Understanding What Commercial Truck Accident Statistics Mean to Your Safety

At the Law Office of Robert Castro, our truck accident attorneys Waldorf know the vital role commercial trucks play in our local and national economic stability.

The growth in online shopping, and our Maryland residents and businesses dependency on reliable shipping services each day, directly increases the number of semi-trucks operating on our highways, city streets, and rural roads.

What’s more than the increased truck traffic is the speed at which trucking companies and their drivers expect their fleets to operate, which can lead to countless collisions throughout Charles County.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, throughout the country last year alone nearly 500,000 traffic collisions involved a large truck. Those collisions accounted for approximately 110,000 injuries, and over 4,100 fatalities.

Our experienced truck accident lawyers in Waldorf, Maryland are consistently reviewing the facts, statistics, and data from these collisions, so we can relay to our residents what dangers lurk behind the wheels of these large vehicles, so they can stay safer on our roadways.

What are the Common Contributing Factors that Lead to Truck Accidents in Maryland?

Driving a large truck that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds carries significant responsibility.

Meeting strict deadlines, driving lengthy shifts, battling ever-changing road and traffic conditions, and mechanical failures can all lead to traffic collisions that cause catastrophic injuries and tragic fatalities.

Here is what our Maryland communities should know, according to last year’s data reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:

• Truckers are authorized to drive their semi-trucks for a total of 77 hours per week, at a maximum of 11 hours each day, according the United States Department of Transportation.
• Driver fatigue is the primary contributor in approximately 30% of all truck accidents.
• Semi-trucks that are fully loaded with cargo, require up to 30% greater stopping distance than another vehicle.
• Vehicle collisions involving large trucks accounted for 11% of fatal automobile accidents.
• 98% of commercial truck accidents result in at least one death.
• In two-vehicle accidents involving semi-trucks, nearly 97% of those killed were occupants of the other vehicles.
• Semi-truck accidents cause an average of about $60,000 in damage.

Have You Been Injured in an Accident with a Semi-Truck in Maryland?

If you have been injured in a collision with a semi-truck in Maryland, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys in Waldorf, Maryland at the Law Office of Robert Castro by calling 301.870.1200 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case today.

We will fully review your case and thoroughly investigate the accident to determine whether the truck driver, trucking company, another third party, or a combination of each was responsible for your personal injuries, so we can pursue the liable parties and their insurance coverage for the best financial compensation outcome for your unique case.