How many people are killed in truck accidents?
Most deaths in truck accidents are passengers in smaller vehicles due to their vulnerability. Commercial trucks are not only taller, they often weigh 20-30 times more than passenger vehicles. Trucks also require at least 20-40 times more space to come to a complete stop than a passenger vehicle, even more when the roadway is slick, or their brake systems are poorly maintained. When all of this is coupled with truck drivers who often work outside of the federally mandated hours of service, it is easy to see why truck accidents can have catastrophic consequences.
In the most recent data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (USDOT-FARS), in 2017, 4,102 people died in large truck crashes. This is a 30% increase since 2009, when the truck deaths had hit an all-time low.
Of the 4,102 deaths in truck accidents, 68% were occupants of smaller vehicles, 14% were pedestrians, motorcyclists, or bicyclists, and 17% were occupants of the truck.
According to USDOT-FARS, 52% of these accidents occurred on major roadways, 32% occurred on interstates or freeways, and 15% of these fatal truck accidents occurred on smaller roadways.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, we at 844 See Mike are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected, and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck driving is a difficult occupation and truck drivers are on the road for long stretches of time, making them prone to errors that put other drivers at-risk for accidents, injuries, and wrongful death.
The most common causes of trucking accidents include:
- Distracted driving-Distracted driving can include texting, checking emails or social media, daydreaming, eating and drinking, using a GPS system, doing paperwork, or playing with the radio. Whatever a truck driver is doing that takes his or her eyes from the roadway is putting other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists in danger.
- Fatigue-Truck drivers are paid by the mile and often feel pressured to deliver their cargo as quickly as possible. The FMCSA regulates the amount of time a truck driver can be behind the wheel and how many breaks they must take however truck drivers frequently disregard this.
- Negligent maintenance-Trucking companies often try to cut corners and even though maintenance schedules are regulated by the FMCSA, they may not always be routinely followed. Faulty equipment, especially brake systems, can cause catastrophic injuries.
- Driver error-Trucking companies are required to put only trained, safe drivers on the roadways. Drivers who are improperly trained, inexperienced, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol cannot make safe decisions.
Truck Accident Compensation
Being involved in a truck accident is frightening. Following a truck accident, you are not only dealing with considerable pain, you are often faced with extensive bills and you may wonder what compensation you may be entitled to.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you may be entitled to the following compensation:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment of normal life
- Disability and disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death
Just like each truck accident is unique, so is the compensation you or a loved one may be entitled to. The experienced personal injury lawyers at 844 See Mike LLC can evaluate your case and determine how much you may be entitled to.
We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
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