Deadly Truck Accidents on the Rise

 Posted on July 04, 2017 in Personal Injury

The number of trucks involved in deadly accidents has risen 8 percent from 2014 to 2015, according to the latest data available. In 2015, according to the the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 415,000 accidents involving 18-wheelers reported to police.

Of these, 1 percent involved at least one fatality, and in 20 percent of the accidents, injuries were sustained. That means there were about 83,000 accidents last year involving tractor-trailers that caused injury.

As for the number of fatal crashes reported in 2015, the FMCSA reports that there were 3,598 deadly accidents involving 4,050 tractor-trailers. The 18-wheeler involvement rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by tractor-trailer trucks also rose by 8 percent from 1.34 to 1.45.

Why Are Truck Accidents Rising?

Various safety experts believe that increased demand coupled with thin margins have caused truck accidents to rise in recent years. Online shopping has created more of a need for truck drivers; however, the job remains low paying, which leads to high rates of turnover. Annual rates of turnover are estimated to be almost 100 percent.

Because of the turnover rates, many drivers are inexperienced. Drivers are also subject to similar compensation structures, which can force them to choose between productivity and safety. In some cases, drivers are rewarded for not taking breaks as required by regulations.

Truck Accidents Are Dangerous for Truckers Too

While passenger car drivers are at a safety disadvantage when getting into an accident with a large truck, the drivers also face increased safety risks. Deaths of 18-wheelers have risen 11.2 percent over the past 5 years. In 2015, 745 drivers killed on the road.

Contact a Lombard, IL Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyer

Truck accident cases are much more complex than a typical car accident cases, which do not always require the services of an attorney. With truck accident claims, an attorney can be helpful in determining the parties liable for your injuries as well as proving liability, which may require extensive knowledge of trucking regulations.

If you were in an fatal accident involving a truck, an attorney’s representation is highly advisable. Such cases involve difficult calculations and are often fought aggressively by the trucking company or its insurers.

The accomplished DuPage County large truck accident attorneys at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices can be reached at 630-932-9100. Call today for your free initial consultation.