How Common Are Truck Accidents?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, large trucks account for approximately 9% of all fatal crashes and 3% of all injury and property-related crashes. This may seem like a small amount, but consider that in 2017, 4,761 people were killed in big rig collisions, while 84,000 people were injured. Also, truck accidents tend to involve multiple-vehicle crashes: 82% of fatal trucking accidents involve multiple vehicles, compared with 62% for fatal passenger vehicle accidents.
Why Are Big Rig Accidents More Likely to Cause Injury Than Ones Involving Passenger Cars?
The simple answer is: physics. The average car weighs about 3,000 pounds, while a big rig carrying a full load can weigh more than 70,000 pounds. The differences in size and weight mean that the occupants of the passenger car are more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries in a crash.
At Fried Goldberg, we understand how dangerous tractor-trailer accidents can be. A truck accident can cause life-altering, permanent injuries. Our attorneys have decades of experience providing care and guidance for truck accident victims. Call us at 877-591-1801 for a consultation to see what your legal rights and options are.
What Makes Tractor-Trailers So Dangerous?
Tractor-trailers, also known as semi-trucks, can weigh more than 16 times the average passenger car. Semis are typically 53 feet long, 8 and a half feet wide, and over 13 feet high. They’re difficult to maneuver, require at least 350 feet to come to a complete stop, and often carry hazardous materials. A collision with a truck of this size can be disastrous, if not fatal.
What Are Common Truck Accident Injuries?
Truck accidents can involve a wide range of injuries and accident types. Common truck accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, broken bones, and other serious injuries that require immediate medical attention. Whiplash injuries are common in cases involving rear-end or t-bone accidents.
What If the Victim Is Not Able to File a Lawsuit Right Away?
Many truck accidents leave the victim unconscious, in a coma, or otherwise unable to make decisions on their own. Wrongful death is also an issue in fatal truck accidents. In 2018, 96% of people killed in accidents involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck were occupants of the passenger vehicle, not the truck.
As such, it may be necessary for a loved one or other person to initiate legal matters on behalf of the injured person.
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