National Truck Accident Statistics

Accidents involving commercial trucks occur when large trailers collide with other vehicles or pedestrians.   Over 500,000 truck accidents occur each year in the United States.  Of these total truck accidents are a high number of deaths which total approximately 5,000 each year. One out of every eight traffic fatalities involves a trucking collision.  The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) releases data about truck accidents every year.

National Truck Accident Statistics in 2008

The latest statistics from 2008 include:

1. There were 4,229 people that lost their lives in truck accidents throughout the U.S. of these, 3,139 were occupants of other vehicles and 413 were non-occupants (pedestrians or cyclists)
2. 430 truck occupants lost their lives in single-vehicle truck accidents
3. 247 truck occupants lost their lives in multi-vehicle truck accidents
4. 68 percent of all fatal truck accidents happened in rural areas, and not in cities.
5. 66 percent of all fatal truck accidents occurred in the day as opposed to the night

$610 billion was made in trucking revenues this past year and the revenues are estimated to double by the year 2015.  This is good news for the economy, but bad news for any other vehicle or passenger on the road with these commercial trucks.  Tractor trailer accidents involving fatalities to individuals of passenger vehicles occur 98 percent of the time.

The average cost of truck crashes between 1997 and 1999 was $62,613.  Accidents involving large commercial trucks are not only deadly, but can be very costly.  They also cost many commuters many hours of their daily lives.  According to the 2000 census, trucking accidents alone accounted for 98,000 hours of congestion nationwide.

Efforts need to be taken to reduce this high number of truck accident fatalities.  Statistics show that negligence on behalf of the semi truck driver and company is often the cause of many truck accidents.  Unsafe semi-truck driving and oversized big rig loads put the public in extreme danger, causing personal injury and wrongful death. Another cause of negligence is because of driver fatigue.  In a recent survey, almost 20% of truck drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel at least once in the previous three months.  Truck drivers are driving too many hours and not getting the proper amount of sleep.

Truck accident cases often involve greater injuries and pose legal problems and concerns not found in most car accident cases.  These reasons and more are why it is important to seek legal help from an truck accident attorney with experience and proven expertise in litigating truck accident cases.