Trucking Accident Facts
Every 16 minutes, a person is killed or sustains
injuries in accidents involving 18-wheelers,
tractor-trailers or semi-trucks
In 2001, 429,000 large trucks were involved in
traffic crashes (both fatal and minor) in the United
States:
- 4,793 were involved in fatal crashes
- 5,082 people died
- 131,000 were injured
In 2001, there were 6,536 total crashes involving
tractor-trailer trucks in Pennsylvania;154 were
fatal.
In 2003, there were 58,512 total vehicle accidents
involved in fatal crashes in the U.S.
- 4,669 were large trucks involved in fatal truck accidents
Large trucks are more likely to be involved in a
fatal multi-vehicle crash than are passenger
vehicles.
In 2003,
Texas witnessed 5040 fatal traffic accidents, of
which 438 were fatal truck accidents. This number
has risen from 5039 total traffic accidents and 401
fatal truck accidents for the previous year 2002.
Similarly, in
Pennsylvania, there were 2233 fatal traffic
accidents in 2003, of which 213 were fatal truck
accidents, as opposed to corresponding numbers of
2198 and 174 for the year 2002.
Florida had 4432 fatal traffic accidents in
2003, with 343 of them involving trucks, which was
higher than 4431 total traffic accidents for 2002
but lower than the 351 fatal truck accidents in the
same period.
The highest number of fatal traffic accidents
happened in
California, with the number being a staggering
5725 fatal auto accidents in 2003. But at 332, the
number of fatal truck accidents was not the highest
among all states in the US.
Trucking revenues totaled $610 billion last year and
revenues are forecasted to nearly double by 2015.
The majority of fatal truck accidents occur in rural
areas (68 percent) during the daytime (66 percent)
and on weekdays (78 percent).
In 2002, the majority of large truck crashes
occurred in good weather (71 percent), on dry roads
(71 percent), during the daytime (75 percent), and
on weekdays (88 percent).
About 27 percent of all large truck drivers involved
in fatal truck accidents throughout the United
States had at least one prior speeding conviction
compared to 19 percent of the passenger vehicle
drivers involved in fatal crashes.
From 1992 to 2002, the number of large trucks
involved in fatal crashes has increased by up to 10%
due to driver fatigue, unsafe vehicle operation,
large, unstable loads or defective equipment.
Defects contribute to the number of large truck
accidents each year. Some of these defects include:
- Tires or wheels: 80 crashes
- Brake-related: 76 crashes
- Engine/Transmission: 52 crashes
- Steering Wheel: 13 crashes
About 700 heavy truck drivers and passengers in
truck cabs die each year. In addition, almost 3,700
persons in cars and other passenger vehicles die
annually in collisions with heavy trucks.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports
that in crashes involving large trucks and other
vehicles, 98% of the fatalities occur to the people
in passenger vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) has warned groups using 15-seat passenger
vans about the dangers of fully loading the vans and
then putting an inexperienced driver behind the
wheel. The NHTSA also stated that 15-passenger vans
are large trucks and should only be driven by people
with experience driving large trucks.
The FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information
System (MCMIS) classifies a truck as large if its
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeds 10,000
pounds.
The majority of fatal crashes involving
tractor-trailer trucks include trucks that are
pulling one trailer. A recent survey showed that 64%
of fatal truck crashes had one trailer. Thirty-two
percent of those involved single-unit trucks (no
trailer) and fewer than 4% of the those involved
multi-trailer vehicles (more than one trailer).
Accident Statistics
Has a Trucking Accident Occurred?
Munley, Munley & Cartwright, PC accepts and successfully resolves major trucking injury cases nationwide. Our lawyers, paralegals, and other professionals are specially trained to evaluate, develop, and negotiate these difficult cases to protect and benefit our clients. You do not pay any fee unless we win money damages for you. That means you can get the most experienced legal help and it won't cost one dime more than you would pay any other firm -- and we get RESULTS!
The goal of Munley, Munley & Cartwright is simple and direct: To Successfully Resolve the Legal Problems of our Clients.
If you have questions about an accident involving a tractor trailer, let us go to work for you.
You can contact the trucking attorneys of Munley, Munley & Cartwright for a free consultation by completing our online accident evaluation form -or- calling toll-free at 1-800-318-LAW1.
