A variety of factors contribute to truck accidents. Some stem from negligence of a driver (the trucker or another driver), such as speeding or fatigue. Others are the result of faulty or defective equipment, such as tires or brakes. Improper loading is another cause; for instance, cargo that’s unbalanced or not secured.
Statistics can help identify patterns and risk factors in these types of accidents. Review the latest national truck accident statistics that show the rate of injuries and fatalities. Also consider how factors such as time of day or alcohol influence these numbers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides annual reports on accident statistics. The most recent data for large trucks are from 2012. The report indicates that 317,000 large trucks were involved traffic crashes. This resulted in 104,000 injuries and 3,921 fatalities.
Injury Truck Accident Statistics
Injuries increased by 18% from 2011 (88,000) to 2012 (104,000). Of those injured, 73
% were occupants in other vehicles. This was just a one-percentage point increase. Three percent were non-occupants, which was also a one percentage point increase. And 24% were occupants of large trucks, a two percentage point decrease.
Fatal Truck Accidents Statistics
The increase in fatalities was four percent (3,781 in 2011 and 3,921 in 2012). As with fatalities, 73% were occupants in other vehicles. This was a five percent increase. Ten percent were non-occupants, which decreased by 11%. And 18% were occupants of large trucks, a nine percent increase.
Multi-vehicle crashes were more likely to cause fatalities. In fact, 81% of fatal truck accidents were multi-vehicle accidents. Comparatively, 58% of fatal accidents that involve passenger vehicles are multi-vehicle accidents.
NHTSA focused on fatal crashes involving a large truck and another vehicle. The following shows specific maneuvers at the time of the accident:
* large truck and other vehicle going straight– 46%;
* truck or other vehicle was negotiating a curve – 12%;
* other vehicle was turning – 9%; and
* truck or other vehicle stopped or parked in a traffic lane – 7%.
Statistics Regarding Time of Day and Day of Week
Most fatal crashes occurred during the week (78% vs. 22%). Seventy-two percent happened during the day (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) as opposed to at night. This is unsurprising given that these are the days and times of day that see the most vehicle traffic.
Truck Accidents and Alcohol Impairment
The cause of many of the fatal truck crashes was drunk driving. A lot of the deathly truck wrecks stemmed from one of the drivers having a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .08 or higher. Motorcyclists topped the list (27%), followed by motorists in passenger cars (23%), and then drivers of light trucks (22%). Only two percent of truck drivers had a BAC of .08 or higher.
Truck Accidents and Driving History
Drivers of passenger cars more often had a license revoked or suspended (14.9%) compared to drivers of large trucks (8.2%). But 18% of truck drivers had received at least one speeding conviction in the past compared to 17% of motorists in passenger cars.
These statistics can shed light on some risk factors for serious injury and fatal truck accidents. Regardless of the other circumstances of your accident, contact an attorney to review your legal options.
