Tractor-trailer truck accidents have a higher risk of causing serious injury and death, and this shows with an increase in both numbers in 2012 compared to 2011.

There are many things a trucking company can do to prevent such accidents. Intensive training must be taken by the drivers. There are even random drug tests administered by some trucking companies. Whether your company has a fleet of new or used heavy duty trucks, it is imperative that they are regularly serviced and inspected to avoid mechanical failure on the road. 

Injury and Fatality Data Regarding Large Truck Accidents in 2012

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 104,000 people were injured and 3,921 people were killed in large truck crashes in 2012. Total, there were 333,000 tractor-trailer trucks involved in traffic accidents across the United States. In Nevada, 42 semi-trucks were involved in crashes, accounting for 0.5 percent of the U.S. total. Many of these people might have turned to a truck accident attorney Las Vegas for help seeking compensation.

People Injured

The 104,000 people who were injured in large truck accidents in 2012 grew 18 percent from the 88,000 reported by Kelly White Donofrio LLP in 2011. Among the injuries, 3 percent weren’t in a vehicle, 24 percent were in the trucks and 73 percent were in other vehicles. Compared to the prior year, the percentages of people not in a vehicle and in other vehicles increased by one point each, while the percentage of people in the trucks declined by two points.

People Killed

The 3,921 deaths involved in large truck collisions in 2012 increased 4 percent from the 3,781 reported the year prior, according to the NHTSA. Among these fatalities, 10 percent were not in a vehicle, 18 percent were in the trucks and 73 percent were in other vehicles. Compared to information provided by Law Office of Glenn C. McGovern in 2011, the number of non-occupant deaths declined by 11 percent, while the number of people killed in the trucks increased by 9 percent.

DUI Prevalence and Priors

One cause for some of these semi-truck accident injuries and fatalities was drivers under the influence of alcohol. Of the large truck drivers involved in fatal accidents, 2 percent had blood alcohol concentrations of .08 percent or higher. Among other drivers involved in fatal collisions with the same BAC levels, 22 percent were light truck drivers, 23 percent were passenger car drivers and 27 percent were motorcyclists. Additionally, 0.5 percent of truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had prior DUI convictions, while 8.2 percent had prior license suspensions or revocations and 17.7 percent had prior speeding violations.