Trucking Accidents

United States roadways see over 500,000 truck accidents each year. About 1 out of every 8 traffic crash fatalities each year is the result of a large truck collision. In crashes between big trucks and smaller vehicles, 98% of the fatalities are to occupants of the smaller vehicle. In 1998, over 5,000 people were killed and another 123,000 were injured in crashes involving large trucks. Statistics from 2003 and 2005 show that these rates have remained virtually constant over time.

Many factors contribute to wrecks involving large trucks. Driver fatigue is a major contributor to truck accidents, with over 30% of all truck crashes resulting from truckers driving without getting enough rest or the required amount of sleep. Large trucks are heavier and take longer to stop than passenger vehicles. Statistics show that trucking accidents are more prevalent in rural areas and on weekends. Truckers driving under the influence also contribute to a small percentage of crashes. Deadlines add to the risk, with 30% of truck drivers involved in fatal crashes having previous speeding convictions.

The trucking industry is heavily regulated, which results in a lot of paperwork containing important details of the case. Woods Law KC is familiar with the regulatory scheme and knows where to look for the “smoking gun” documents that can make the difference between winning and losing. Woods Law KC is here to help if you have been injured or lost a loved one in a crash caused by a large truck.