In 2020, over 4,000 large trucks were involved in fatal accidents, including nearly 5,000 total deaths. Almost 10% of all fatal crashes involved large commercial trucks. Aside from fatal crashes, there were over 100,000 large trucks involved in crashes that resulted in injuries. While the number of fatal and injury-causing crashes involving commercial trucks decreased slightly from the previous year, the number has increased dramatically over the past decade.
If you are involved in a crash, seek help from a truck accident attorney right away.
Some might assume that these crashes occur most frequently on interstate highways; however, statistics show only about 26% of these accidents occur on the interstate, while 73% occur on other roadways across the country. While it is slightly more likely that trucking accidents occur in rural areas (55%), it is almost as likely that a fatal or injurious collision with a large commercial truck will occur in an urban environment (45%). Additionally, it is more likely that accidents will occur during the day rather than at night.
The chances of death in a crash involving large commercial trucks are greater than that of a passenger vehicle. This is partly because people in normal-sized vehicles are vulnerable when compared with commercial trucks that often weigh 20-30 times more. Additionally, a truck’s braking capability is less than that of a typical passenger vehicle, resulting in increased stopping times. Further, a high-risk factor is commercial truck drivers who may suffer from fatigue after pushing themselves beyond a safe threshold for driving. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, many drivers fail to adhere to regulations restricting the number of hours a driver is allowed to be on the road.
Truck accidents are serious matters because of the extensive injuries and losses that can result. Victims can suffer catastrophic injuries that change the course of their lives, and trucking companies should have to cover all of these losses. Some common losses of victims include:
Victims can seek compensation for their losses with help from a trusted truck accident lawyer.
Commercial trucking accident litigation can be very complex. If you or someone you know has been involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle, it is highly recommended you seek the legal guidance of a trained professional. Large truck accidents can lead to life-long health issues and create insurmountable financial burdens on you and your loved ones. If you’re looking for experienced truck accident attorneys to deal with large truck accidents in Indiana, call Blackburn Romey right away at (833) 264.0903 or contact us online for a consultation. The lawyers at Blackburn Romey can help with every issue pertaining to large truck accidents to while you make sure you can get back to what’s important to you.
Blackburn Romey founding partner Tom Blackburn graduated with honors receiving a degree from Indiana University at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Initiating his legal career in 1977, he has been active in practicing law and currently serves as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association on the Ethics and Advertising Committees, the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, as a board member at the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and as an appointed member of the Executive Committee for the State of Indiana for the National Trial Lawyers Association.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Tom Blackburn, who has more than 47 years of legal experience, including over 39 years specializing as a personal injury attorney.
