Truck Accident Statistics

Commercial truck accidents can be devastating for anyone involved.  The large size and weight of these vehicles can affect their mobility and make them more difficult to navigate on the road than a regular car. Unfortunately, these factors mean a higher percentage of accidents involving a large truck are fatal versus those involving cars.

If you or a family member has been injured by a tractor trailer, semi-truck, rig or other large commercial truck or vehicle, know that you are not alone—and that you may have legal options. (Read more about truck accidents and personal injury claims here.) Here are some statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about accidents involving large trucks (those weighing more than 10,000 pounds) in the U.S.

• In 2014, 3,903 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks. Approximately 85 percent of the trucks involved in these fatal crashes weighed more than 26,000 lbs.
• An estimated 111,000 people were injured in crashes involving large trucks in 2014—an increase of 17 percent from an estimated 95,000 in 2013.
• Of the 3,903 people killed by large-truck crashes in 2014, 73 percent were occupants of the other vehicles, 17 percent were occupants of large trucks, and 10 percent were non-occupants (pedestrians, etc.).
• Of the 111,000 people injured in large-truck crashes in 2014, 74 percent were occupants of other vehicles, 23 percent were occupants of large trucks, and 3 percent were not in any vehicle at the time of the crash.
• Large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2014 had the highest percentage (14.9) of previously recorded crashes compared with drivers of other vehicle types (motorcycles, 13.6 percent; passenger cars, 12.6 percent; and light trucks, 12 percent).
• Approximately one out of every 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck occurred on an interstate in 2014.
• 95 percent of 2014’s fatal large-truck accidents occurred outside work zones.
• In Florida, 179 fatal accidents occurred involving large trucks in 2014, representing 5.1 percent of the state’s total number of fatal crashes for the year.
• The 179 fatal accidents in Florida resulted in the death of 190 people, including 22 large-truck occupants, 144 occupants of other vehicles, and 24 bystanders.

At Viñas and DeLuca, we have experience representing clients who have been injured by commercial vehicles and trucks. If you or someone you love has been in an accident and is in need of representation, give us a call today.