Truck accident fatalities on the rise in US

February 09, 2013 (Press-News.org) Truck accident fatalities on the rise in US

Article provided by Ripplinger & Zimmer, L.L.C.
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When a motor vehicle accident involves a large truck, it is likely that the crash will cause severe personal injuries or even fatalities. Due to the size of the vehicles involved, large truck accidents tend to be some of the most dangerous. Unfortunately, statistics recently released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show the frequency of fatalities caused by these types of collisions is on the rise.

According to the NHTSA, the number of people killed in truck accidents was higher in 2011 than the year prior. In 2011, 3,757 people died in motor vehicle accidents involving large trucks -- a 1.9 percent increase from the 3,686 fatalities caused by truck accidents in 2010.

The NHTSA also found that more people inside large trucks died in such accidents in 2011; whereas fewer occupants of other vehicles involved in large truck accidents died. In fact, there was a 20 percent rise in the number of large truck occupants who were killed in 2011. The number of people inside other vehicles that were involved in large truck accidents who died fell from 2,797 in 2010 to 2,695 in 2011.

While the total number of truck accident fatalities is still lower than a recent high in 2008 -- when 4,245 people died in such collisions -- the increase in 2011 is still significant. Although the number of people killed in truck accidents increased, the number of people who died in motor vehicle accidents overall was the lowest in the country since 1949. In 2011, 32,367 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents -- in 1949, 30,246 people died in traffic accidents.

Truck accidents in Illinois

In 2011, there were 10,033 large truck accidents in Illinois. While truck accidents accounted for 3.6 percent of all motor vehicle accidents in the state that year, they made up 9.7 percent of all fatal crashes.

In 2011, 93 people died in truck accidents in Illinois, and another 1,750 truck crashes led to personal injuries. In Illinois, fewer occupants of large trucks were killed than occupants of other vehicles involved in such crashes. In total, 15 large truck occupants died in truck accidents and 74 occupants of other vehicles were killed.

What are some of the common causes of large truck accidents?

When truck drivers are responsible for traffic accidents, it is important to determine the cause of the crash. Some factors frequently noted as leading to truck accidents include truck driver fatigue caused by long hours on the road, errors made by the truck driver, impaired driving and distracted driving. In addition, environmental factors and vehicle maintenance issues have been cited as factors leading to truck crashes.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a large truck accident, consulting with a skilled, Illinois personal injury attorney will ensure your rights are protected.