Truck Accident Statistics for Drivers to Be Aware Of

Sharing the road with large trucks and 18-wheelers can be frightening for drivers of smaller passenger vehicles. While most truck drivers are highly skilled professionals faced with a difficult job which they perform well, it is important to note that certain risks are present in truck accidents that are not generally present in passenger vehicle accidents. Large trucks take longer to stop due to their size and weight, and may have difficulty reacting quickly to sudden hazards in the road. It’s important to exercise caution when you find yourself driving near a large truck and remember to give extra space whenever possible. A truck accident may be caused by a passenger vehicle driver, truck driver, or a combination of the two. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, reach out to a truck accident attorney to discuss your situation as well as options for recovery.

Here are some interesting truck accident statistics for drivers to be aware of:

• According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), nearly 5,000 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2018.
• In 2018, the number of accidents involving trucks resulting in injuries was approximately 112,000 according to the FMCSA.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 72% of truck accident fatalities occurred to passengers in standard vehicles, while 18% of the fatalities were occupants of the large trucks themselves. The remaining percentage consisted of non-occupants such as bicyclists and pedestrians.
• On average, more than a quarter of fatal accidents with large trucks occur on the highway according to the NHTSA, whereas fatal truck accidents on rural roads accounted for more than half.
• According to Injury Facts, approximately 64% of truck accidents occur during the daytime.
• Truck accidents tend to occur consistently throughout the year, except in late summer and fall when they tend to spike according to Injury Facts.
• According to Policy Advice, 30% of truck accidents are related to some type of tire defect.
• Drugs and alcohol abuse are not among the top causes of truck accidents, though like any type of driving they do occur. Instead, driver error, fatigue, and mechanical defects on the part of both large trucks and standard passenger vehicles are most commonly at fault for accidents according to the FMCSA.
• According to CDL Knowledge, approximately 75% of large truck accidents involving a collision with another vehicle result in fatalities.

Some of these statistics may be surprising. Contrary to popular assumption, most truck accidents occur during the day on non-highway roads. It’s important to maintain awareness of the above statistics, and to remember that if the truck driving near you experiences a mechanical defect or driver error, they will likely need much more space to correct than your vehicle would.

Some tips for safe driving around large trucks include the following:

• Stay out of the “No-Zone” (i.e. the blind spots to the back left, back right, and directly behind a truck)
• Use caution when passing
• Give space
• Expect wide turns
• Don’t text and drive
• Don’t drive under the influence

If you or a loved one were injured in an accident with a large truck, reach out to a truck accident attorney for a free consultation. The physical and financial damages associated with most semi-truck accidents tends to be severe, and it is important to explore every avenue of recovery which may be available to you. To learn more about truck accident statistics or for help filing a claim, contact a truck accident attorney as soon as possible.