Trucking accidents can cause devastating injuries, and our Miami attorneys want the public to be aware of their seriousness. If you have been in a crash, please contact our law office right away. We can swing into action and fight to get you the compensation you need, regardless of who is to blame—the truck driver, the trucking company, a manufacturer, or another entity. Below, we highlight 7 important trucking accident facts you should know.
Numbers Killed
More than other types of motor vehicle collisions, truck accidents can cause fatalities. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 4,564 people were killed in collisions involving large trucks or buses. These accidents also make up about 1 in 8 traffic fatalities.
Number of Injury Crashes Reaches Record High
According to federal data, 2016 saw 112,000 injury crashes involving large trucks and buses. The numbers increased again in 2017, to top off at 116,000. These numbers are much higher than in previous years.
For example, the number of crashes involving trucks and buses in 2009 came in at only 60,000. Of course, the collapsing economy in 2009 meant fewer trucks were on the road. Still, the increase in recent years is alarming. Indeed, the 2017 number is the highest in at least 20 years.
170,000 People Injured in Truck Accidents
This number is for 2017, which was an increase from 168,000 in 2016. The 170,000 people injured in 2017 was the highest since 1999, when 176,000 were injured.
Speed is a Primary Factor in Fatalities
According to FMCSA data, speed was a contributing factor in 17% of all fatal truck crashes. This translates into roughly 1 in 6 fatal crashes stemmed, in part, from driving too fast.
Distraction is Also a Serious Contributor
About 6% of fatal crashes stemmed from a truck driver’s lack of attention or distraction. Of these accidents, about 16% of them involved using a cell phone. This number is much too high, because the federal government has passed strict rules prohibiting truck drivers from using hand-held cell phones on the road.
Most Dangerous States
The top 10 states were responsible for 51% of all fatal crashes involving large commercial vehicles. These states were:
- California
- Texas
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- Florida
- Georgia
- North Carolina
Florida residents should not be surprised to see our state on the list, since we see so many wrecks on I-95 and other roads.
Seat Belts Save Lives
Truck accidents can also kill truck drivers and their occupants. In fact, about 16% of deaths in truck accidents involve passengers in the truck. And about 39% of their deaths stemmed from not wearing a seat belt.
Contact a Miami Trucking Accident Attorney
If you have been hurt in an accident, or if a loved one perished, contact Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein today. You can schedule a free consultation by reaching us at 305-371-2692.