How Many Accidents Are Caused by Semi Trucks?

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accidents caused by semi trucks

Do you get a chill up your spine when you pass a semi truck? Do you actively avoid situations on the road that would bring you closer to a large truck? Are you hyper aware of trucker’s blind spots, and stay out of them as best you can? You’re not alone. After all, accidents caused by semi trucks are scary, especially when you’re operating a much smaller vehicle. 

But, how often do these crashes happen? Do they cause injury and fatalities? Let’s find out, and look into what causes these kinds of tractor trailer wrecks.

And, if you or a loved one are injured in a large truck accident at no fault of your own, contact the personal injury attorneys at Patterson Legal Group. We have over 25 years of experience helping families just like yours seek financial compensation after an accident. In fact, we have recovered over $250 million on behalf of our clients so far. So, don’t wait to give us a call at 316-550-0000, use our convenient LiveChat feature, or fill out this online form to set up your free case evaluation and consultation with our legal representatives.

How Many Accidents Are Caused by Semi Trucks?

In 2019, the latest year that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published statistics, the number of injury crashes increased. In 2018, the number of these crashes was 112,000. In 2019, there were 119,000 crashes. Moreover, 414,000 crashes caused property damage only. That’s over 500,000 truck crashes total, in the span of a single year.

Injuries Caused by Trucking Accidents

When a large truck crashes into a smaller vehicle, the resulting damage can be devastating. Common truck accident injuries that we’ve seen in Kansas and Missouri include:

In some cases, semi truck accidents can even cause wrongful death. Whether your accident caused injury or the death of a loved one, contact Patterson Legal Group soon.

How Many Fatal Truck Accidents Happen Every Year?

Fatal tractor trailer accidents happen often. 4,000 deaths occurred as a result of these accidents in 2019. About 3,000 of these accidents occured with single-unit trucks, and 1,000 occurred with trucks that had a trailer.

What Causes Tractor Trailer Accidents?

Truck accidents like those listed above happen for dozens of reasons. Sometimes, multiple factors contribute to the wreck. Some examples include:

  • A drowsy driver. In this case, the driver might be responsible for the wreck. Often, however, the trucking company itself is liable. If they do not allow for realistic break times for their drivers, the company might be at fault.
  • Unrealistic deadlines can also cause wrecks. These deadlines, imposed upon by the trucking company, force drivers to speed or skip breaks, leading to various forms of reckless driving.
  • Drug and or alcohol impairment can also cause a collision, since these substances slow reaction times for the driver.
  • Distracted driving is also a huge issue, for both truckers and drivers of smaller vehicles. Drivers are commonly distracted by cell phones, eating, drinking, and other activities.
  • Issues with a load can also impact a truck’s chances of collision. If a load is too heavy, or improperly secured, the semi can lose control more quickly. 
  • Defective equipment can also cause truck accidents. Faulty brakes, worn tires, and more can all contribute. The manufacturer, mechanic, or other party responsible for keeping these parts well-maintained may also be partially or fully liable for your accident.

Determining exactly what caused an accident can be tricky. But, our truck accident attorneys at Patterson Legal Group know all the tricks required to learn who was liable for your injuries. In some cases, multiple parties may be responsible for the truck accident. If this applies to your situation, we may be able to maximize your financial compensation further. 

Contact Patterson Legal Group Today

Our personal injury law firms in Kansas and Missouri are open 24/7. Your satisfaction is our highest priority, and so we work to provide the highest quality representation. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about out of pocket expenses unless we win your case. 

Get professional help any time of the day or night, any day of the year by calling 316-550-0000, using our  LiveChat feature, and/or filling out our online form. Don’t wait to fight for the financial compensation you deserve; reach out today.

The information on this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to serve as legal advice for an individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship nor does viewing this material constitute an attorney-client relationship.