It may come as a surprise, but most truck accidents happen on rural highways rather than busy city streets. Regrettably, such accidents lead to approximately 5,000 deaths annually in the United States.
Despite accounting for only 4% of registered vehicles, large trucks, semi-trucks, and other commercial vehicles leave a disproportionately large footprint on the nation's accident statistics.
Recent data reveals these massive vehicles account for about 10% of total miles traveled and a sobering 9% of all trucks implicated in fatal traffic accidents.
However, where do these trucking accidents occur the most? This article aims to provide drivers with comprehensive insights into the states that experience the highest and lowest frequency of truck accidents.
Based on the available statistics, this discussion will explore the patterns and safety measures related to large truck accidents. By doing so, drivers can gain valuable information to help them have safer journeys.
What Makes Truck Drivers Prone to Accidents?
When investigating the reasons behind these incidents, there are many different factors to consider. A significant 36.3% of fatal truck crashes, as per 2019 FMCSA data, resulted from other vehicles intruding upon the large truck's lane.
At 27.7%, close behind this were instances where other vehicles already in the truck's lane triggered the accident. Also, large trucks initiating the movement that led to the accident accounted for 19%.
Common Errors by a Truck Driver Leading to Accidents
Most of these accidents can be attributed to four main categories of driver errors, including:
Decisions: Sometimes, truck drivers misjudge their distance from other vehicles or drive too fast for the conditions, leading to accidents.
Performance: Accidents can occur when truck drivers have trouble commanding their vehicle, which could involve mishandling a turn or losing control of the direction.
Recognition: Collisions can also arise from a truck driver's failure to adequately perceive or identify something within or outside of the vehicle due to inattentiveness or insufficient checking of surroundings.
Non-performance: These are instances when a driver's inactivity results in an accident, often because of impaired mental or physical faculties, such as falling asleep at the wheel or delayed reaction times due to drugs or alcohol.
Also, aggressive driving habits such as unsafe lane changes, tailgating, illegal turns, or speeding contribute to trucking accidents. Moreover, these behaviors often stem from inexperience, distraction, aggression, or impairment from alcohol or drugs.
Where Do Most Truck Accidents Occur?
Many people think that truck accidents happen more often on busy city highways, but in fact, rural areas are actually the more common locations for these incidents.
Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reveals that 57% of fatal truck accidents occurred in rural settings in 2019. Furthermore, simple road designs, fewer traffic signals, and limited visibility could compound the risk in remote regions.
Lack of frequent maintenance and the prevalence of wildlife on rural roads present additional hazards, significantly escalating the risk of fatal crashes involving large vehicles and semi-trucks.
Meanwhile, interstate highways have the second-highest occurrence rate, accounting for around 25% of fatal truck accidents.
The Time Factor in Truck Accidents
Truck accidents happen more frequently at certain times of the day. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a surprising 48% of truck accident fatalities occur during daytime hours, between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Even though the number of fatalities is higher during the day, nighttime hours witness a significant percentage of deadly semi-truck accidents.
FMCSA reports show that between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., fatal truck accidents constitute 37%, injury-causing incidents 24%, and property-damage accidents 20%.
Urban Vs. Rural Truck Driving
Driving conditions can vary drastically between urban and rural areas, impacting the behavior of the truck driver. In city locales, drivers typically drive more cautiously and at lower speeds due to the higher density of vehicles and pedestrians.
Meanwhile, with their long, open roads and minimal traffic, rural regions can lull drivers into a false sense of security, leading to distracted driving and, consequently, severe accidents.
Understanding the typical settings and timings for truck accidents can help shape more effective safety strategies, reducing the rates of such devastating incidents.
Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident?
Determining who is responsible in a truck accident case can be a complex process. The blame may fall on various parties. Sometimes, it could be the truck driver themselves, perhaps due to being distracted or under the influence.
However, trucking accidents can also result from inadequate training, and in such instances, the responsibility falls on the driver's employer, who failed to equip them properly.
Furthermore, truck accidents in rural areas might be instigated by factors beyond the control of drivers or their employers, such as extreme weather conditions or poorly maintained roads. In these cases, those entrusted with road maintenance might be the ones responsible.
After such truck crashes, victims often face dozens of challenges. They can experience high medical bills, lower income, and emotional trauma.
The silver lining is that these victims could potentially receive compensation for all these hardships from the party at fault. This settlement can cover expenses such as:
Medical bills (hospital stays, medications, doctor's visits).
Lost wages and reduced future earning potential.
Cost of therapy (physical, occupational, and mental health).
Travel expenses and accommodation related to medical treatment.
Compensation for emotional distress, physical trauma, and reduced quality of life.
Figuring out who is responsible for a truck accident and seeking compensation can be difficult, but it is an essential part of the healing process for those who have been harmed.
The Importance of a Truck Accident Attorney
Legal proceedings after an incident can be complicated and overwhelming. From passenger vehicles to commercial trucks, all involved entities will need representation to negotiate the tangled web of laws and regulations. However, the presence of a skilled truck accident lawyer in Cincinnati becomes crucial in such cases.
They can meticulously investigate the incident, assessing all possible factors, such as the truck driver's behavior, the conditions of the vehicles involved, and the circumstances under which the trucking accident occurred.
Furthermore, in cases of a semi-truck collision, they can dig deeper into the specifics, considering the state of the vehicle, other drivers involved, and the impact on the passenger vehicle.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys specialize in truck accident cases, providing robust representation to the victims. Staying true to their motto, "We go to war for you," they relentlessly pursue justice for those affected by semi-truck accidents. They can also answer questions like, "What is a jackknife accident?"
Wrapping Up
The maze of legal complexities can be overwhelming when accidents involve semi-trucks, drivers, or passenger vehicles.
Pinpointing responsibility and pursuing rightful compensation in trucking accidents that occur often requires the precision of a skilled legal mind.
Moreover, Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, known for its steadfast commitment, handles semi-truck accidents with an expert's touch, serving the affected parties through every stage of their legal journey.
It remains true to its motto by staying committed to advocating for its clients and pursuing justice.