Truck Accidents on the Rise Pose a Threat to Public Safety

The Rise in Truck Accidents

There was a 48% increase in truck crash fatalities from 2009 to 2019. Nearly 5,000 people lost their lives in truck crashes in 2020, averaging 14 fatalities per day. The number of truck-related crash injuries skyrocketed by 115%, averaging 436 injuries per day and totaling 146,000 in 2020. These statistics represent the disruption of hundreds of thousands of lives every year due to truck crashes.

During this time frame, there were new technologies in occupant protection and the widespread integration of active safety technologies in the automobile market. It is essential for all road users, including drivers of commercial trucks, passenger cars, bikers, and cyclists, to be aware of where crashes commonly occur and who is involved. This awareness can help in recognizing and addressing dangerous situations on the road.

• Drivers are often directed to take the shortest routes instead of the safest ones, resulting in 75% of truck crashes occurring on non-interstate roads.
• Intersections with four-way stops account for 27% of all crashes.
• Rural roads are the location for 57% of the country’s fatal truck accidents.
• Among truck collisions, 58% occur at the front, 19% at the back, and 15% at the side.
• According to a 2019 state-by-state map, coastal states generally have lower truck-involved fatality rates, typically under 10%.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Crash Statistics Summary reported that in 2019, there were 5,082 fatalities from crashes involving large trucks. This number slightly decreased to 4,988 in 2020 and then increased to 5,701 in 2021. In 2022, the number decreased to 5,230, which is still 148 more deaths than in 2019, representing a 3% increase.

What Factors Contribute to the Rise in Truck Accidents?

The number of crashes, fatalities, and injuries associated with large trucks decreased considerably from 1999 to 2009. Subsequently, there was a notable increase in these figures until 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic reduced road traffic, causing the trend to stabilize. Several factors contributed to the upward trend in rates:

Infrastructure

As the effects of the 2008 Recession began to diminish, vehicles from a recovering economy navigated congested and poorly funded transportation systems.

Fatigue

The demand for “just in time” inventory and the increase in rapid home deliveries have resulted in carriers and drivers pushing the boundaries of their endurance and speed limits. Seeking more hours, drivers often experience drastic changes in sleep schedules from week to week, impairing their situational awareness and peak performance.

Truck drivers often have to cover long distances, leading to them driving for extended periods without taking adequate breaks. This can result in them feeling tired or sleepy.

Driving while fatigued can impair a driver’s performance similar to the effects of alcohol, reducing reaction times and the ability to make quick, informed decisions.

To address these concerns, federal regulations stipulate that drivers should not continuously drive for more than 11 hours or remain on duty for more than 14 hours at a stretch. After working, drivers must have at least 10 hours of rest and are not permitted to work more than 60 hours a week. However, some drivers may feel pressured to disregard these regulations due to time constraints and deadlines.

Distraction

Cell phones, devices, and new technologies have become a hazardous cause of distracted driving for all kinds of vehicles. Even using hands-free cell phones can lead to cognitive distractions, reducing situational awareness and raising the risk of getting distracted.

Due to the extended periods of driving, truck drivers may become easily distracted while operating their vehicles. A fully loaded truck traveling at 65mph requires about 525 feet to come to a complete stop. Even a brief moment of distraction can pose a significant danger. Approximately 35% of truck accidents occur due to drivers not paying attention to the road.

Negligence

Negligent driving occurs when a driver fails to operate his or her vehicle with sufficient care, resulting in personal injuries to other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. This encompasses behaviors such as distracted driving and disregarding traffic laws and rules of the road. Negligent driving is a contributing factor in approximately 80% of trucking accidents.

Speeding

When truck drivers encounter delays such as bad weather or traffic, they may often exceed speed limits in order to ensure timely delivery of their cargo. This is dangerous because trucks are much heavier than passenger vehicles and require more time to come to a stop. If a truck collides with another vehicle or a pedestrian, the force of the impact is higher, making the consequences of speeding even more severe.

Alcohol and Drug Use

Alcohol and drug impairment poses a serious risk in all forms of driving. This includes the use of over-the-counter, prescription, or illicit drugs, as well as alcohol. These substances hinder a driver’s capability to operate a vehicle safely by affecting perception, slowing down reaction times, and inducing drowsiness and sleepiness. Drug and alcohol use is a factor in approximately 20% of truck accidents.

Inadequate Maintenance

If a truck isn’t maintained properly, it can quickly become unsafe to operate. Inadequate maintenance can lead to defects that make the truck unstable and pose hidden dangers while driving.

