Truck Accident Statistics
In the last thirty years, the number of large trucks on American roadways has risen continually — as has the number of trucking-related accidents and injuries. United States Department of Transportation truck accident statistics show that, on average, someone is injured or killed every 16 minutes in a semi tractor-trailer or other large truck accident. Victims of truck accidents who have sustained a traumatic brain injury, a spinal cord injury, or other common injuries from truck accidents can be left incapacitated and unable to work or even care for themselves.
The immense size of commercial trucks is frequently a major factor in injuries and deaths resulting from trucking accidents. Semi trucks or commercial vehicles often weigh between 10,000 and 80,000 pounds, while the typical passenger vehicle weighs only 3,000 pounds. Given this considerable size difference, it is easy to see how the victims of truck crashes often suffer catastrophic injuries or even death.
Trucking Accident Statistics
- About 500,000 truck crashes occur each year in the United States
- Approximately 6,000 trucking accident fatalities occur annually
- 74% of fatalities were occupants of passenger vehicles
- 3% of fatalities were pedestrians
- 133,000 trucking accident injuries happen each year
- Of those injuries, approximately 26,000 are classified as catastrophic injuries, including brain injury and loss of limb
- Approximately 25% of trucks on American highways would currently fail a safety inspection
- The average cost of a trucking-related accident occurring between 1997 and 1999 was over $62,000
- Trucking accidents resulted in nearly 100,000 hours of traffic congestion nationwide in 2000
- About two-thirds of trucking accidents occur in rural areas, with about one-third occurring in urban regions
- Similarly, two-thirds of trucking accidents occur during daylight hours, while about one-third happen at night
- 78% of fatal trucking accidents occur during weekends
- Over 30% of trucking accidents are caused by insufficiently rested drivers
Find a Truck Accident Lawyer in Your Area
If you are involved in a trucking accident, contact an experienced attorney near you as soon as possible. It is imperative that evidence from truck crashes be preserved in order to accurately reconstruct the events leading to the crash and hold those at fault responsible.
Our Location
San Diego Office
6825 Flanders Dr
Ste 160
San Diego,
CA 92121
Closed Today
Open 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week
