When you read the truck accident statistics provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), it quickly becomes clear that motorists driving passenger cars are at a distinct disadvantage. Noting 2014 statistics, of the 3,660 fatalities resulting from large truck crashes, 16 percent were among the occupants of these larger vehicles. The rest consisted of other vehicle occupants, pedestrians, and cyclists or bikers. Since 2009, the number of truck accident fatalities increased.
Experts have identified three possible causes.
- Truck weight and height. With weights up to 30 times that of an average passenger vehicle, a collision with a large truck puts the motorist in the smaller car at a disadvantage. The possibility of smaller cars getting stuck underneath a truck during an accident contributes to the problem.
- Brake distance. Trucks, particularly when filled with cargo, experience an increase in braking distance. Depending on road conditions, it may take them up to 40 percent longer to stop than it would take a passenger vehicle. If the roads are wet, or if the brakes are not well maintained, this distance increases.
- Fatigue. Regulations state that a trucker may drive up to 11 hours consecutively. But the experts note that violations of these regulations are common. Thus, personal fatigue is a possible cause of accidents.
Interestingly, statistics also identify the most dangerous times and days. Deadly large truck crashes occurred most frequently on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Saturdays are the safest. The most dangerous time is between noon and 3 p.m. The safest time is between midnight and 3 a.m.
If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, find out how to protect your rights. Contact us today to discuss your case.