Last year nearly 5000 truck drivers were killed in accidents and another 100,000 sustained injuries to varying extents. Overall, a half million semi trucks were involved in accidents as well.
When these statistics are considered against the fact that over 15 1/2 million semi trucks logged nearly 140 billion miles in a single year - some might offer that the numbers seem small in comparison. However, when these are further broken down then that means an average of over ten truck drivers a day die in vehicle collisions...and that is not as easily dismissed.
Furthermore, look for American roadways to become more crowded in the coming years as the lastest figures show that the number of 18 wheelers on the highways is expected to increase by nearly twenty percent...and with the increased pressure by the trucking industry to loosen driving standards - instead of attempting to meet higher standards that are meant to make the job safer for their workers as well - I would bet that there is little chance we will see accident, injury and fatality statistics to fall in the future.
Finally, statistics related to semi truck accidents impact everyone who drives. Many semi truck accidents are not single vehicle collisions but involve other cars and trucks as well - and add to the number of highway wrongful deaths that are tallied daily and annually.
My advice, drive defensively.
Greg Baumgartner is a Texas personal injury lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with a Texas big rig accident lawyer call the Baumgartner firm.
