Government study looks at the number of large truck accidents
June 11, 2015On behalf of Terence Gross of Gross & Schuster, P.A. posted in Truck Accidents on Tuesday, January 20, 2015.
Florida drivers may be interested in some government statistics about the number of fatal truck accidents and some of the causes. The data reveals some interesting facts about the majority of crash victims.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, large trucks were involved in the deaths of 3,921 people around the country in 2012. That year, more than 100,000 people were injured in truck accidents as well. These injuries and fatalities were the result of over 300,000 crashes that included a large truck. The statistics show that, when a large truck is involved in a crash, the overwhelming majority of these collisions result in a multi-vehicle accident. When someone is injured or killed in these accidents, 73 percent of the time it is not a truck occupant. In 2012, however, 18 percent of those killed were the truck drivers.
There is some good news that these statistics revealed. It was found that large truck drivers are less likely to have a blood alcohol level over the legal limit or to have had a previously-suspended license before getting into a truck accident than other drivers. However, almost 18 percent of truck drivers had a prior conviction for speeding, which is slightly higher than that of drivers of passenger cars.
Due to the size and weight of a big rig, there is a risk of serious injuries or death in a collision with other vehicles on the road. When a driver is hurt or killed in a truck accident, an attorney may be able to help them or their family recover compensation from the truck driver or their employer. The attorney may be useful in assessing the evidence and bringing a lawsuit against those responsible.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Large Trucks”, accessed on Jan. 17, 2015
