Articles, Truck Accidents

With trucking accidents on the rise, commercial truck accident stats show we need to understand the causes and safety measures to save lives. This in-depth report gives you the stats, the main culprits and an action guide to trucking safety in 2024.

If you have suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence, Sharif Gray at Broughton Injury Law can help. We have won millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Call Sharif at (804) 915-1611 or contact him online to schedule a free consultation. We will get justice for you.

Quick Hits

• Trucking stats show big truck crashes are up 26% from 2020 to 2021 so we need to up our safety game and our vigilance on the roads.
• Driver behavior (fatigue and distracted driving), inadequate vehicle maintenance and bad weather are the main culprits of truck accidents so maintenance schedules and regulatory compliance are key. The crash report sampling system gives us the data to address these issues.
• Safety measures and regulations like hours of service rules, mandatory rest breaks and electronic logging devices help prevent trucking accidents and keep truck drivers and other road users safe.

Trucking Accident Stats and Trends

A disturbing trend has emerged over the past few years with truck accident stats showing a big increase in big truck crashes. The severity of these crashes makes it even more urgent to take action. There was a 26% increase in big truck crashes from 2020 to 2021 so this is a big problem. The fatality analysis reporting system gives us the data to understand this trend.

Further digging into commercial truck accident stats paints a grim picture. 2021 saw a 50% increase in fatalities from big truck crashes from 2009 with 4,714 fatalities. This is scary so we need to be more vigilant and strict with our safety protocols to stop this trend.

Big Truck Crashes Up 26% From 2020 to 2021

The number of big truck crashes in the US increased from 2020 to 2021. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) there were 523,796 big truck crashes in 2021 up 26% from 415,444 in 2020. This is likely due to the increase in trucks on the road as the economy recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those crashes 310,000 were property damage only, 101,000 were injury and 4,444 were fatal. This is a big problem so we need to up our safety game.

Fatalities and Injuries

The human cost of truck accident fatalities is clear in the number of fatal truck crashes. Most of those who die in these crashes are not truck occupants but passenger vehicle drivers, 67-68% of the time. This shows how vulnerable passenger vehicle occupants are in big truck crashes.

Not only is the death toll high but the number of injuries is also scary. In 2018 there were 112,000 injury crashes involving big trucks and 414,000 property damage only crashes. The outcomes of these crashes and the property damage is brutal.

Causes of Accident

While the stats are scary, understanding the causes is key to prevention. Driver fatigue is a major contributor to these accidents. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the crash report sampling system says driver fatigue is involved in fatal crashes and accounts for around 4,600 semi-truck fatal accidents each year.

Vehicle maintenance issues and distracted driving also play a big role in trucking accidents. Mechanical failures due to poor maintenance can cause loss of vehicle control and accounts for 29% of truck accidents. Distracted driving killed at least 2,841 people in 2018 so it’s a big deal on the road.

Fatal Crashes Happen Most in Rural Areas

Fatal big truck crashes happen more in rural areas than urban areas. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 55% of fatal truck crashes in 2021 happened in rural areas and 45% in urban areas. Rural roads are tougher for truck drivers, dark roads, poor lighting, limited visibility and higher likelihood of driver fatigue. Rural roads also have higher speed limits which makes crashes worse. All these factors combine to make rural areas more deadly.

Big Trucks vs Passenger Vehicles

The size and weight difference between big trucks and passenger vehicles is a big factor in trucking accidents. Big trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded and passenger vehicles weigh between 2,500 to 4,200 pounds. The weight difference makes crashes worse when a big truck is involved especially for big truck occupants.

Truck accident stats show that big trucks are more involved in highway and rural road crashes. Passenger vehicle crashes happen on all types of roads including urban streets. The size, weight and location of the vehicles is a big factor in the severity and frequency of the accident.

Severity

The size and weight of big trucks is a big factor in trucking accidents. Fully loaded semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and can cause big damage and severe injuries upon impact.

A crash between a smaller passenger vehicle and a fully loaded semi-truck can be a fatal truck accident. In fact the size and weight difference between the two vehicles can cause severe injuries and sometimes death. So the severity of big truck crashes can’t be emphasized enough.

Occupant Protection

While truck accidents are bad, the danger to passenger vehicle occupants is worse. The limited protection for passenger vehicle occupants makes them more likely to get injured or killed in a trucking accident. In 2021 97% of those killed in a crash involving a passenger vehicle and a big truck were occupants of the passenger vehicle. This means passenger vehicle occupants are more vulnerable in these types of crashes.

The typical injuries in a trucking accident are traumatic brain injuries to back and neck injuries like whiplash, herniated discs and spinal fractures. These severe injuries proves the higher risk to truck occupants and passenger vehicle occupants.

