Fatal trucking accidents on the rise
Many people in Illinois and across the country worry about the danger of experiencing a crash or collision when they get behind the wheel and take to the roads. Even drivers who concentrate on safety cannot control the actions and behavior of others on the road, and accidents caused by others’ negligent driving can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities. The concern can be particularly significant when it comes to trucking accidents because the size and mass of these vehicles might mean a devastating outcome for passenger car drivers, pedestrians and others.
One report by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration noted that fatal trucking accidents increased by 3 percent in 2016 from the prior year. In 2015, 4,074 large trucks were involved in deadly accidents, but that number increased to 4.212 in 2016. The number of deaths themselves rose by over 220 in the same year. While 722 of the people killed in truck crashes in 2016 were occupants of the large trucks themselves, the remaining 3,595 were passengers in other vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians. Fatal accidents involving large trucks took place in different areas; around 61 percent happened on rural roads while 27 percent happened on interstate highways.
The number of trucking accidents that caused deaths is only a small portion of the total number of collisions. In 2016, there were 104,000 crashes involving large trucks across the country; 145,000 people were injured as a result. This was also a significant jump from the prior year when 116,000 people were injured in 83,000 crashes.
In a trucking accident, people can experience severe personal injuries and lifelong disabilities as a result. A personal injury lawyer may help accident victims take action to pursue compensation for the damages they have suffered, including medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.