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7 Truck Accident Facts That Will Render You Speechless
Accidents happen. Many are caused by trucks. Large trucks are much more likely to be involved in a fatal multi-vehicle crash than passenger vehicles. 1 in 10 highway crashes involve a large truck. Here are 7 truck accidents that would allow you to better understand the dangers of the road.
65% of truck accidents happen in travels of more than 50 miles
Long haul trips are a rising cause of trucking accidents that occur. Lengthy drives cause fatigue and, as a result, are more prone for accidents to happen. Truckers on average go on less than five hours of sleep while on the road driving. Adding sleep loss and fatigue, truckers drive impaired and operate under a capacity that does not command the full attention of the road and their surroundings.
Trucks carry 70% of goods transported across the United States of America.
Trucks are a major mode of transportation of goods within a country. In the United States for example, trucks are important in bringing goods from state to state. Planes and trains make the other 30 percent. Since trucks are easily accessible, on ground and can carry a large load – truckers work day in and day out to transport goods needed from their base to destination.
Over 3,000 fatal accidents involve trucks and are responsible for over 4,000 fatalities (2012).
In the US alone, 2012 saw trucking accidents that spanned multiple fatalities and over 100,000 injuries. If you take those statistics and break it on a daily basis, that means on average 11 accidents occur daily. Trucking accidents, many that can be avoided, occur. These accidents are testaments that a truck accident lawyer may be a good option for truck victims to gain the compensation and legal management needed.
Most fatal crashes occur in rural areas.
Rural areas see around 60% of large truck accidents. This is largely due to weaker infrastructure, less managed roads, unpaved highways and slower cleanup in rural areas compared the demands of maintenance for city roads.
Over 70% of fatalities happen to the occupants of the other vehicle
Due to the size of a truck, when an accident does occur, it’s usually the other vehicle that gets the heavier blow. This mainly causes deaths and fatalities of other vehicles rather than the truck itself.
Mechanical defect or malfunction is a leading cause of trucking accidents
Sometimes, it’s not the truck driver at fault but rather a mechanical defect that cause the drive to have an accident. Trucks undergo regular maintenance to ensure safety on the road, however, defects happen and the design of the truck can cause an unexpected trucking accident.
25% of crashes are triggered by other causes
Most truck accidents are caused by external factors such as drunk driving, employer negligibility, error and no-zone accidents. Many of these crashes can lead to wrongful death so it is important to be careful when on the road with trucks. Trucking companies also should be more aware and make sure to keep truck drivers and their rosters in tact before accidents occur.
Trucking accidents happen. The facts tell it all. The most important thing is to have the help you need when it happens.
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