Big rigs and heavy-duty trucks are the behemoths of the road. Because of their sheer size and weight, physics isn’t often kind to drivers and passengers of vehicles who get into violent accidents with them. This also goes for the truck drivers. All too often, big truck crashes result in broken bones and nerve damage, just for starters.
Says County Line Chiropractic, and accident injury clinic, in North Miami Beach Florida,because of the massive size and heavy weight of big trucks, truck accidents will almost always result not in minor injuries, but serious injuries. The injuries can have a devastating impact on the lives of those involved for many years to come. They can also make it very difficult to lead the active lifestyle they’ve been used to.
In fact, bad accidents involving heavy trucks are said to be on the rise. According to a recent report, during the past two years alone, truck accident statistics have proven that millions of bad accidents have occurred the globe over. Most of this involved personal injury, be it minor or serious. Ironically, the accidents with heavy trucks seem to have taken place in areas with very good infrastructure since truckers prefer to drive in such areas.
But here’s the truth about heavy-duty trucks. While they are magnificent if not intimidating machines, they are both harder to maneuver, especially over narrow roads, and they are more difficult to bring to a full stop when braking. Since their size and weight are best described as huge, their impact on smaller garden variety automobiles and vehicles can be devastating.
That said, here are some scary statistics regarding heavy-duty truck accidents.
Five Heavy-Duty Truck Accidents Facts
In the United States alone, 500,000 truck-related accidents occur annually. On a worldwide basis, “millions of crashes” that involve heavy-duty trucks are reported (something to keep in mind for those of you who are afraid to fly).
In 2017, nearly 5,000 big trucks were involved in traffic accidents in which drivers and passengers perished from their injuries.
Between the years 2009 and 2017, heavy-duty truck and even bus crashes that caused fatalities rose by nearly 50 percent.
68 percent of fatal big truck accidents occur mostly on interstates and highways located in rural areas.
Truck-related accident fatalities made up 11 percent of all vehicular accidents in 2017.
Heavy-Duty Truck Crashes are Rising in the 2020s
The FMCSA or the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, recently reported an almost 10 percent rise in big truck-related accidents as 2020 dawned. There was also a close to 10 percent rise in accident fatalities. These alarming trends seem to be rising with each passing year.
Number of Confirmed Deaths Involving Heavy-Duty Truck Crashes
The NHTSA, or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, stated that just a few years ago in 2017, almost 5,000 buses and heavy-duty trucks were involved in vehicular accidents that resulted in confirmed fatalities.
The FMCSA believes it’s important to keep in mind that these statistics also include buses due to their size and weight. However, heavy-duty truck crashes are much more prevalent compared to vehicular wrecks involving buses. That said, because buses carry lots of people, the amount of severe and even fatal injuries involving buses is generally greater than truck accidents.
Highest Number of Fatal Heavy-Duty Truck Crashes in the U.S.
According to recent statistics compiled by the FMCSA, thus far, the highest number of big truck-related accidents was recorded in 2005. More than 5,000 truck and bus wrecks that involved fatalities were said to have occurred in 2005. While the numbers decreased during the several years that followed, the number of fatal big truck crashes are once again on the rise.
Also read: Rules for Truck Trading
Causes of Heavy-Duty Truck Crashes
The WHO, or the World Health Organization, recently put together data that indicates by 2030, “road accidents” in the U.S. will become the fifth largest cause of death. Many of these accidents will not only involve traditional driver-controlled trucks, but autonomous driverless heavy-duty trucks such as the one being developed by the Tesla Corporation today. The WHO also stresses that it’s important the U.S. find ways to reduce this staggering number.
The main causes of the heavy-duty truck crashes? Says the TAAN, or Truck Accident Attorney Network, “critical driver error” is the main cause of road accidents involving large trucks like semis. This involves driver complacency, failure to follow speed limits, driver fatigue, illegal maneuvers, distractions, drug and alcohol use, and inadequate observation of nearby traffic and immediate surroundings.
