Trucks and Highway Driving – A Deadly Mix

Statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – Highway Loss Data Institute show how deadly truck driving accidents are. Our Nashville truck accident lawyers are respected throughout Tennessee for our ability to hold truck drivers, truck manufacturers, and truck parts makers liable so that victims are remembered and treated like people – not just another statistic.

Truck accident statistics for 2016

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – Highway Loss Data Institute data includes the following findings:

• Nearly 4,000 people died in truck accidents in 2016; 2/3 of the victims were occupants of cars and passenger vehicles. 1/6 were the occupants of the trucks. The remaining 1/6 were motorcycle riders, bicycle riders, and pedestrians. The number of truck fatalities rose 27% since 2009. Worse, the number of truck riders who died has risen 47% since 2009.
• When a car and a large truck collided, 97% of the times when death occurred, it was the occupant of the passenger vehicle who died. Statistically, 2,056 passenger vehicle occupants died and 56 truck occupants died. These numbers are no surprise. Cars are much smaller, shorter, and weigh less than large trucks. Heavy trucks can absorb the impact of a collision. Cars often fold like an accordion when they collide with a truck.
• Large trucks were involved in 11% of all motor vehicle crashes in 2016. There were 3, 986 deaths involving a large truck. There were 33,475 deaths in all other 2016 accidents.
• 73% of large truck crashes that caused a death involved tractor-trailers while 21% involved single-unit trucks. The remaining six percent involved both types of trucks. Numerically, 2,920 tractor-trailer deaths occurred in 2016 and 826 single-unit deaths occurred in 2016.
• In 55% of the large truck crashes where someone died, the truck rolled over, compared to a 47% rollover rate for SUVs, 43% for pickup trucks, and 22% for cars.
• In 62% of the 2016 large truck crashes where someone died, only one vehicle was involved compared to a 48% single car rate.
• 44% of the truck drivers who died in 2016 large truck crashes were wearing a seatbelt though this rate may be higher since seat belt use wasn’t always clear from the truck accident investigation.

If you were injured in a truck crash, you want a Nashville truck accident attorney who can help you seek justice and compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.

At the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we work with the police, investigators, and engineers to determine how the accident happened and who should be held responsible. We have a strong track record of success in settling cases and obtaining large jury awards for clients who have been wronged. To work with an attorney in Nashville, Hendersonville, or Knoxville, please call 615-425-2500 or fill out our contact form. to make an appointment.

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