HOME ATTORNEYS PERSONAL INJURY VEHICLE ACCIDENTS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE BLOGCONTACT
MURRIETA
SAN DIEGO
OPEN PRACTICE AREAS

A look at some statistics for large truck accidents

Riverside County drivers are familiar with the danger posed by large trucks on California roads, due to the massive size of these vehicles. They may be interested in an article looking at some data on the causes and frequency of fatal truck accidents.

A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals some interesting statistics about truck accidents. Looking at nationwide data from 2012, nearly half of the accidents involving a truck and one other vehicle occurred when both vehicles were driving straight ahead. Smaller incidence percentages were found for navigating a corner or the non-truck vehicle making a turn. However, large trucks were more likely to be a part of a fatal multi-vehicle accident than passenger vehicles, with 81 percent of large truck accidents involving more than two vehicles. Large truck drivers were least likely to have had their license suspended or to be above the legal blood alcohol limit prior to a fatal accident, though.

These various causes led to nearly 4,000 fatal large truck accidents in 2012, with well over 100,000 people injured due to these large truck crashes. This represents an increase of 4 percent from the prior year. The number of large truck drivers killed in these accidents rose by 9 percent in that year, while the number of passenger vehicle fatalities rose by 5 percent.

Whether the cause of the accident was driver fatigue or distracted driving, a truck accident carries a serious risk of injury to occupants in another vehicle. In instances where negligence is proven on the part of a truck driver, injured victims could receive compensation for costs of medical care and lost wages, among other damages.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "Large Trucks", accessed on Jan. 17, 2015

No Comments

Leave a comment
Comment Information