How Many Semi Truck Accidents Per Year?

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Brenton Armour
UX/UI Designer at - Adobe

Brenton Armour, the visionary founder and lead attorney at InjuryLawsuitHelper, boasts an impressive 15-year track record in personal injury law. His remarkable expertise spans cases...Read more

Semi-trucks are an essential part of the transportation industry, moving goods and products across the country. They are massive vehicles that are known for their power and size. However, with their size comes a significant risk of accidents. The question that often arises is, how many semi-truck accidents occur each year?

The answer to this question is not a simple one. There are multiple factors to consider, such as the number of trucks on the road, driver behavior, and weather conditions. However, it’s a question worth exploring as it can help us understand the risks associated with these vehicles and how we can work to minimize them. In this article, we will delve into the statistics of semi-truck accidents per year and what can be done to mitigate them.

How many semi truck accidents per year? According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 4,889 large trucks and buses involved in fatal crashes in 2017. Additionally, there were 107,000 injury crashes and 363,000 property damage crashes involving large trucks or buses. This translates to an average of 13 large truck and bus crash fatalities per day.

How Many Semi Truck Accidents Per Year?

How Many Semi Truck Accidents Per Year?

Semi-truck accidents are a common occurrence on our roads and highways. These accidents can cause serious injuries and fatalities, as well as significant property damage. As such, it’s important to understand how many semi-truck accidents occur each year.

Statistics on Semi Truck Accidents

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 4,889 large trucks and buses involved in fatal crashes in 2017. This represents a 9% increase from the previous year. Of these accidents, 4,455 involved large trucks specifically.

Additionally, there were 107,000 injury crashes involving large trucks in 2017, representing a 4% increase from 2016. Finally, there were 363,000 property damage only crashes involving large trucks in 2017.

The Causes of Semi Truck Accidents

There are many factors that contribute to semi-truck accidents. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Driver fatigue
  • Speeding
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Poor vehicle maintenance
  • Overloading or improperly loading cargo
  • Distracted driving

The Impact of Semi Truck Accidents

Semi-truck accidents can have a significant impact on those involved. Victims may suffer from serious injuries or even death, while property damage can be extensive. Additionally, these accidents can lead to significant financial costs for those involved, including medical bills and lost wages.

The Benefits of Improving Truck Safety

Improving truck safety can have a number of benefits, including:

  • Reducing the number of accidents and fatalities on our roads
  • Lowering the cost of insurance for trucking companies
  • Reducing the amount of time and money spent on accident investigations and lawsuits
  • Improving the reputation of the trucking industry

How to Improve Truck Safety

There are a number of steps that can be taken to improve truck safety, including:

  • Implementing stricter regulations on driver hours of service to reduce fatigue
  • Enforcing speed limits and other traffic laws more rigorously
  • Improving vehicle maintenance requirements
  • Providing better training for drivers
  • Investing in new safety technologies, such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning systems

Semi Trucks vs. Passenger Vehicles

It’s worth noting that semi-truck accidents can be particularly dangerous due to the size and weight of these vehicles. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 97% of the people killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck in 2017 were occupants of the passenger vehicle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, semi-truck accidents are a serious problem on our roads and highways. By understanding the causes and impact of these accidents, we can work to improve truck safety and reduce the number of accidents each year. This will help to protect both truck drivers and other road users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions people have about semi truck accidents and the statistics surrounding them:

How many semi truck accidents occur each year?

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 4,889 fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses in 2019. This is a slight decrease from the previous year, but still a concerning number of accidents. In addition to fatalities, there were also over 150,000 injuries reported from crashes involving large trucks and buses.

It is important to note that not all of these crashes involved semi trucks specifically, but they do make up a significant portion of the large trucks on the road. The FMCSA reports that there were over 4 million registered semi trucks in the United States in 2018, so even a small percentage of accidents can add up to a significant number.

What are some common causes of semi truck accidents?

There are many factors that can contribute to semi truck accidents, but some of the most common include driver fatigue, distracted driving, improper maintenance or loading of the truck, and speeding. Because semi trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, they can cause much more damage in a crash. This is why it is especially important for truck drivers to be well-rested, focused, and following all safety regulations.

Other factors that can contribute to semi truck accidents include poor weather conditions, road construction, and other drivers on the road who may not be paying attention or driving recklessly. Overall, it is important for everyone on the road to be aware of the dangers posed by semi trucks and to take steps to prevent accidents from happening.

Are semi truck accidents more likely to occur on highways or city streets?

While semi truck accidents can happen anywhere, they are more likely to occur on highways and other major roads. This is because semi trucks are designed for long-distance travel and are often carrying cargo from one state to another. However, semi trucks do sometimes need to navigate city streets and other urban areas, which can also be dangerous if drivers are not careful.

In general, it is important for semi truck drivers to be aware of their surroundings at all times and to adjust their driving style as needed based on the road conditions. This can help reduce the risk of accidents and keep everyone on the road safer.

What should I do if I am in an accident with a semi truck?

If you are involved in an accident with a semi truck, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention if needed. Even if you feel fine, it is a good idea to get checked out by a doctor to make sure there are no underlying injuries.

After seeking medical attention, you should contact a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling semi truck accident cases. These types of accidents can be complicated and may involve multiple parties, so having a knowledgeable legal advocate on your side can be very helpful in ensuring you receive fair compensation for your damages.

What can be done to prevent semi truck accidents?

There are many steps that can be taken to prevent semi truck accidents, including better training for drivers, stricter regulations on hours of service and other safety measures, and improved maintenance and inspection programs. In addition, other drivers on the road can help prevent accidents by being aware of the dangers posed by semi trucks and giving them plenty of space on the road.

Ultimately, preventing semi truck accidents will require a coordinated effort from all parties involved, including trucking companies, regulators, law enforcement, and other drivers. By working together, we can help reduce the number of accidents and keep everyone on the road safer.

In conclusion, semi truck accidents are a serious concern on our roads. With an estimated 500,000 accidents occurring each year, it is important for all drivers to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions to avoid these accidents.

While some accidents may be attributed to driver error or negligence, others may be caused by factors outside of a driver’s control. This highlights the need for continued research and innovation in the trucking industry to improve safety measures and prevent accidents from occurring.

Ultimately, it is up to all drivers, both professional truck drivers and everyday commuters, to prioritize safety on the road. By staying vigilant, following traffic laws, and practicing defensive driving techniques, we can work together to reduce the number of semi truck accidents and keep our roads safe for everyone.

Brenton ArmourUX/UI Designer at - Adobe

Brenton Armour, the visionary founder and lead attorney at InjuryLawsuitHelper, boasts an impressive 15-year track record in personal injury law. His remarkable expertise spans cases from minor injuries to devastating accidents, earning him a sterling reputation as a trusted and passionate advocate for justice. Brenton's unwavering dedication to his clients has cemented his position as a sought-after personal injury attorney.

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