Large Trucks and Fatal Car Accidents

A large truck is any medium or heavy truck, excluding buses and motor homes, with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds. According to the National Highway of Traffic Safety Administration, in 2014, 85% of the large trucks involved in fatal accidents were heavy large trucks (having a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds).

On average, large trucks make up 8.3% of all vehicles involved in fatal car accidents. Of the 50 states, Texas had the highest number of large trucks involved in fatal accidents in 2014, as well as the largest number of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes. Following Texas and California, Florida ranked third for the highest number of large trucks involved in fatal accidents, as well as the largest number of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes in 2014.

Truck Accident

In 2014, approximately 3,903 people were killed in accidents involving large trucks. Of those fatalities, 73% were occupants of other vehicles, 17% were occupants of large trucks, and 10% were non-occupants (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.). Additionally, large truck accidents caused an estimated amount of 111,000 injuries—a 17% increase from the estimated 95,000 injuries in 2013.

It is more likely for large trucks to be involved in fatal multiple-vehicle car accidents as opposed to fatal single-vehicle car accidents. In 2014, 81% of the fatal accidents involving large trucks were multiple-vehicle crashes, which is a dramatic contrast to the fact that 59% of fatal accidents involving passenger vehicles were multiple-vehicle accidents.

The characteristics of the large truck accidents indicate that 45% of fatal truck accidents occurred when the large truck and other car were proceeding straight at the time of the crash (thus, head-on collisions). In 10% of the fatal crashes, the other car was making a left or right turn. In 9% of the fatal crashes, the large truck was attempting to negotiate a curve. Finally, in 7% of the fatal accidents, either the large truck or the other car was stopped in a traffic lane at the time of the accident.

Some additional interesting facts include the following:

  •  Approximately 1 out of every 4 large truck accidents occur on the interstate highways.
  • 61% of fatal truck accidents occur in rural areas.
  • 79% of the fatal truck accidents occur on weekdays.
  • Of those weekday large truck fatal accidents, 71% occur between the daytime hours of 6:00 a.m. – 5:59 p.m.

Tampa Truck Accident Law Firm

The Capaz Law Firm handles a variety of personal injury claims, including those arising from accidents involving cars, motorcycles, large trucks, semi trucks, tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, commercial vehicles, bicycles and boats and other watercraft. If you have suffered an injury due to the negligence of another driver, contact our knowledgeable Tampa accident injury attorneys at the Capaz Law Firm. We will review your claim and determine the best course of action for holding all negligent parties accountable. Call 813-440-2700 for a free legal consultation.