It is not clear whether the gravel truck driver or the other vehicle driver is to blame for running the light at the intersection.
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On Tuesday night, one 18-wheeler crashed into another one, taking the life of the driver who was behind on Interstate 20 east of Dallas. Another crash had caused traffic to back up.
But what we do know is that crashes between commercial vehicles like this one and smaller ones are out of control.
We unfortunately see the aftermath here at Berenson Injury Law. We have represented countless victims of these crashes over the last 38 years. We help people recover their property damage, get their medical treatment and medical bills paid, and compensation for their other injuries like lost wages, scarring, and pain.
But we wish we could do something to make our roads safer.
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Due to their massive sizes and heavy weights, trucks can cause serious damage and death, should they be involved in an accident. To inform the public about traffic safety and to bring the dangers of truck collisions to light, various agencies throughout the U.S.—including the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)—have compiled the following statistics regarding the incidence of different types of truck accidents in the U.S.
SEMI & HEAVY TRUCK ACCIDENT STATISTICS
- Of the 15.5 million trucks in the U.S., nearly 13 percent are semis, big rigs, 18 wheelers and tractor trailers
- About 98 percent of all semi accidents result in at least one fatality
- Fatal tractor trailer accidents cost Americans more than $20 billion each year, $13.1 billion of which is the cost associated with loss of quality of life
- For every 100 million miles driven on U.S. road ways, there are 2.3 deaths and 60.5 injuries caused by big rigs
COMMERCIAL TRUCK ACCIDENT STATISTICS
- The average cost of a commercial truck accident is about $59,150
- Nearly 90 percent of commercial truck accidents are caused or worsened by some sort of human error—either on behalf of a truck driver, other drivers, other vehicle passengers, cyclists or pedestrians
- About 75 percent of commercial truck accidents are caused by drivers of other smaller passenger vehicles, rather than the truck driver
- Driver fatigue is responsible for roughly 30 percent of all commercial truck accidents
TRUCK ACCIDENT INJURY STATISTICS
- About 130,000 individuals are injured each year in truck collisions
- About 22 percent of all truck accidents result in injuries
- In most truck accidents (about 70 percent), there are no injuries or deaths—only property damage
FIRE TRUCK ACCIDENT STATISTICS
- On average, there are nearly 2,500 fire truck accidents each year in the U.S.
- Of the 21 fatalities reported from these accidents, 6 were occupants of a fire truck
- Nearly 1,100 people were injured or killed in fire truck accidents last year
- In 1,882 fire truck collisions, only property damage occurred
GET HELP FOR YOUR INJURIES
If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of truck accident, or if your loved one has died in a truck crash, contact us to speak with a highly qualified personal injury lawyer. Because of the complexities in truck crash cases, it is important to hire an attorney who has experience handling truck accidents claims, specifically. People often confuse auto accident attorneys for truck accident attorneys. It is important to note, however, that choosing the right attorney, with the right experience, can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
For more information about truck accident statistics or to speak with a qualified attorney about your potential claim, contact truck accident lawyers today.
___ show that __ people lost their lives in truck accidents last year, a big increase over the previous year.
The usual causes are speeding, negligent driving, distracted driving, and sleep deprivation.
Trucking companies should do more to protect the driving public from bad drivers.
A personal injury lawyer will immediately investigate the crash, secure evidence, and file suit when necessary to hold the trucking company responsible for preventable injuries caused by their negligent drivers.