Semi Truck & Trucking Accidents
Truck accidents account for approximately 200,000 crashes each year. In 2007, 413,000 large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds) were involved in traffic crashes in the United States; 4,584 were involved in fatal crashes. A total of 4,808 people died (12% of all the traffic fatalities reported in 2007) and an additional 101,000 were injured in those crashes.In 2006, large trucks accounted for 4 percent of all registered vehicles and 7 percent of total vehicle miles traveled (2007 registered vehicle and vehicle miles traveled data not available). In 2007, large trucks accounted for 8 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes and 4 percent of all vehicles involved in injury and property-damage-only crashes.One out of nine traffic fatalities in 2007 resulted from a collision involving a large truck. One out of nine traffic fatalities in 2007 resulted from a collision involving a large truck.
If you have been in a truck accident, you should speak with a truck accident lawyer or truck accident attorney to receive the most experienced legal help for your specific situation. Truck accident lawyers and attorneys specialize in the representation of truck accident victims and know the best course of action to take in your case.
Of the truck accident fatalities that resulted from crashes involving large trucks, 75 percent were occupants of another vehicle, 8 percent were nonoccupants, and 17 percent were occupants of a large truck.Of the injuries that resulted from crashes involving large trucks, 75 percent were occupants of another vehicle, 2 percent were nonoccupants, and 23 percent were occupants of a large truck.
Large trucks were much more likely to be involved in a fatal multiple-vehicle crash - as opposed to a fatal single-vehicle crash - than were passenger vehicles (82% of all large trucks involved in fatal crashes, compared with 59% of all passenger vehicles).In 28 percent of the two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a large truck and another type of vehicle, both vehicles were impacted in the front. The truck was struck in the rear 3.2 times as often as the other vehicle (19% and 6%, respectively).
In half (51%) of the two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a large truck and another type of vehicle, both vehicles were proceeding straight at the time of the crash. In 11 percent of the crashes, the other vehicle was turning. In 9 percent, either the truck or the other vehicle was negotiating a curve. In 7 percent, either the truck or the other vehicle was stopped or parked in a traffic lane (5% and 2%, respectively).
Most of the fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred in rural areas (62%), during the daytime (66%), and on weekdays (78%). During the week, 74 percent of the crashes occurred during the daytime (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.). On weekends, 62 percent occurred at night (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.).
The percentage of large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes who had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher was 1 percent in 2007. For drivers of other types of vehicles involved in fatal crashes in 2007, the percentages of drivers with BAC levels .08 g/dL or higher were 23 percent for passenger cars, 23 percent for light trucks, and 27 percent for motorcycles.Drivers of large trucks were less likely to have a previous license suspension or revocation than were passenger car drivers (8% and 15%, respectively).
Nearly one-fourth (24%) of all large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2007 had at least one prior speeding conviction, compared to 19 percent of passenger car drivers involved in fatal crashes.
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