The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has gathered accurate data on the number of large truck accidents in 2016, recently publishing its findings in a data drill-down report. Drivers in New York who are wary around large trucks should know that the number of these accidents has increased.
There was a 3 percent increase in fatal large truck crashes from 2015 to 2016. At the same time, the truck involvement rate remained the same as 1.46 trucks were involved in an accident for every 100 million miles traveled. Non-fatal crashes went up even more dramatically, from 83,000 in 2015 to 104,000 in 2016.
Among fatal crashes, 61 percent occurred in rural areas and 27 percent on interstate highways. Fifteen percent combined both categories. The most dangerous time period for crashes was between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., likely because of poor visibility and heightened drowsiness. Most crashes took place on weekdays.
The top driver-related factors in these crashes were speeding and distracted or inattentive driving. DUI was more prominent among the drivers of passenger vehicles, 20 percent of whom were found with a BAC over .08 percent. This is compared to 2 percent of truck drivers. Thirteen percent of large truck occupants neglected their seat belt, and of those, 43 percent died.
Passenger vehicle occupants who survive a collision with a large truck may want to see a personal injury lawyer before the statute of limitations runs out on filing a claim against the trucking company. Their lawyer might hire third-party experts in the effort to prove that the other side was negligent. If victims contributed to the accident, their lawyer may factor this into the potential settlement before negotiate for it.