Crash Locations

Where truck accidents happen is important to understand the frequency and severity. Big trucks are more likely to be involved in accidents on highways and rural roads, 57% of all fatal crashes involving big trucks happen in rural areas.

Also most trucking accidents happen during the day, between 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. These factors adds to the risks of big truck accidents.

Passenger Vehicles Involved

Passenger vehicles are the most common type of vehicle involved in crashes with big trucks. According to FMCSA 67% of fatalities in 2021 crashes involving big trucks were occupants of passenger vehicles. This is because passenger vehicles are more vulnerable, they are lighter and less robust compared to big trucks that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. There are more passenger vehicles on the road so the likelihood of them being involved in a crash with a big truck is higher. This stat proves the importance of passenger vehicle drivers to be cautious and aware when sharing the road with big trucks.

Trucking Accidents Factors

Beyond the main factors we’ve mentioned earlier the truck driver plays a big role and there are other factors to consider. These are driver behavior, vehicle maintenance and external conditions. All these factors combine to create a complex and tricky situation that contributes to the occurrence and severity of trucking accidents.

Behaviors like fatigue, distraction and impairment contributes to the frequency of truck accidents. Inadequate vehicle maintenance can cause mechanical failures which can lead to accidents. And external conditions like bad weather and road condition can also increase the risk of trucking accidents.

Driver Behavior

Truck drivers behavior is a big contributor to trucking accidents. Frequent behaviors such as fatigue and distraction plays a big role in causing these accidents. In fact the most common driver behaviors that contributes to trucking accidents are:

• Fatigue
• Distraction
• Speeding
• Aggressive driving
• Failure to obey traffic laws
• Alcohol or drug impairment

These behaviors can have a big impact on a truck driver’s performance and increases the risk of crashes.

These behaviors can lead to fatal accidents, that’s why proper driver training and strict regulations is important. By addressing these behaviors we can reduce the risk of trucking accidents and have safer roads for all.

Vehicle Maintenance

Big truck maintenance is important to prevent mechanical failures which can lead to accidents. Common mechanical issues are:

• Brake failure
• Tire failure
• Faulty brakes
• Broken safety devices
• Transmission failure

These can lead to loss of control of the truck and increase the risk of a crash.

Commercial truck maintenance is recommended and should be done every 15,000 miles. This should include:

• Check lights
• Check brakes
• Check tires
• Check fluid levels
• Change oil and filters

Following these maintenance standards can reduce the risk of mechanical failures and accidents.

External Conditions

Big truck crashes can be affected by weather and road conditions which are external factors that can increase the risk of trucking accidents. For example driving on icy roads can be hazardous and increase the risk of accidents. Fog in particular can reduce visibility and make it challenging for truck drivers to see the road and other vehicles and increase the risk of accidents.

Besides weather conditions, poor road conditions can also contribute to accidents. Some of these are:

• Poor road design
• Missing signage
• Damaged guardrails
• Poor drainage

Factors like improper truck braking and speeding in these conditions can also cause accidents.

Male Truckers Are More Likely to Be in a Fatal Accident Than Female Truckers

Male truck drivers are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than female truckers. According to NHTSA, in 2021, 91% of truck drivers involved in fatal crashes were male, 9% were female. This gap may be due to various factors including difference in driving habits and experience. And since males are the majority of the trucking workforce, this could also contribute to the higher number of fatal crashes among male truckers. Understanding these dynamics is important to develop targeted safety interventions.

Safety Measures and Regulations to Prevent Trucking Accidents

Truck accident prevention is the focus of many safety measures and regulations. These includes hours of service rules, mandatory rest breaks and electronic logging devices. Each plays a big role in keeping truck drivers and other road users safe.

Hours of service rules limits how long a truck driver can be on the road without a break. Mandatory rest breaks is necessary to ensure truck drivers take regular breaks which helps prevent fatigue and road safety. Electronic logging devices helps enforce compliance with hours of service rules by tracking driving hours and rest periods.

Hours of Service

Truck accident statistics shows the importance of hours of service rules which limits the time a truck driver can be on the road without rest. According to these rules:

• Truck driver can drive for a maximum of 11 hours continuously
• Truck driver cannot log more than 60 hours in 7 consecutive days
• Truck driver cannot log more than 70 hours in 8 consecutive days

Violating these regulations can result to suspension of driver’s license and heavy fines. So adherence to these rules is important to keep truck drivers and other road users safe.

Mandatory Rest Breaks

Truck accident fatalities shows the importance of mandatory rest breaks to ensure truck drivers are well rested and alert on duty. These breaks helps to prevent fatigued driving which is a major factor in accidents by ensuring proper rest and compliance with hours of service rules.

