Data on truck accidents confirms that other road users are at a higher risk of sustaining serious or fatal injuries in a crash.
Summary
- Occupants of other vehicles are in greater danger of being injured in collisions involving large trucks.
- Statistics show that truck accidents are most likely to occur on rural, non-interstate roads during the daytime.
- The fatality rate for truck accidents is significantly higher than the fatality rate for car accidents.
- In a truck accident claim, liable parties can include the trucking company, parts manufacturer, and cargo loaders, in addition to the driver.
- To recover compensation for damages like lost wages after a truck accident, victims should hire a personal injury attorney to negotiate their claim.
The commercial trucking industry is responsible for delivering 71% of all freight in the United States annually. On top of that, this $700 billion industry is also responsible for employing 5% of all full-time employees.
While the trucking industry is the backbone of delivery systems, statistics show commercial trucks also pose a variety of dangers to other road users when an accident occurs, including passenger vehicle occupants, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists.
Because large trucks have a higher gross vehicle weight when compared to passenger vehicles, large truck crashes are often devastating or fatal. Passenger vehicles simply cannot withstand the intense impact of a commercial truck, leaving those involve seriously wounded or dead.
At Sand Law LLC, we understand that pursuing a personal injury claim while recovering from truck accident injuries is a lot of pressure, especially if you don’t have legal experience. Let our team of truck accident attorneys handle your claim for the best results. Reach out to us online by filling out a contact form, using our chat box option, or by calling us at (651) 362-4162.
Statistics on Accidents Involving Commercial Trucks
Depending on the state, commercial truck accidents may be more or less common. In rural areas with a less dense population, accidents may be more common. However, in cities and more densely packed areas, truck accidents may actually occur less frequently.
U.S. Truck Accident Statistics
In the United States, 10% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes were large trucks in 2019. They also accounted for 4% of all registered vehicles, and 7% of total vehicle miles traveled. In the same year, just over 120,000 large commercial trucks were involved in crashes that resulted in injury. This number has only been on the incline, increasing steadily from 60,000 in 2009.
A large percent of injured parties in accidents involving large trucks are other vehicle occupants. After that, the second most common injuries are to truck accident occupants. When it comes to location, the majority of accidents occurred in rural areas as opposed to urban areas, at 56.65%.
74.91% of accidents took place on non-interstate roads and 64.12% of accidents took place during the daytime. The most common month for accidents involving large trucks in September, with 456 fatal crashes occurring during that month and the least (297) occurring in February.
Minnesota Truck Accident Statistics
According to Minnesota Department of Public Safety data, in 2019, there were 5,369 total truck accidents that resulted in 56 fatalities and 1,431 injuries. Most fatal truck accidents (8) occurred in June. And most large truck accidents in general occurred on Mondays, with weekdays being more popular overall.
Most fatal Minnesota truck accidents occurred on U.S. and Minnesota highways. What’s interesting is that Minnesota statistics don’t add up to the rest of the country. In the United States, most accidents occur on non-interstate roads in September, but in Minnesota, most accidents occurred on interstate roads in the month of June.
Statistics for Truck Accident vs. Car Accident Fatalities
While truck accidents are more severe, there are more car accidents and car accident fatalities that occur each year. In the United States, there are a total of 6 million car accidents each year, with approximately 37,000 fatalities. That means that about .62% of car accidents result in fatalities.
With truck accidents, there were approximately 120,000 in 2019, with 4,119 fatalities occurring because of those accidents. That means that 3.43% of truck accidents result in death, almost six times more deadly than car accidents.
Causes of Truck Accidents
There are many reasons for truck accidents, and they can be the fault of many different parties. Truck accident causes include:
- Distracted driving: This doesn’t just include texting or talking on the phone, although it is a large portion of it. Distracting driving can also include eating, drinking, grabbing something from the floor, looking for directions, or any distraction that takes one’s eyes off the road.
- Driving while intoxicated or under the influence: This is incredibly dangerous and can cause accidents to occur as the driver can easily lose their defensive driving skills, critical thinking skills, and decision-making ability.
- Fatigued or exhausted driving: Unfortunately, this is common amongst truck drivers and can be the fault of both the truck driver and the trucking company. When a truck driver is overtired they may lose their ability to react quickly, which would cause an accident.
- Inexperienced drivers: Drivers who haven’t received enough training or don’t have enough experience could easily cause a truck accident. They haven’t learned defensive driving skills and they may not know how to quickly react in order to prevent an accident from occurring.
