Our truck accident attorneys have seen some commercial trucking accident trends

Over the last decade, our truck accident attorneys have seen the number of commercial trucking accidents on federal and state roadways increase.  Not surprisingly, this increase is closely associated with the use of smart phones and other devices that can lead to driver distraction and well as driver shortages which can lead to increased demands on individual drivers and, ultimately, fatigue.  Driver distractions and driver fatigue are two of the most common causes of commercial trucking accidents.

What the data shows about trends our truck accident attorneys have noticed

Each year, the U.S. Department of Transportation publishes a study comparing accident trends in commercial trucking.  The most recent report,  Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2018, issued in September of 2020 identified the following accident trends in commercial trucking:

• In 2018, 5,096 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, a 1% increase from 2017. The number of large trucks and buses in fatal crashes has increased by 48% from its low of 3,432 in 2009. 
• The number of injury crashes involving large trucks or buses decreased steadily from 102,000 in 2002 to 60,000 in 2009 (a decline of 41%). From 2009 to 2015, injury crashes increased 62% to 97,000. From 2016 to 2018, large truck and bus injury crashes increased 8% percent (from 112,000 in 2016 to 121,000 in 2018).
• On average, intercity buses accounted for 12%, and school buses and transit buses accounted for 40% and 35%, respectively, of all buses involved in fatal crashes.

From 2017 to 2018:

• The number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes increased 1% percent, from 4,804 to 4,862, and the large truck involvement rate (large trucks involved in fatal crashes per 100 million miles traveled by large trucks) decreased 1% percent, from 1.61 to 1.59.
• The number of large trucks involved in injury crashes increased by 5%, from 107,000 to 112,000.
• The number of large trucks involved in property damage only crashes increased by 14% percent, from 363,000 to 414,000.
• The number of buses involved in fatal crashes remained steady at 234.

Along with the increase in commercial trucking accidents involving distraction and fatigue comes an increase in injuries resulting from trucking accidents, including serious injuries and death.  Given the regulations and rules surrounding commercial trucking, it is critical that attorneys who represent trucking accident injury victims are familiar with the latest studies, information and regulations that apply to commercial trucking.  The truck accident attorneys at Feagans Law Group P.C. have the knowledge necessary to help victims of trucking accidents and we would be honored to Guide Your Path to Justice.