Why Truck Accidents Have Such Deadly Consequences

Fatal truck accidents are more common than people may think, which is why precautions must be taken to keep roadways safe for the many truck drivers and drivers of passenger vehicles that share the road every year in the U.S. They happen nearly 11 times a day in the U.S., killing approximately 4,000 people every year. On top of that, there are more than 100,000 people injured every year in these preventable accidents. Since 2009, these accidents have been steadily increasing due to more goods being shipped on our country’s highways and pressure being placed on drivers to make it from destination to destination.

So why is there no outcry? It is believed that, in every other industry, if thousands of deaths occurred there would be a national outcry for change. However, because trucking deaths are scattered out and about in small numbers across the country, national news usually does not cover them and some even go unnoticed by seeing eyes. Trucking serves as the backbone of our economy, which is why government and industry are wary about changing laws as they stand today, or putting what they deem sometimes “unnecessary” regulations on drivers.

Why Are Truck Accidents so Deadly? 

Size: There are many reasons why you are more likely to suffer serious injuries or even death as a result of a truck accident. According to the U.S. DOT, a large truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while your average motor vehicle is only 4,000 pounds. They are also longer, which creates a massive size difference that can cause catastrophic injuries and death to passengers in the event of an accident. 

Maneuverability: Drivers are not able to navigate as well in trucks due to their heavy mass. A large truck needs about twice as much distance as cars to make the same maneuvers, in many instances. Something as simple as a sudden stop could cause a truck to jackknife down the middle, creating a dangerous scenario for anybody who comes into their path.

Stopping Distance: The stopping distance required is much longer than a passenger vehicle’s. The signal of brakes reaching the wheels takes more time, which could lead to a serious accident.

Both truck drivers and the drivers of passenger vehicles can be at fault in many of the trucking accidents that happen on our roadways today. If you believe that a truck driver or company was at fault for your trucking accident, call us today. We can help you in the midst of your claim and help you receive compensation for your injuries.