Automotive

15 Frightening 18-Wheeler Accident Statistics

Definition: 18-wheeler is a trucking rig that consists of a truck and trailer which typically has 18 wheels. That’s a huge vehicle right there.

Because of its massive size, whenever an 18-wheeler is involved in a road accident, you can’t call it a simple “fender bender.” In fact, the impact is usually so devastating that it results in tremendous damage and even the deaths of those involved.

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The U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Center of Statistics and Analysis, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regularly gather information and data about large trucking accidents. From a Houston 18 wheeler truck accident lawyer, here are 15 of the most frightening trucking accident statistics:

  1. Out of roughly 457,000 large truck crashes reported to the police in 2016, 0.8% (3,864) were fatal, while 22% (104,000) resulted in serious injuries.

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  1. Fatal crashes involving large trucks tend to take place on Interstate highways or in rural areas. Almost 61% of fatal accidents happen in a rural area, while 27% take place on Interstate highways, and 15% fall under both categories.

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  1. 37% of fatal crashes, 23% of injury crashes, and 20% of property damage crashes involving 18-wheeler trucks take place at night, specifically between 6 PM and 6 AM.

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  1. Most large truck crashes (84% fatal and 88% non-fatal) will happen Monday through Friday.

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  1. There are 12 fatal crashes per one million people in the United States.

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  1. Rollover is the primary cause of death in 5% of large truck crashes.

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  1. About 4% of the 18-wheelers involved in fatal accidents transport dangerous chemicals. Most of them carry flammable liquids such as gasoline and oil.

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  1. 73% of fatal crashes involving 18-wheelers take place because of another vehicle, person, animal or objects in the truck’s lane or encroaching into it. Another 23% of fatal crashes take place because the driver loses control of the vehicle.

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  1. 6% of drivers in fatal truck accidents are 25 or younger, while another 6% are reportedly 60 or older.

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  1. 13% of truck drivers involved in an accident do not wear a safety belt, and of all 43% are killed in the crash.

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  1. 32% of accidents involving 18-wheelers are caused by the driver, while 55% are caused by the passenger vehicle.

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  1. One of the most common factors of large truck crashes includes speeding, distractions, and impairment (alcohol, illness, or fatigue).

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  1. 16% of large truck drivers involved in fatal crashes have at least one prior speeding conviction, almost the same percentage as passenger car drivers involved in a deadly accident. However, they are also less likely to have previous license suspension or revocations than passenger car drivers.

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  1. 45% of two-vehicle fatal large truck crashes happen because both vehicles are going straight towards each other. In 10% of accidents, one car is turning left or right, 9% of accidents take place on a curve, and in 7% of cases, either the truck or the other vehicle stops in a traffic lane.

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  1. 8.3% of nationwide vehicle crashes involve large trucks.

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Making Sense of the Numbers

It’s easy to let these statistics give you nightmares every time you go to sleep. The data collected by these institutions paint a relatively grim portrait of the life of a truck on the road. However, there are some important conclusions to point out:

  • Large vehicles aren’t necessarily more likely to be involved in a car crash. However, when they are, they are more likely to be fatal to those involved;
  • Most large truck collisions take place because of another vehicle entering the truck’s lane.

The good news is that large truck accident trends have reached a record low, due to new restrictions and rules put in place by states to ensure a safer road for everyone. From 2005 up until 2016, the number of 18-wheelers accidents lowered by nearly 15% thanks to new speed restrictions.

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