Truck crashes are disproportionately deadly compared to other accidents due to the massive size and weight disparity. Collisions with trucks kill nearly 5,000 people each year in the United States and cause debilitating injuries like spinal cord damage, traumatic brain trauma, amputations, and severe burns. Understanding key data and trends can help motorists stay safe sharing the road with large trucks. The information also assists in determining liability when truck crashes produce injuries or wrongful death.
Keep reading for truck accident statistics: understanding the risks.
Truck Crash Data and Trends
- In 2019, there were 4,136 people killed in crashes involving large trucks. This was a 0.9% increase from 4,102 deaths in 2018 (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
- An estimated 145,000 people were injured in crashes involving large trucks in 2019 (NHTSA).
- 16% of all traffic fatalities resulted from collisions with large trucks in 2019. This percentage has been increasing over the past decade (NHTSA).
- 70% of deaths in large truck crashes were occupants of cars or other passenger vehicles in 2019 (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).
- Large trucks accounted for 8% of vehicles involved in fatal crashes but 11% of vehicle miles traveled in 2019, indicating trucks are overinvolved in fatalities based on their total mileage (IIHS).
- Truck crash fatalities increased by 46% from 2009 to 2019, compared to a 3% increase for all other vehicles. Truck VMT increased by only 21% over this timeframe (IIHS).
Causes and Associated Factors
Several issues contribute to the dangers posed by large trucks:
Truck Size and Weight
- Large trucks weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance. This size disparity increases the violence of impacts and resulting injuries.
- The heavier weight also means trucks require greater stopping distances, increasing the potential for rear-end crashes.
Driver Fatigue
- Truck drivers work long hours and drive long distances, leading to fatigue that slows reaction times and awareness.
- 20% of fatal truck crashes involve a fatigued driver (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents).
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
- Speeding is a factor in 23% of fatal truck crashes, compared to 18% for light vehicle crashes (IIHS).
- Trucks are also prone to aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating at high speeds.
Maintenance Issues
- Lack of maintenance on brakes, tires, and other components can cause truck crashes due to mechanical failure.
- Unsafe vehicle conditions were a factor in 7% of fatal truck accidents (FMCSA).
Jackknifing and Rollovers
- The high center of gravity increases risks of jackknifing (trailer folding against the cab) and rollovers, which are more likely to be fatal.
- 50% of fatal truck crashes involve rollovers (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).
Distracted Driving
- Distracted driving behaviors like texting, eating, or programming navigation while driving dramatically increase crash risks.
- Truck drivers often engage in these risky behaviors due to job pressures and lack of rest areas.
Impaired Driving
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving was involved in 4% of fatal truck crashes, still a significant number given the enormous vehicle size (NHTSA).
Challenging Driving Conditions
- Adverse weather, difficult terrain, congested traffic in urban areas all increase risks for truck crashes. Most fatal crashes occur on dry roads in rural areas (FMCSA).
Inexperienced Drivers
- Many companies hire drivers with minimal training and experience. Lack of defensive driving skills raises risks for new truckers.
Time Pressures
- Pressure to meet tight delivery windows can encourage truckers to speed, drive long hours without rest, and operate while fatigued.
Insufficient Safety Technology
- Trucks often lack safety features like collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings, and stability control that could prevent crashes.
All of these can help a truck accident lawyer Los Angeles win your case.
High-Risk Groups
Some groups face disproportionate risks in truck crashes:
Motorcyclists
- Motorcyclists account for 14% of all deaths in truck collisions despite only being 3% of registered vehicles.
Young Drivers
- 16-24 year old drivers are killed in truck crashes at almost 3 times their proportion of licensed drivers (IIHS).
- Inexperience and risk-taking behaviors like speeding and distracted driving contribute to their crash risks.
Occupants of Passenger Vehicles
- 66% of those killed in truck crashes are passengers of cars, SUVs, vans, and pickups (IIHS).
- Their vehicles provide less protection in high-energy crashes with large trucks.
Pedestrians and Bicyclists
- Large trucks pose enormous dangers to pedestrians and cyclists sharing the road. They account for 15% of pedestrians and 9% of bicyclists killed in traffic (NHTSA).
- Their small size and lack of protection results in almost certain fatalities when colliding with a truck.
Elderly Drivers
- Drivers over 65 face much higher risks of dying in truck crashes due to their frailty. They accounted for 18% of car occupants killed in truck collisions (IIHS).
- Age-related declines in vision, reflexes, and cognition contribute to crash risks.
Mitigating Truck Crash Risks
Several strategies can help reduce truck crash risks:
Truck Side Guards
Adding side underride guards to prevent passenger vehicles from sliding under trucks in side impacts could reduce fatalities by 21-44% (IIHS).
Lane Departure Warnings
Systems alerting drivers crossing lanes could address up to 7% of fatal truck crashes from lane departures (FMCSA).
Improved Driver Training
Better training and screening for commercial licenses could reduce the influence of inexperience and poor driving behaviors.
Electronic Stability Control
Rollover crashes could be reduced by 67-87% through required stability control systems helping drivers maintain control (IIHS).
Tire Pressure Monitoring
Direct tire pressure monitoring systems could mitigate crashes from blowouts and underinflated tires.
Reduced Speed Limits
Lower truck speed limits can enable safer responses to emergencies and reduce crash severity.
Blind Spot Monitoring
Sensors detecting vehicles in blind spots could prevent dangerous merger and lane change crashes.
Autonomous Emergency Braking
These systems automatically brake to prevent rear-end collisions, which account for 30% of truck crashes (IIHS).
Improved Truck Conspicuity
Reflective strips, LED lights, and other enhancements make trucks more visible to passenger vehicle drivers.
Drug and Alcohol Screening
More rigorous testing policies for trucking companies could reduce impaired driving risks. Zero tolerance policies are recommended.
Driver Wellness Programs
Initiatives promoting better sleep habits, exercise, healthy eating, and stress reduction for truckers could improve alertness.
Legal Help for Truck Accident Victims
Truck crashes often result in severe injuries like spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and burns. The complex legal, insurance, and liability issues involved make consulting an attorney essential.
The truck accident attorneys at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys have years of experience representing victims in Los Angeles and throughout California. We fight to obtain full and fair compensation enabling the medical care and financial support you need. Call us at 800-4THE-WIN (800-484-3946) for a free consultation with a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer on your truck injury claim. Our experienced lawyers will evaluate your case at no cost and advise you on the best path forward.
