Conclusion
In 2004, over 5,190 people died and more than 116,000 people were injured in trucking accidents. Our highways are deadly. When tractor-trailers and cars collide in fatal trucking accidents, 91 percent of the deaths occurred in the cars. An average of about 5,000 trucks is involved in a fatal traffic accident each year. Almost 78% of these occurred during the hours of 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. Large trucks are more likely to be involved in a fatal multi-vehicle crash than are passenger vehicles.
Following is a list of data compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for 2005 pertaining to motor vehicle traffic crashes, crash victims and fatality and injury rates:
Crash Type Large Trucks (over 10,000 pounds) All Vehicles
Fatal 4,862 43,443
Injury 87,000 2,699,000
Property Damage Only 324,000 4,304,000
Total 415,862 7,046,443
Traffic Crash Victims
In Large Truck Crashes In All Vehicle Crashes
Killed 4,862 43,443
Injured 60,734 2,699,000
On the road, there's almost nothing more deadly than an out-of-control truck. As trucking companies are only required to maintain many of their records for six months, it is imperative to take action immediately if you have been a victim.
When victims die in fatal truck accidents, the survivors are often unsure how to handle the aftermath of the tragedy. When fatal truck accidents are caused by negligence on behalf of the truck driver, company, employer, contractor or the manufacturer, the decedent's family may have the legal right to seek compensation for the losses suffered in fatal truck accidents.
If you have been injured in an accident involving a truck, or a loved one has died in a truck crash or wreck, one of our experienced attorneys can assist you in obtaining a settlement to compensate you for your injuries or your loss.
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