By Dan Noll on September 23rd, 2024 in Articles, Semi-Truck Accidents
Springfield Trucking Accident Lawyer Explains What Percentage of Accidents are Caused by Semi-Trucks?
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injuries. Although any vehicle could cause serious personal injuries or the wrongful death of an innocent person, large commercial vehicles such as big rigs, tractor-trailers, flatbeds, semi-trucks and other box trucks are disproportionally more likely to cause injury or death. Indeed, each year in the United States statistics reveal that there are over 6.1 million traffic accidents reported to the police, which cause approximately 42,500 fatalities and almost 2.4 million injuries. From these figures, the Springfield trucking accident lawyers at the Noll Law Office know that understanding what percentage of accidents are caused by semi-trucks is important. According to statistics, large commercial trucks account for approximately 6,000 of these fatalities and 119,000 of these injuries. Although that may sound like a small percentage, semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles account for only 5% of all registered vehicles on the road but over 11% of all fatalities.
That why, here at the Noll Law Office, their skilled personal injury law firm focuses a part of their practice on handling trucking accident cases throughout Illinois – especially right here in Springfield. As fifth-generation lawyers, they have developed a strong foundation of resources in the community, including building rapport with many of the treating physicians who care for accident victims in the community. In addition to this, they have an extensive network of experts who can help investigate, establish liability, and prove fault or damages against a negligent defendant. To learn more about how you and your family and work with the experienced Springfield trucking accident lawyers at the Noll Law Office and take advantage of their skilled and resources to help support our case, call them today to schedule your free consultation by dialing (217) 414-8889.
Prevalence of Semi-Trucks Our Roadways
Commercial trucking is a big business in the United States. According to statistics from the American Trucking Association, there are over 14 million single-unit and combination trucks registered and operating in the United States. These vehicles play a crucial role in our economy, transporting goods across the country and keeping our supply chains moving, being responsible for approximately 73% of moving the US’s freight by gross weight. As a result, particularly here in Illinois, that means that large commercial trucks often drive through our state using the many interstates that connect some of the largest shipping ports in the United States – including being a main thoroughfare in either east-to-west shipping, as well as for shipping to-and-from Chicago and further up from Canada.
Semi-Truck Accident Statistics in the US
Although semi-trucks are essential for commerce and come through Illinois with regularity, their presence on the roads also poses potential safety risks to residents. This includes even when trucks are being properly maintained and driven by competent drivers. However, this is not always the case, and negligent accidents due to poor maintenance or driver error is all too common.
Overall Accident Involvement
According to national statistics, large trucks were involved in 494,000 police-reported crashes throughout the United States. This number has maintained consistent, dipping a little from previous years. However, this number still represents a significant portion of all traffic accidents in the United States, and maintains that all trucks are still very dangerous vehicles.
Fatal Semi-Truck Accidents
As noted above, large trucks like flatbeds, tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and other box trucks result in roughly 6,000 fatalities every year. Unfortunately, while overall truck accidents have decreased, fatal truck accidents are increased and now represent over 11% of fatal accidents despite the fact that large trucks are only 5% of all registered vehicles.
What Percentage of Accidents are Caused by Semi-Trucks?
Since there are roughly 6.1 million traffic accidents and semi-trucks account for 494,000 of them, this means that semi-trucks account for approximately 8.1% of all police-reported crashes in the United States. Again, since trucks only account for 5% of all registered vehicles, this means that they are disproportionally responsible for more accidents. The same is true based on the number of fatalities, which is roughly 11%.
Need the Help of a Springfield Trucking Accident Lawyer? Still Not Sure What Percentage of Accidents Are Caused by Semi-Trucks? Call the Noll Law Office
Although semi-trucks are involved in approximately 8.1% of all police-reported crashes in the United States, their impact on road safety cannot be overlooked because fatality and injury statistics continue to increase over the recent years. Indeed, the severity of these accidents and their potential for catastrophic outcomes underscores the importance of proper safety measures, driver training, and vigilance on the part of all road users – as well as how disproportionally dangerous large trucks can be.
This is part of the reason why federal agencies and Illinois state laws have created certain rules, regulations, and legal obligations on truck drivers, trucking carriers, and others that work on or with large semi-trucks. Many of these legal obligations pertain to safety, and defendants that violate them may be liable to victims and their families who are injured in crashes.
That’s why if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a semi-truck, it is important to seek legal counsel to understand your rights and options under these federal and Illinois laws. The complexities of trucking regulations and the potential for severe injuries make these cases particularly challenging, and retaining an experienced Springfield trucking accident lawyer such as one of those at the Noll Law Office is imperative to protecting your rights. To learn more about your rights under the law and how either Dan Noll or Sarah Noll can help you, schedule your free consultation by dialing (217) 414-8889 or by emailing them today.