Heavy Truck Fatalities Continue to Rise Despite Decline in Total Road Fatalities

When large trucks collide with regular sized vehicles, the accident often produces serious injuries, and is more likely to be fatal than regular collisions. While there are many different reasons that truck accidents happen, they are usually from driver error, a company mistake, or a manufacturer defect.

Even though acts of negligence can be prevented through caution and awareness, accidents still happen. In fact, deadly collisions involving large trucks are continuing to rise even though total road fatalities are on the decline.

If you’ve been in a truck accident that was the result of someone else’s negligence and you suffered injuries and other damages from the wreck, then you could use the help of a truck accident lawyer from Prince Law Firm. We’ll help you get the financial compensation you deserve while you focus on what’s most important—physical and emotional healing.

Recent NHTSA Reports

Looking at some of the most recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports, trends are appearing. While most are good, and overall road fatalities are decreasing, large truck accident fatalities are trending upwards. According to early estimates of 2019 data, most roadway fatalities have decreased.

Fatal accidents for drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and pedalcyclists are all down by varying amounts, but overall they are down by an average of three percent. The projection for the rest of the year estimated that about 36,120 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2019, which was down by one percent even though miles traveled that year increased by about one percent.

This good news about a decrease in fatalities, however, is brought down by the projected increase in fatalities relating to large trucks. According to 2018’s NHTSA crash report, fatal accidents involving at least one large truck rose by one percent from 2017 to 2018. The newest projections released this year are showing a similar increase in 2019.

How Can Large Truck Accidents Be Prevented?

In order to fully understand how to prevent accidents involving trucks over 10,000 pounds, it’s imperative to look at the most common causes of truck accidents. There are three main categories of causes of collisions involving large trucks—driver error, trucking company error, and manufacturer error. Here are some of the main causes of tractor trailer wrecks:

• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Overloaded trailer
• Unevenly loaded trailer
• Brake failure
• Bad tires

Most of these causes are the result of negligence and can easily be prevented with caution and awareness. Since tractor trailers are up to 30 times heavier than regular vehicles, they need more room to brake, and take more experience to maneuver. When a truck driver is distracted, too tired, or generally inexperienced, they can cause an accident with another car. The difference in size also contributes to the severity of the crash and leads to serious injuries and fatalities for anyone involved, but especially occupants of a passenger vehicle.

The main ways to prevent truck accidents and reducing the amount of fatalities caused by these accidents are to follow all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and maintain awareness behind the wheel. Truckers need to follow time driving restrictions, loading regulations, and remain vigilant while they are operating their large truck. Other motorists need to remain cautious around trucks, stay out of their blind spots, and give them ample space.

Prince Law Firm Can Help You With Your Truck Claim

Truck accidents can be devastating. They can cause debilitating injuries, serious damage, and can easily become fatal for anyone involved in the collision. You shouldn’t have to deal with these injuries and damages on your own. A truck accident lawyer from Prince Law Firm in Marion, IL, can help you get the compensation that you deserve so that you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

One of our lawyers will be able to take the time to look into what happened and what caused your accident so that we can hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. Contact our office today so that we can get started on your potential claim and figure out what you can recover.