2021 Truck Accidents: The Facts You Need to Know

Commercial truck accidents are a common occurrence on roadways each year. While there are certain assumptions that can be made about truck accidents, there are other surprising facts that you may not be aware of. By knowing these truck accident facts, you can change the way you drive next to them.

Learn the facts you need to know about 2021 commercial truck accidents from your Houston truck accident attorneys .

Since 2009, there has been a 52% increase in truck accident fatalities. A report done by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows that before this figure rose, the number of casualties was at an all-time low in 2009. 

What’s even more unfortunate is that the majority of victims were those in passenger vehicles. Statistics show that around 97% of fatalities in accidents involving commercial trucks were occupants of a passenger vehicle. 

In terms of truck accidents, there has been an increase in 18-wheeler incidents recorded in trucks weighing between 10,000 to 14,000 pounds. 

Because commercial truck wrecks and fatalities have increased, regulations have been put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations have restricted drivers from driving more than 14 hours at a time while mandating a rest time every 8 hours. Along with these recommendations, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has come out with strict recommendations and preventative measures to hold the drivers of vehicles over 10,000 pounds to a higher standard.

Although many people believe that drug and alcohol use is a common cause of truck accidents, there are other factors to blame. The FMCSA conducted a Large Truck Crash Causation Study and found that mechanical failure, new routes, and driver fatigue were among the common causes of truck accidents . 

Because commercial trucks weigh so much, a lot of pressure is put on the tires, wheels, and brakes. This can lead to mechanical defects in large trucks and put the vehicle at a greater risk of crashing. The truck’s weight can also make it difficult for the truck to slow down or stop as quickly as other passenger vehicles, which can cause a truck accident. 

Large trucks have a big task in carrying their cargo safely from one destination to the other. If a truck driver or trucking company is not keeping up with regular vehicle maintenance, the risk of crashing can only increase.

When it comes to the time and location of most truck accidents, they happen most frequently on busy roadways during the busiest traffic hours of the day. 

In 2017, a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) showed that 52% of all large truck accidents happened on major roads. The report also stated that 32% of these same accidents occurred on highways and interstates, while only 15% happened on minor roads. 

When it comes to time of day, statistics have shown that most semi-truck accidents occur between noon and 3 p.m. Oftentimes, this is when people are rushing home for lunch or traveling home early after a workday. 

Although truck accidents can happen anytime and anywhere, it’s important to stay extra vigilant during these peak hours. If you’re driving next to semi-trucks on a busy road, give them extra space and time. Doing so can allow you to safely share the road and decrease the amount of dangerous truck crashes each day.

These facts can make a difference in how you drive and share the road with large trucks. Knowing the common causes of commercial truck accidents can also help you seek compensation if you’ve been involved in one.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident due to the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company, you may be eligible for financial relief. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you with your claim and get you the compensation you deserve.

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2021 Truck Accidents: The Facts You Need to Know

Lapeze & Johns