Over 3.5 million truck drivers drive more than four million semi trucks in the United States. With so many trucks on the road, it’s a statistical guarantee that some of them will be involved in accidents. However, the circumstances surrounding these accidents are not always widely known. If you’re curious about truck accidents, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions below.
What Is the Truck Accident Rate in the US?
Ask any truck accident lawyer, and they will likely surprise you with shocking statistics about truck accident rates in the United States. According to the FMCSA, there were 415,000 police-reported accidents involving large trucks in 2020. There were also 13.49 fatal truck accidents per million people, a significant 27% increase from the decade prior.
More than half of those accidents were in rural areas, with 27% on interstate highways and 13% on rural interstate highways. Most of these truck accidents happened on weekdays, and just 20% happened at night from 6pm to 6am.
What Is the Largest Truck Accident Settlement?
Truck accident lawyers are in the business of fighting for victims’ right to the compensation they deserve. It’s not uncommon for settlements to be awarded in the hundreds of thousands, but million-plus-dollar settlements are also sometimes achieved.
In 2021, an East Texas family was awarded $730 million in a wrongful death lawsuit. This settlement figure also included $250 million in punitive damages. The 2016 accident involved a 73-year-old car driver, a semi truck with an oversized load, and a pilot company. According to court documents, the semi truck traveled over a bridge in the northbound lane just as the victim entered the bridge within the same lane. The victim was killed in the collision.
Is Truck Driving Safe in America?
Ask any law firm specializing in truck accidents, and they’ll say that truck driving is a dangerous occupation. In 2012, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that truck drivers’ fatal and non-fatal injury and illness rates were higher than the average of all other private industry occupations. Not only can they be injured in road accidents, but they can also be injured and fall ill from overexertion, falls, slips, trips, and contact with objects and equipment.
What Is the Leading Cause of Death for Truck Drivers?
The leading cause of death for truck drivers is when they engage in unsafe and careless practices. They can often put themselves at risk as well as other road users. According to the CDC, the biggest risk to truck driver safety is drowsy driving, distracted driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.
Why Do Truck Drivers Cause So Many Accidents?
While many car drivers are involved in accidents, there are also many truck accidents. Sometimes, this can relate to the amount of time truck drivers spend on the road. They can be fatigued from long hours, their trucks experience wear and tear, and they must also drive in hazardous weather conditions.
Truck accidents can be catastrophic for all involved. However, with authorities determining what causes the accidents, who are at risk, and how frequently they happen, they might be in a position to change the frequency and severity of accidents through safety initiatives, programs, road and law changes, and training.
