After reaching an historic low in 2009, deaths and injuries from truck accidents are on the rise. Why the turn for the worse?
According to a startling report from the American Association for Justice, lax practices are forcing a growing number of unsafe trucks on the road, which are often driven by overworked, underpaid and poorly trained drivers.
Meanwhile, outdated insurance laws fail to provide adequate coverage for those involved in a car-truck accident. Since trucks move nearly 70 percent of our nation’s freight, you should know the facts and what is being done to better protect all Americans.
BY THE NUMBERS
3,757 people were killed in commercial vehicle collisions in one year
In 2011, 3,757 people died in collisions with trucks, an 11.2 percent increase over 2009. There were 88,000 injuries reported during the same period.
Source: Commercial Motor Vehicle Facts, March 2013, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Only $750,000 in liability coverage is required
Motor carriers are only required to maintain $750,000 in insurance per crash. Yet, damages from a fatal crash can exceed $4 million, leaving injured motorists and taxpayers to pay the difference.
Source: Study Shows Trucking Companies Underinsured, Trucking Alliance
98% of people killed were in the car, not the 18 wheeler
Ninety-eight percent of vehicle occupants killed in crashes involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck in 2011 were occupants of the passenger vehicles.
Source: Large Trucks Fatality Facts, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
10% of highway deaths are due to these wrecks
One in 10 highway deaths occur in a crash involving a large truck, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety compiles extensive information on truck accidents.
— Association of Americans For Justice