Regular maintenance of certain parts is crucial, especially tires and brakes. A truck with tire pressure loss, tread separation, or a blowout can cause the driver to lose control. Similarly, smooth tires or defective brakes can prevent the driver from stopping in time to avoid accidents. Other components like fuel lines, hydraulic systems, and electrical parts also need to be in good working condition for the truck to be safe to drive. If any part is not properly maintained, it can pose a danger to other vehicles and pedestrians.

Loads

Laws dictate the maximum weight that a truck can legally carry on its load. Overloading a truck or improperly distributing the weight of the load can lead to instability while driving. This increases the risk of the driver losing control of the truck and may cause tire issues such as a blowout. If the load is not properly secured, there is also a risk of the cargo falling onto the road, posing a danger to traffic and other vehicles.

Not all truck accidents are the fault of the truck driver or trucking company. Accidents can be caused by drivers of other vehicles, such as stopping abruptly in front of or cutting off a large truck, or tailgating a truck and creating the risk of an underride crash. Additionally, drivers may enter a blind spot directly behind or in front of large trucks, where the truck driver cannot see them.

What Are the Costs of Truck Accidents?

According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the average cost of large truck accidents is approximately $91,000. A study conducted by the FMCSA revealed that the estimated average cost of police-reported crashes involving trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds was $91,112 in 2005 dollars. These costs encompassed medical expenses, lost productivity, property damage costs, monetized values of pain and suffering, and the loss of quality of life caused by injury or death. Additionally, the study found that the average cost was $15,114 for accidents resulting in property damage only, $195,258 for non-fatal injury crashes, and $3,604,518 for fatal truck crashes.

These figures should not be considered average settlement amounts for personal injury lawsuits related to these types of accidents. Some cases have been resolved for less than $100,000, while others have resulted in settlements of millions or even tens of millions.

Economic Costs

In general, compensation for victims should encompass past, current, and future expenses, as well as other damages resulting from the truck accident. This includes:

• Costs for medical treatment
• Income lost as a result of the incident
• Reduced ability to earn income in the future
• Damages to property
• Funeral and burial expenses, and financial support lost in cases of wrongful death
• Non-financial damages such as pain and suffering, mental distress, disfigurement, and loss of spousal support

In addition to the financial costs of truck accidents, there may be other cost to the victims. The injuries that occur immediately are typically well-documented. However, the long-term consequences of these injuries are not always fully comprehended. Some injuries may appear to heal but can have enduring effects. These long-term effects can be categorized as physical and emotional consequences.

Physical Impact

A victim who has been injured may face lasting physical effects, such as severe and long-lasting pain as a result of the injury, which may require ongoing medical attention. Severe injuries, like burns or amputations, often lead to scarring and disfigurement, which can greatly affect a person’s emotional state and confidence. Injuries to the spine, limbs, or other body parts can also lead to reduced mobility, requiring continuous medical care and rehabilitation.

Emotional Impact

Truck accidents can have a long-term impact on the mental well-being of those involved. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often develops, leading to symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, and other issues that can greatly disrupt daily life. Victims may experience depression as they cope with their injuries, ongoing pain, and physical limitations. Anxiety disorders are also common among truck accident victims, often leading to panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. After an accident, some individuals develop a fear of driving, making it difficult for them to travel by car and restricting their mobility.

The most effective way to understand what to anticipate when seeking a fair settlement for your case is to reach out to a truck accident lawyer. Instead of giving an average value for truck accident settlements, the attorney will assess the specifics of your accident and the damages incurred. He or she will explain the various factors that could impact your case and assess your damages.

When Should You Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

Consider hiring an attorney for a truck accident if you have experienced damage to yourself or your property in a collision with a semi-truck. Going up against the trucking company alone puts you at risk of accepting an unfair settlement. Trucking companies have ample resources to put toward building a case to minimize your claim. Their insurance companies will work to prove you were at fault for your crash, your injuries did not result from the accident, or your case is worth less than its true value. Without an attorney by your side, you may be unable to defend your case against the trucking company. Retaining representation immediately after the crash is crucial, as Illinois places a statute of limitations of two years on truck accident cases.

Why Hire a Truck Accident Attorney

In Illinois, victims of truck collisions may be entitled to seek legal relief for their losses. With the assistance of a lawyer, a personal injury claim could help you obtain full compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial repercussions of the accident. An attorney should possess the resources necessary to address all aspects of your truck accident case. A lawyer can advise you on what you should do after a truck accident. He or she should know how truck accident investigations work, can investigate the accident’s cause, collect and preserve evidence and witnesses, negotiate with insurance companies and other involved parties, file and pursue a claim or lawsuit, prove your losses and damages, and safeguard your rights.If you have suffered injuries from a truck accident, contact us at Strong Law Offices for a truck accident attorney who can help you seek compensation.