Road safety is important. But no matter how careful you are as a driver, some factors on the highways are simply out of your control. Sharing the road with large semi-trucks and tractor-trailers can be dangerous for passenger vehicles, where you are left vulnerable because of your relative small size. While trucking transportation is an important part of our economy, these vehicles can cause serious accidents, especially when truck drivers are undertrained or overworked. Here are seven surprising statistics about large truck accidents to remind you to always stay alert on the road.
- Large trucks take much longer to brake than typical passenger vehicles. In fact, a fully loaded tractor-trailer truck will take 20% to 40% longer to come to a complete stop than a small car. These differences can become even more pronounced on slippery, wet roads or with poorly maintained brakes.
- Large truck accidents are more likely to result in fatal multiple-vehicle incidents than passenger vehicles. In 2012, 81% of fatal crashes involving trucks were multiple-vehicle, as opposed to just 58% of crashes caused by passenger vehicles.
- Approximately 500,000 large truck accidents happen every year. Of these, 5,000 will result in a fatality.
- One out of every eight car accident fatalities involves a truck.
- Driver fatigue is said to be responsible for 30% of all commercial truck accidents. Most commercial trucking companies allow drivers to operate up to 11 hours a day, 77 hours per week — but many drivers are under pressure to meet deadlines and work beyond those hours.
- Driver-related factors, such as speeding, distraction, and impairment, were cited as root causes in 34% of all fatal large truck accidents.
- The average cost of damages in an accident involving a commercial truck is $59,150.
Trucking accidents can cause serious injuries, damages, and even death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident, you may wish to consult a personal injury lawyer with knowledge and experience in this field. Since the rules and regulations can vary from state to state, find an attorney in Lexington KY to help you recoup the compensation you need for damages, medical bills, and more.
