If you or someone you know was involved in a truck accident, you already know how devastating and scary it can be for the ones involved. Our expert team of truck accident lawyers in California has compiled the following truck accident facts and statistics to help you understand more why and how truck crashes happen and their consequences.
Overview of Truck Crash Data in the U.S.
A truck accident is a term used to encompass all motor vehicle crashes that involve one or more large, heavy-duty vehicles. Usually, the incident is considered a truck accident when one of the vehicles weighs more than 10,000 lbs. An accident involving such vehicle juggernauts can cause catastrophic injuries or truck fatalities in most cases, not only for other passenger vehicle drivers but for the truckers themselves.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), truck driving is considered the sixth most dangerous profession in the United States. It is also the profession that had the most fatalities in 2018. Because truck drivers spend most of their time on the road, the risk of an accident increases exponentially the more they drive.
Data compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows us that in 2021, around 159,000 large trucks and buses were involved in accidents on the road, with 147,000 of them in crashes, 73,000 in injuries, and 4,3000 in fatalities. That’s only slightly lower than 2020 which logged around 167,000 vehicles involved, 157,000 crashes, 77,000 injuries, and 4,800 fatalities.
Research points to trucks being the most dangerous vehicle on the roads today. Out of 268 million licensed drivers, only about 1% of these drivers are truck drivers. Nevertheless, they are involved in one out of 10 vehicular crashes. This means they are involved in 10% of all motor vehicle accidents year-round.
Must-Know Truck Accident Facts & Stats
The fact that cases of truck related accidents remain high is, sadly, not surprising, despite all the National Highway Traffic safety measures trucking companies and drivers take. There are more vehicles on the road now than ten years ago, which is why the World Health Organization’s research shows that by 2030 road accidents will be the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Currently, vehicular accidents are the eighth cause of death globally.
Nevertheless, the high rate of involvement in road crashes involving large trucks, buses, 18-wheelers, big rigs, and other heavy-duty vehicles is alarming. According to statistics, 0.161 trucks were involved in a fatal crash per 100 million miles traveled. It is also important to note that around 62% of fatal truck crashes involved two vehicles, whereas single-vehicle crashes made up 21% of fatal trucking accidents.
One should also look into the vehicle types involved in large truck crashes. A 2018 study conducted by the FMCSA reveals that singles (trucks pulling only one semi-trailer) account for 55% of all fatal truck accidents, followed by double axle trucks at 23.5%, 3+ axle trucks at 10.3%. Also, in a surprising revelation, doubles and triples (trucks pulling two and three trailers respectively) account only for a little more than 3% of all road accidents, though it’s easy for us to think that because of their larger size and mass they would make up for more truck accidents.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
There are several factors that cause truck accidents. Here are what can be considered the three main contributing factors to a large percentage of truck accidents:
Critical Driver Error
This is the main cause of truck accidents. The top reasons for critical driver error in a truck accident are truck driver fatigue, drug use, alcohol abuse, speeding, stress or pressure from the trucking company, an illegal maneuver, over-aggressive driving, inadequate surveillance, unfamiliarity with the route, and distracted driving.
Critical Vehicle Malfunction
The most reported mechanical defect is brake issues, followed by tire problems and blowouts. Yet, other causes can be attributed to this category, such as cargo on loaded tractor-trailers being improperly secured and a general lack of maintenance on the truck. These errors could cause rig accidents that could lead to severe injuries.
Substance Abuse Leading To Speeding
Speeding is also one of the leading causes of truck accidents, just as it is with other motor vehicle accidents, followed by impairment (alcohol consumption and drug use), and distracted driving. Regarding impairment due to substance abuse, 299 out of 4,949 truck drivers tested positive for at least one substance. Even if only 6% of the total sample population was tested, the trend shows that substance abuse is a major problem in truck drivers.
Hazardous Environmental Factors
Bad weather conditions, slippery roads, lack of signage, heavy traffic, and dangerous roads are also some of the causes of truck accidents.
Of these factors, the most reported cause of truck accident fatalities is vehicular failure, with faulty tires and brakes as two of the prime reasons. However, the data confirms that the leading cause of fatal truck accidents are not critical vehicular failure, which accounts for a little more than 2% of accident causes, but actually driver error. Data by the FMCSA shows us that at least one driver-related error was found in 32% of the cases.
A study conducted by the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) shows that about 310,250 truck drivers would fail a urine and hair test for drugs 99% of the time. In a pre-employment test sponsored by the Trucking Alliance, 949 urine specimens failed the urine test. Hair testing was also used, since drug traces can be found in hair follicles for more than 90 days, with some drugs staying even longer in the body.
In the case of hair follicle tests, the UCA study could only collect about 8.5% of the projected samples. This meant 12,824 drivers had been using illicit drugs prior to the test. Substance abuse is one of the leading factors in all commercial vehicle accidents including truck accidents, with drunk driving being the highest causes of fatal crashes in the U.S..
Victim Of A Truck Accident? We Can Help You
These truck accident facts and statistics provide an overview of the dangers truck drivers place on themselves and other road users. Knowing these numbers can help you be more aware and vigilant when on the road.
Have you or somebody you know been in an accident involving trucks, buses, and other large vehicles? You can lean on us for help. At Farahi Law Firm, APC, our experienced truck accident lawyers will help you get your fair and just compensation when involved in a vehicle accident. Under California law, you are entitled to restitution for any damages, such as physical damage, emotional damages, or property damage due to a truck driver’s negligence.
If you or a loved one have been in a truck accident, do not hesitate to contact us or call us at (844) 824-2955. We are available 24/7 and will come to you anywhere in California. We work on a No Win – No Fee basis, so you don’t have to pay us a cent until we win your case and obtain the highest compensation.