Violating mandatory rest break regulations in the trucking industry can result to penalties such as fines, suspension of driving privileges and imprisonment. So these breaks are not only good for driver’s health but also for all road users.

Electronic Logging Devices

Electronic logging devices helps in trucking safety. They:

• Enforce hours of service rules by tracking driving hours and rest periods
• Automatically logs driving time
• Provides accurate logbook information
• Adhere to the prescribed hours that drivers can drive and work daily

Using Electronic Logging Devices results to:

• Better record-keeping
• Lower crash rates
• Fewer injuries
• Reduced fatigue
• Compliance to hours-of-service rules
• Overall road safety

Indeed, studies shows a significant decrease in trucking accidents and hours-of-service violations due to the use of these devices.

Safety Technologies

Implementing safety technologies can help reduce large truck crashes and fatalities. Some of the most effective safety technologies are:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Systems: These systems prevents rollover crashes by applying brakes to individual wheels to maintain vehicle stability.
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Systems: LDW systems warns the driver if they unintentionally drift out of their lane to prevent side-swipe and run-off-road crashes.
• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Systems: AEB systems can detect impending collision and applies brakes to avoid or mitigate the impact.
• Driver Monitoring Systems: These systems can detect driver fatigue or distraction and provides alerts to prevent accidents.

According to FMCSA, these safety technologies can reduce large truck crashes. For example, a study by FMCSA found that ESC systems can reduce rollover crashes by up to 50%. By integrating these technologies the trucking industry can be safer and protect truck drivers and other road users.

Tips to Share the Road with Large Trucks

Awareness and safe driving is key to prevent truck accident when sharing the road with large trucks. Maintaining a safe following distance and being aware of a truck’s blind spots are two of the key things to consider. By doing so we can reduce accidents and have safer roads for all.

When driving behind a large truck, the safe following distance is at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front to allow time to react in case of sudden stops or changes in traffic. Large commercial trucks also have blind spots in front, rear and sides of the vehicle where the truck driver can’t see other vehicles. Other drivers should avoid these areas to prevent accidents.

Safe Following Distance

It’s important to keep a safe distance when tailing a large truck to prevent truck accident. The recommended safe distance is at least one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length. This distance allows for safe braking and preparation for the truck driver’s unexpected actions.

Not maintaining a safe distance can increase the chances of accidents especially when the truck needs to brake suddenly or encounter an unexpected obstacle. All drivers should keep a safe distance to allow for safe braking and enough time to react to potential hazards.

Blind Spots

Knowing a truck’s blind spots and avoiding them can prevent accidents due to limited visibility. Large commercial trucks have areas of limited visibility all around the vehicle. According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the blind spot on each side of the truck is:

• 20 feet ahead of the cab in the front
• 30 feet behind the trailer in the rear
• one lane width from the side of the truck on the right side
• two lanes width from the side of the truck on the left side.

Truck drivers can manage their blind spots and reduce accidents by:

• Using convex mirrors
• Installing blind spot detection systems
• Adjusting their mirrors properly
• Being vigilant on the road

By knowing and respecting these blind spots both truck drivers and other road users can reduce accidents.

Conclusion

The rise of trucking accidents is a wake up call for us to be more safety conscious and vigilant on our roads. Knowing the factors that contribute to these accidents and following safety measures and regulations can reduce accidents. As we share the road let’s keep a safe distance, be aware of blind spots and promote a safety and responsible culture. Every life saved on our roads is a victory for all of us.

FAQs

How often do trucking accidents happen?

Trucking accidents are not frequent but still thousands of people die and get injured every year. In 2021 for example 5,788 people died in truck crashes.

Why are trucking accidents a big deal?

Trucking accidents are a big deal because trucks are much bigger and heavier than cars so the impact during collision is much stronger. The big difference in size and weight can cause severe injuries and damage.

What’s the number one cause of semi accidents?

The number one cause of semi accidents is driver error which accounts for the biggest portion of semi-truck accidents. It’s one of the most common cause of crashes.

Which state has the most semi truck accidents?

The state with the most semi truck accidents is Texas with 513 fatal truck accident crashes involving commercial trucks in 2020 alone. This resulted to 581 deaths and 1,245 severe injuries.

What are the common causes of trucking accidents?

Trucking accidents are caused by driver fatigue, distracted driving and vehicle maintenance issues. Truck drivers should prioritize rest, avoid distractions and ensure proper vehicle maintenance to prevent accidents.

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If Sharif can be of help to you, please do not hesitate to call him at (804) 915-1611 or contact him online to schedule a free consultation. We will get justice for you.