There’s nothing trivial or minor about being involved in a truck accident – especially if you’re in a standard passenger vehicle that weighs just a fraction of the truck. And unfortunately, the number of car accidents that occur on an annual basis isn’t going down – it’s actually increasing.
Truck Accident Statistics to Know
Generally speaking, American roads have become safer over the past several decades. This is due in large part to vehicle safety enhancements and other precautionary investments by state DOTs. However, there is a glaring exception when it comes to trucks (which are responsible for carrying billions of tons of freight each year for U.S. companies).
“In 2021, there were a total of 5,601 deaths involving truck accidents on U.S. roads, compared to a total of 4,965 in 2020, an increase of 13 percent,” CRC Group explains. “And according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 13.65 fatal large truck crashes per million people in the United States in 2019, a 29 percent increase since 2010, despite newer technology and the best efforts of regulators.”
In other words, things are going in the wrong direction (statistically speaking). And along with the steep rise, the frequency of accidents is leading claims to rise significantly. Today, claims are twice as likely to exceed $100,000 as they were in 2010.
What’s Causing the Rise in Truck Accidents?
Clearly, there’s a significant increase in the number of truck accidents on the U.S. roads and highways. The question is, what’s causing it? While there’s no singular factor, truck accident attorneys who spend time dealing with these cases on a daily basis say there are several root causes that collectively influence what we’re seeing – including:
- Increased Truck Traffic. The trucking industry is a critical component of the U.S. economy, responsible for transporting a significant portion of goods. As economic demands have grown, so have the number of trucks on the road. To state the obvious, more trucks mean a higher probability of accidents occurring. The rise in truck-related fatalities and accidents isn’t just a statistic – it’s a reflection of the increased pressure on this sector.
- Weight and Size Discrepancies. Trucks typically weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger vehicles, which inherently makes accidents involving them more severe. The physical dimensions of trucks also contribute to more significant impacts and increased damage in collisions. This size discrepancy means that when trucks are involved in accidents, they cause more severe damage and injuries. (After all, we aren’t talking about a Prius and a Camry getting tangled up in a fender bender.)
- Braking Capabilities and Maintenance Issues. Trucks have longer stopping distances than passenger cars, especially when they are fully loaded. Poorly maintained brakes can further extend stopping distances, making it difficult to avoid collisions. The replacement of older, less expensive trucks with newer, more expensive models has also increased the financial stakes when it comes to repairs and liability claims following accidents.
- Driver Fatigue and Regulations. Driver fatigue is a significant issue, exacerbated by long hours and inadequate rest. Despite regulations that limit driving hours, there are reports of these rules being frequently violated. The implementation of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) was meant to help, but compliance varies, and fatigue remains a critical safety concern.
- Training and Safety Technology. There’s a push within the industry to improve safety through better training and new technology. Innovations like warning, monitoring, and braking systems have the potential to prevent thousands of crashes annually. However, the effectiveness of these measures depends heavily on proper implementation and driver training.
- Aging Workforce and Driver Shortage. The trucking industry is also facing challenges related to its workforce. Many current drivers are nearing retirement age, and there is a significant shortage of new drivers entering the field. Some companies have responded by lowering their experience requirements, which can compromise safety if new drivers are not adequately trained.
Clearly, there isn’t one singular reason for the alarming rise in truck-related accidents. Instead, it’s a confluence of factors working together. Unfortunately, until these factors are dealt with, we’ll continue to see increased risk levels. Attorneys in this space are hard at work using things like artificial intelligence and generative AI to proactively put more pressure on trucking companies who don’t want to follow the rules.
But it will ultimately come down to these trucking companies and drivers to follow more responsible practices.
Stay Safe on the Road
At the end of the day, road safety comes down to a collective effort by all parties on the road – especially truck drivers and their companies. By working together, we can make the roads safer for everyone and – hopefully – see these statistics decline to much lower levels in the coming years.