Who Can be Held Liable for Truck Accidents?
There are many parties that can be held liable in the case of a large truck accident. Those parties include:
- Truck Driver: In the case of driver negligence, such as texting while driving, driving under the influence, or speeding, the driver may be liable for the accident.
- Trucking Company: If the accident occurred because the driver was exhausted or fatigued because they were over-scheduled past legal limits, the trucking company could be liable. The trucking company could also be liable if the accident occurred because of a safety issue, such as brakes giving out, as it’s their responsibility to make sure the trucks are safe and drivable.
- Manufacturer: Occasionally truck accidents may occur because of manufacturing issues or defective parts. For example, if a part gave out for no reason, the manufacturer could be liable. In the case that a recall was sent out, the company could be liable for not replacing the part in time.
- Truck Owner: In some instances, trucks are rented out by trucking companies. In this case, the truck owner is responsible for all maintenance. Therefore, they could be liable if the truck wasn’t properly maintained.
- Loaders: Trucks must be loaded a certain way to prevent roll-over or other dangerous accidents. If a truck is improperly loaded, a lost load accident could occur, in which case the loaders could be liable.
What Should You Do After a Minnesota Truck Accident?
Experiencing a truck accident can be overwhelming and traumatic, leaving you unsure of the next steps to take. Certain procedures must be followed to ensure your safety, protect your legal rights, and secure any potential compensation. The following steps will guide you through the process and provide clarity during this challenging time.
Find a Safe Location and Seek Medical Attention
Immediately after the truck accident, prioritize your safety and the safety of others involved. Call emergency services to report the accident. Even if you feel fine, seek medical evaluation to identify any hidden injuries.
Document the Truck Accident Scene
If you are able, gather as much information as possible from the accident scene. Take photographs of the vehicles, any visible injuries, and road conditions. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved, and collect contact details from any witnesses. This can serve as evidence in your truck accident claim.
Report the Semi-Truck Accident
Notify law enforcement about the incident and ensure an official report is filed. This report will serve as an important document for your insurance claim and any potential legal actions.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Inform your insurance provider about the accident as soon as possible. Provide them with all the necessary information and cooperate with their investigation. Truck accident statistics show that these claims can be extremely expensive for them, so you don’t want to give them any excuse to dismiss your case.
Consult with Minnesota Truck Accident Lawyers at Sand Law LLC
Truck accident cases can be complex, involving multiple parties and extensive legal procedures. Contact the experienced truck accident lawyers at Sand Law LLC to discuss your case. We provide expert guidance, handle communications with insurance companies, and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve.
Options for Compensation for Truck Accidents in Minnesota
Truck accidents can have devastating consequences, leading to severe injuries, significant financial burdens, and emotional trauma. In Minnesota, victims of truck accidents are entitled to pursue compensation to alleviate these hardships. Understanding the types of damages available is crucial for ensuring that all potential claims are fully realized.
- Medical Expenses: Covers hospital bills, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation costs, and any future medical needs arising from the truck accident.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work during recovery, including potential future earnings if the injuries result in long-term disability.
- Pain and Suffering: Monetary compensation for emotional distress, physical pain, and loss of enjoyment in life caused by the truck accident.
- Property Damage: Reimbursement for the repair or replacement of your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
- Loss of Consortium: Damages awarded to the spouse or family members for the loss of companionship and support due to the victim’s injuries.
- Wrongful Death: In cases where truck accidents result in fatalities, the family of the deceased can claim damages for loss of financial support, funeral expenses, and emotional suffering.
- Punitive Damages: Additional compensation is awarded when the defendant’s actions are found to be particularly reckless or malicious. It serves as a punishment and deterrent for future misconduct.
Now is the Time to Contact a Minnesota Truck Accident Attorney
You should contact a Minnesota truck accident attorney after you’ve been injured in a truck accident. Once you’ve left the scene of the accident and received medical care, your next step after a truck accident should be to think about contacting an attorney.
At Sand Law, our truck accident attorneys will help you get the compensation that you deserve in the form of a settlement or a trial win. We will also check in with you to make sure you’re getting the medical care you need. In general, our team will work to take the stress off your shoulders so you can focus on relaxing and recovering.
For more information or a free case evaluation, please contact our talented team of attorneys here at Sand Law. Please contact us online, by using our chat box option, or by calling us at 651-291-7263.