National truck accident statistics:
- Large commercial trucks, also known as 18-wheelers, semis, and tractor-trailers, are responsible for 12 percent of all traffic fatalities.
- Only 3 percent of all registered vehicles are trucks and trucks account for only 7 percent of vehicle miles traveled.
- In 2003 – the most recent year in which significant statistical
comparisons were compared among multi-governmental agencies – it was found
that:
- Large trucks are more likely to be involved in a fatal multi-vehicle crash than are passenger vehicles.
- Most fatal truck accidents occurred in rural areas (68 percent) during the daytime (66 percent) and on weekdays (78 percent).
- Only 1 percent of fatal truck accidents were DUI-related on the part of the truck driver compared to other types of fatal crashes. Higher DUI occurrences are 22 percent for drivers of passenger vehicles and light trucks and 29 percent for motorcyclists.
- About 27 percent of all large truck drivers involved in fatal truck accidents had at least one prior speeding conviction compared to 19 percent of the passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes.
- The initial point of impact at time of collision happened 2,354 times (50 percent) in the front of vehicle; compared to 382 times on the left side, 188 times on the right side, and 720 times in the rear.
- 608 large trucks were involved in fatal truck accidents causes by rollovers.
- Large trucks accounted for 9 percent of the vehicles in total fatal vehicle crashes nationwide, but only 4 percent of the vehicles were involved in injury and property-damage-only crashes. Of the total number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes, 76 percent were combination trucks.
- Regardless of crash severity, the majority of vehicles in single and two-vehicle crashes were going straight prior to the crash.
- The majority of persons killed or injured in traffic crashes were drivers (65 percent), followed by passengers (31 percent), pedestrians (3 percent), and pedal cyclists (2 percent).
Texas truck accident statistics
- In 2006 in Texas, there were 16,881 large trucks involved in non-fatal crashes, up from 15,175 in 2005. California was second in the nation, with 12,329.
- In 2006, 446 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in Texas.
- That same year, 498 people were killed in accidents with large trucks on Texas roadways. The majority – 369 – were occupants of other vehicles.
- As for Texas non-fatal injuries, 6,854 large trucks were involved in such accidents in 2006.
- Large trucks on Texas highways that transport Hazmat materials were involved in the fewest crashes, with 66 large trucks. That is a steep drop from 2005, when there were 274 such crashes.
Sources for statistics: Fatality Analysis Reporting System; National Center for Statistics and Analysis; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; U.S. Department of Transportation; Texas Department of Transportation; Motor Carrier Management Information System.
The Texas truck accident attorneys of Barry & Loewy, LLP have awarded clients significant monetary damages in their cases, damages that help pay for vehicle and property damage, medical expenses, pain and suffering, any lost work or lost wages, wrongful deaths, and many other elements.
Barry & Loewy, LLP has years of experience handling trucking-related lawsuits in throughout the state Texas. Our attorneys are available for free consultations on any potential lawsuit or case involving a trucking accident or related dispute.
For more information on trucking accidents in Texas, please review our:
Trucking Accidents page
Trucking Accidents Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs)
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please fill out our
online Vehicle Accident Evaluation
Form.
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