The trucking industry transports goods across the country daily. Many companies use semi-trucks to ship their products. Because of this, there are many semi-trucks on our nation’s highways. With more trucks on the road, more accidents can occur involving these large vehicles.
It’s essential to know truck accident statistics so you can see the danger these large trucks can pose. They can cause accidents involving more people and often cause catastrophic injuries. Truck accident statistics you should know include overall statistics in the United States, common causes of truck accidents, and the top states with the most fatal truck accidents.
Truck Accident Statistics in the United States
In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a study to gather facts about truck accidents. As a result, they developed the following key findings:
- 4,965 people died in truck accidents within one year across the United States. A 1% decrease from the year before.
- 71% of the people who passed away because of their injuries were the people in other vehicles, not the driver or passengers in the large truck.
- 76% of fatal truck accidents occurred during normal daily work hours on the weekday.
- The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of the truck driver’s sample was over the legal limit in 3% of accidents involving large trucks. If a driver has over a .08% BAC, they could get charged for driving over the legal limit.
While 4,965 people died from their injuries in truck accidents in 2020, 146,930 people sustained injuries. There were over 439,206 reported truck accidents in one year alone. 9% of accidents across the United States involved trucks.
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Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents happen for many reasons. Sometimes, the truck driver causes the accident, and other times, other factors involved cause the accident. Truck drivers drive on the roads for long periods. Causing them to drive while tired or distracted. Many truck drivers want to get the job done as fast as possible and might drive longer than they should.
When this happens, they can cause an accident. These accidents can result in fatalities or severe injuries. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted a study to determine the most common causes of truck accidents; they include:
- Rear-end accidents: These accidents can occur when a truck drives close to the car in front of them. Truck drivers often participate in this behavior when they want a car to move faster or move out of the way. Driving too close can lower their stopping distance, causing them to run into the back of the car if they make sudden stops. 22% of crashes occur because of a large truck rear-ending another vehicle.
- Lane change accidents: Truck drivers have many blind spots while driving on the roads. Because of this, they could collide with other vehicles when making a lane change. 32% of truck accidents occur when a truck makes a lane change.
- Loss of control accidents: A truck’s large size makes it easier to lose control of the vehicle. 29% of truck accidents occur because the truck driver lost control of the vehicle.
Regardless of how the accident happened, those injured in these accidents could recover compensation for their injuries. In many cases, accident liability falls on the truck driver or trucking company. A truck injury attorney could file a claim against the liable party to help their client after an accident.
Top States With Fatal Truck Accidents
Some states have more dangerous roads and highways, causing more truck collisions to occur. Recently, a report came out by the NHTSA with information on how many truck accidents involved fatalities in each state.
The top five most dangerous states for fatal truck accidents in 2020 include:
- Texas: 643
- California: 398
- Florida: 311
- Georgia: 234
- Tennessee: 179
These states aren’t the only states across the country with high fatality rates. Other states with high fatalities include Illinois, North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. While the FMCSA puts safety regulations in place, unfortunately, these accidents causing fatalities still happen.
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Badar Scott Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Accident
If you or a loved one sustained an injury or passed away because of a truck accident, you could recover compensation. At Badar Scott Injury Lawyers, we stick up for the rights of the injured. Our team can help you through the legal process so you can file a claim against the liable party and hold them accountable.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We can listen to your story and hear about how your injuries or the death of a loved one have impacted you. A member of our legal team can answer your questions and let you know if you have a case. We can provide the support and legal guidance you need throughout the entirety of your case.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
