Truck accidents are a devastating consequence of the negligence of truck drivers, trucking companies, truck manufacturers, etc. Negligence is the act of breaching the duty of care they owe to others.
Why do people breach the duty of care? Greed and convenience.
If people are daring enough to act negligently for their own benefit, victims should also be brave enough to take action against these negligent parties. They can punish them by filing a truck accident lawsuit.
By filing a lawsuit, victims can also recover the losses they incurred as a result of the accident.
The following losses can be recovered by filing a claim:
- Medical bills
- Property repair costs
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Mental distress
- Disfigurement
All the aforementioned losses can be categorized into two types: economic and non-economic.
Victims will need the help of experienced lawyers to recover these losses.
Many don’t realize how serious of an issue truck accidents are. If you are one of them, this blog post will change your mind.
Here are five statistics related to truck accidents that show the seriousness of the issue.
1. 5,700 fatal truck accidents occurred in 2021
It is quite shocking that 5,700 accidents occurred in a single year. This is an 18% increase from the previous year and a 49% increase in the last 10 years.
This shows that the issue has become far worse in recent years. Truck accidents account for 9% of total fatal accidents.
5,788 people lost their lives as a result of truck accidents in 2021.
2. In 2021, 117,300 trucks were involved in accidents that caused severe injuries
Not all truck accidents result in deaths. Most truck accidents cause serious injuries to victims.
The number of non-fatal accidents in 2021 is a 12% increase from the previous year.
Since trucks are large vehicles, they can cause catastrophic injuries to the victim. They will suffer a lot of losses as a result.
3. Other vehicle occupants contribute 72% to the total number of truck accident fatalities
Trucks are huge vehicles when compared to cars. So the truck driver will be pretty safe when an accident occurs, but the same can’t be said for other vehicle drivers.
Truck drivers account for 17% of truck accident fatalities. It is evident that other vehicle occupants should strive to stay safe. They should avoid blind spots and take other precautionary measures.
4. Texas leads the country in the number of truck accidents
Texas alone saw 19,424 truck accidents in 2022. There are many reasons why Texas leads the nation in truck accidents. The primary reason is the number of oil fields in the state.
Texas is the largest oil producer in the US. So naturally, the number of trucks in the state is high. This is why Texas is leading the country in the number of truck accidents.
5. 7.3% of fatal truck accidents were a result of speeding
Violation of traffic rules is a common cause of truck accidents. Trucks need more stopping distance than cars.
A fully loaded truck requires 600 feet to come to a complete stop when going at 65 KM/hr. Trucks cannot be stopped as you please. This is why it is advised to drive at an ideal speed.
Final thoughts
Truck accident is a serious issue that should be dealt with promptly. The government should take more serious actions to control truck accidents.
In addition to the government, truck accident victims should also take action. Victims can take action by filing a claim and holding the at-fault party accountable for their actions.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can help victims file a claim and recover their losses. Holding the negligent party accountable is the best way to control truck accidents.
