents. A recent study revealed that over 500,000 truck accidents occur every year in the US. Of these trucking crashes, nearly 5,000 result in death.
Here are some interesting facts and statistics on truck accidents:
In 2007, 136,438 large trucks and 12,498 buses involved in non-fatal crashes.
In 2007, 54,961 large trucks and 6,709 buses involving in serious injury collisions.
In 2007, 80,752 injuries in crashes involving large trucks and 15,297 injuries in crashes involving buses.
In 2007, in Minnesota there were 2,277 large truck accidents.
In 2007, in Texas there were 16,942 large truck accidents.
In 2007, 81,477 large trucks and 5,789 buses involved in towaway crashes.
12% of all traffic deaths in the U.S. are as a result of truck accidents.
Tractor trailer truck accidents are the most dangerous due to their weight.
98% of truck drivers in accidents are male.
75% of truck accidents are caused by error of small passenger vehicle drivers.
In Pennsylvania, there were over 2,000 truck accidents occurred where 213 resulted in a fatality.
In 2003, there were 58,512 fatal car crashes.
In 2003, there were 4,669 fatal car crashes involving big-rig trucks.
The majority of truck accidents occur in rural areas (69%) versus urban areas (31%)
Trucking revenues totaled $610 billion last year and revenues are forecasted to nearly double by 2015.
Driving under the influence of alcohol and drug abuse is one of the leading causes of truck crashes, injuries, and deaths.
The leading cause of semi-truck crashes in the U.S. are due to overworked and fatigued truck drivers.
More than 35% of truck drivers complain of driving without taking enough rest.
The state with the highest number of fatal traffic accidents is California with 5,725 fatal car crashes in 2003.
On average, 5,000 semi-trucks are involved in a fatal traffic accident every year.
Tractor trailers are the most common truck configuration and account for over 60% of all fatal accidents.
360 pedestrians and 70 bicyclists are killed every year as a result of truck accidents.
In 2000, the state with the highest number of fatal truck accidents was Texas with 499.
The top 5 states for trucking crash fatalities in 2000 were: Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and New York.
The FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) classifies a truck as large if its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeds 10,000 pounds.
June is the month of the year when the majority of fatally involved truck accidents occur every year while April typically has the fewest.
67% of all trucking crashes occur during day time.
28.8% of fatal involvements occur on state highways, 26.3% on U.S. highways, and 25.4% on interstate highways.
Extracted from:
TRUCKS INVOLVED IN FATAL ACCIDENTS FACTBOOK 2000 & The U.S. Department of Transportation.
Free, No Obligation ConsultationThe lawyers at the McEwen Law Firm provide expert consultation, legal advice, and representation for persons injured in semi truck accidents. We’ve successfully accepted and resolved trucking injury cases nationwide. Our truck accident lawyers, paralegals, and legal professionals are trained to investigate, carefully handle, negotiate, prepare, and develop truck accident cases from start to finish. One of our truck accident attorneys, Peter Kestner has extensive experience with truck accident cases, both as a private attorney and representative for trucking companies. His intimate knowledge of the truck industry, and the Federal regulations that govern it, give his current practice a unique edge—and his clients a distinct advantage. If you or someone you love has been in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, pain and suffering. Our law firm will help you navigate the legal process, from start to finish, from building a strong case to recovering the money you and your family deserve. To contact the McEwen Law Firm for a free consultation you can call us toll free at (800)732-3070 or contact a lawyer to get started with your truck accident lawsuit online. Our consultations are confidential and there is no obligation. The best part is – you won’t pay any fees unless we win your case. (800) 732-3070 |
