Large Truck Accident Facts

One of the factors in truck accidents is often the braking capability of the large truck.

Large commercial truck accidents are the cause of a disproportionate number of fatalities. Most of the deaths involving large trucks are the occupants of the passenger vehicle rather than the truck driver. The issue is in the vulnerability of the people traveling in the smaller vehicle. Large trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as a passenger vehicle. They are also taller and have greater ground clearance.

One of the factors in truck accidents is often the braking capability of the truck. Tractor trailers that are loaded with goods take 20-40% farther to stop than cars. If the truck is empty, if the weather has caused wet or slippery roads, or if the breaks have not been properly maintained, these are factors that can effect a trucks braking capability.

Missouri Truck Accident Statistics

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, 9.2% of the Missouri traffic accidents involved a commercial vehicle. Out of all the fatal traffic accidents, 15.2% involved a commercial truck. Each year the statistics vary. For instance, the deadliest year was in 2000 when truck accidents caused 198 out of the 1,306 total fatalities.

Illinois Truck Accident Statistics

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, Tractor trailer crashes accounted for 3.6% of the total crashes in 2011. Of the fatal accidents, 9.7% involved tractor trailers. There was a slight decrease in 2011 from 2010. The majority of these accidents occurred in urban areas. Of those that were injured or killed, the majority was the occupant of the other passenger vehicles.

Truck Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a truck accident in either Missouri or Illinois, contact the truck accident attorneys at the Zevan and Davidson Law Firm. When we represent people who have been injured in car-truck accidents or families who have lost a loved one as a result of a tractor-trailer collision, our goal is to pursue fair compensation for those who have been injured by careless truck drivers. We also hope to prevent negligent drivers from hurting innocent motorists and bystanders in the future.

Call us today at (314) 588-7200 or fill out our online contact form to request a free and private consultation.

photo credit: SoulRider.222