What are the statistics for commercial truck accidents?

Being in a commercial vehicle accident usually involves great damage to your car and often leaves you injured. Below is some information about big rigs that may help you be more informed and could help you avoid getting into a serious accident.

The trucks weigh more than 10,000 pounds and can be either single-unit trucks or have two trailers being pulled. Getting directly in front or directly behind a semi-truck can put you in one of the truck’s blind spots if you are too close. Give them plenty of room to operate. Generally, if you can’t see their mirrors, they can’t see you.

Trucks of this size travel so many more miles than the average driver does. They are usually on interstate highways which are considered to be the safest roads around. In 2013, these trucks accounted for a full 4 percent of registered vehicles and 9 percent of all miles traveled. Overall, they are considered to be safer than cars and small trucks because they account for a much lower per mile crash rate.

In 2013, 3,602 people perished in accidents that involved a semi-truck or tractor trailer. Of these fatalities, 16 percent were truckers and their passengers while a full 67 percent were other motorists. Another 15 percent were motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicycle riders. You can easily see that the deck is stacked in favor of the truck drivers and their passengers. This doesn’t even cover the multiple vehicle accidents involving big rigs.

If you are involved in a truck accident, chances are you missed work due to injury and have property damage to your car. Being aware that there is recourse available is a valuable piece of information.

Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “Large Trucks,” accessed Sep. 11, 2015