Trucking Fatalities Continue to Increase

There are significant differences between accidents involving passenger vehicles and accidents involving commercial trucks. Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80000 pounds. Due to their significant weight and size, trucks put passengers at a much higher risk of injuries and fatalities when colliding with ordinary passenger vehicles.

Victims of truck accidents have a much higher risk of being catastrophically injured or suffering a fatality than in other accidents. Additionally, commercial vehicles are typically owned and operated by large corporations. These corporations may have significant resources to defend claims. Many have teams of attorneys ready to defend the trucking company and avoid paying a fair settlement to accident victims who deserve it.

In the last few years, more and more people have been ordering goods online, requiring more truckers on the road. With more trackers traveling more miles, average driver and passenger vehicles are at an increased risk of getting into an accident with a commercial vehicle.

Many of us feel uneasy when driving next to a large semi-truck, which is entirely irrational. Multiple statistics show that trucks are much more dangerous than ordinary passenger cars. Of all motor vehicle accidents that resulted in one or more fatalities, 74% involved a large truck. Over the years, the number of truck accidents has been increasing. Between 2009 and 2019, commercial truck accidents increased by over 40%. The number of traffic accidents that occur now is more than double the figure from 2009. In fact, the last time we saw a decline in truck accident injuries in the United States was 2013 when looking at year-over-year data. As a result, the outlook for 2023 could include more truck accidents if the current trends continue in the same direction.

Why has the number of truck accidents increased over the last 10 years? There is no definitive answer, but multiple factors might contribute to the increased number of trucks on the road, truck accidents, and truck fatalities. In the last 10 years, the overall miles driven by truck drivers and commercial truck registrations have increased. If you have driven on an interstate highway in North Carolina recently, you may have noticed that the roads are becoming more congested due to the increased demand for goods delivered by trucks.

Ground freight has seen a significant surge in demand and the last few years because more consumers are ordering goods online to be shipped to their homes or businesses instead of shopping and retail stores. The more trucks on the road, the more vehicles drive with huge blind spots that can cause truck accidents. Additionally, as technology continues to increase, more drivers are addicted to texting, watching videos, and talking on the phone while driving, making them more distracted.

Truck drivers are under tremendous pressure to meet their deadlines. Companies may place unreasonable deadlines on truck drivers, making it nearly impossible for them to meet their deadlines unless they violate safety regulations. For example, truck drivers are required by federal law to take mandatory breaks to rest so they do not drive while fatigued, which increases the likelihood of accidents occurring.

Unfortunately, truck drivers might need to pay more attention to these rules and take necessary breaks. They may lie in their logbooks, stating they have taken breaks when they have driven through their breaks. In other cases, truck drivers use uppers to try to stay awake, making them more at risk of accidents. Drivers who drive while distracted, eating, or fatigued are more likely to cause accidents.

If you or your loved one have been involved in a commercial truck accident, the steps you take after the accident are important to your legal claim. Trucking companies in insurance companies who provide insurance for them have significant resources. After receiving medical attention, you should reach out to an aggressive attorney to build your case and level the playing field.

The attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, have been fighting for victims of traffic accidents to secure the compensation they need and deserve for decades. We understand that personal injury claims can be complex and challenging, especially those involving commercial trucks. Our empathetic attorneys know that suffering a devastating injury can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. That's why we fight to ensure that our clients are adequately protected. If you or your loved one have been seriously injured in a truck accident, contact the Charlotte personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, to schedule a free consultation.