Truck Accident Statistics

Semi truck accident statistics show just how devastating truck accidents can be for victims involved. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 5,096 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes and 121,000 were involved in injury crashes in one recent year, nationwide.

When it comes to information about motor vehicle crashes in Connecticut, semi-truck statistics are especially concerning because trucks are large vehicles that often cause devastating damage when involved in accidents. If you suffered injuries as a result of a heavy truck accident in Connecticut, reach out to the experienced personal injury attorneys at Wocl Leydon, LLC for a free consultation.

Truck Accidents in Connecticut by the Numbers

If you are in Connecticut and recently experienced a truck accident, you may be wondering how common they are. The Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have released information on Connecticut truck accident statistics that can help put accidents into perspective.

Some important truck accident statistics in Connecticut include:

• The number of trucks in Connecticut is only likely to increase. Trucking freight movement is expected to grow from 198.7 million tons moved in 2014 to 315.4 million tons by 2040.
• The large number of trucks on Connecticut roads means that severe accidents are far too common. In a single recent year, 29 fatal crashes involved large trucks in Connecticut.
• Out of the 29 fatal accidents that occurred in Connecticut that year, 21 involved multiple vehicles, and eight were single-vehicle accidents.

At a national level, several important large truck crash facts, such as how many tractor-trailer crashes happen per year, include:

• Out of 499,000 crashes that involved large trucks in one recent year, 4,415 or 1 percent were fatal and 107,000 or 21 percent were injury crashes.
• The vast majority of crashes – over 80 percent – occur on weekdays.
• Fatal crashes involving large trucks occur more often in rural areas and on interstate highways, with 57 percent of all fatal crashes occurring in rural areas and 26 percent on interstates.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Connecticut?

A variety of circumstances contribute to such concerning commercial truck accident statistics. However, some situations contribute to crashes more than others. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Connecticut include:

• Driver fatigue – While federal regulations mandate the number of hours truck operators are allowed to drive without a break, drivers are still under pressure to meet deadlines, which can cause them to drive while exhausted. In fact, 13 percent of all commercial truck crashes result from driver fatigue.
• Driving under the influence – Alcohol and drugs reduce motor skills, reaction time, and impairs judgment. Unfortunately, drivers often use alcohol and drugs to attempt to combat fatigue.
• Reckless driving – Reckless driving can include deliberate obstruction, aggressive tailgating, frequent changing lanes, failure to signal, and disregard of traffic signs.
• Distracted driving – If the truck driver is texting, on the phone, or eating, it may be difficult for them to pay attention to the road, resulting in severe and catastrophic trucking accidents.
• Speeding – A truck driver might be tempted to speed to try and meet a deadline. They may drive faster than what is appropriate for a vehicle of that size or faster than what is suitable for road conditions.
• Improper cargo loading – Federal law sets the protocols for loading and securing cargo. It is still the truck driver’s responsibility to inspect cargo before departure and periodically during travel. It is dangerous if the load is poorly secured or overloaded.
• Poor road conditions – Potholes, broken concrete, road cracks, uneven road surfaces, and other defects can lead to truck accidents.
• Defective truck parts – In some cases, the accident is not the fault of a careless or reckless driver or trucking company. In some situations, the truck may have defective parts leading to problems like brake failure and tire blowouts, causing accidents.
• Unfamiliarity with routes and roads – When truck drivers get lost, they may end up driving on roads that they should not be on, such as a road with low bridges or tight turns, leading to dangerous situations.

How Often Do Truck Accidents Happen in Connecticut?

Truck accident stats in Connecticut are likely to rise as the state continues to depend on trucks for freight transportation. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration noted a 48 percent increase in fatal crashes involving trucks and buses from 2009 to 2018 and an increase in injury crashes from 2009 to 2015 by 62 percent.

In Connecticut, the number of fatal crashes involving a truck rose from 2008 to 2018 by 26 percent. Truck accidents are often devastating for the victim and their loved ones, which is why it may be helpful to reach out to the skilled attorneys at Wocl Leydon, LLC for guidance handling the aftermath and pursuing the compensation you deserve under the law.

Most Dangerous Roads in Connecticut

While truck accidents can happen anywhere, semi-truck statistics show that they are more likely to occur in some places more than others. This includes rural areas and interstate highways.

Three of the most dangerous highways in Connecticut are the U.S. 6, Interstate 95, and Interstate 91. Between 2015 and 2017, there were 24 fatalities on U.S. 6, 22 deaths on Interstate 95, and 20 fatalities on Interstate 91, according to an article on Patch.

Get Help from Our Connecticut Truck Accident Lawyers

While semi-truck statistics seem overwhelming, for people who have been injured in an accident, the impact of these trucking accidents is all too real. If you experienced a truck accident, you may be eligible for compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, and other losses.

An experienced truck accident attorney at Wocl Leydon, LLC can help you determine your rights. Contact us for a free consultation.