There Are More Than 500,000 Truck Accidents Each Year On U.S. Highways

Written by Adam Peck Category: Injury Law January 16th, 2013 2 min read

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, each year, there are more than 500,000 truck accidents on U.S. roadways that result in approximately 5,000 fatalities. Most truck accidents occur on weekends and in rural areas and, according to statistical analysis, are caused by:

Driver fatigue
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI), including prescription and illicit drugs
Failure to obey traffic laws, such as running red lights or failing to use signals
Improper loading of cargo or driving with an unsecured load
Lack of training
Reckless driving, such as unsafely passing, speeding or cutting off other drivers
Vehicle equipment failure, including tire blowouts, and/or lack of adequate maintenance on the truck
Weather conditions and/or poor road conditions
Due to the size and weight of trucks, truck crashes tend to cause more damage, greater injuries and higher repair costs than other types of auto accidents.

Types of Truck Vehicles
Trucks are classified according to their weigh, and the categories include:

Mini trucks, such as Japanese mini trucks and microvans
Light trucks, such as minivans, SUVs, pickup trucks, tow trucks and panel vans
Medium trucks, such as box trucks, platform trucks, flatbed trucks, firetrucks and motorhomes
Heavy trucks, such as dump trucks, garbage trucks, refrigerator trucks, tankers, crane trucks, tractor trailers and cement mixers
Very heavy trucks and transporters, such as heavy haulers
The weight of the truck, as well as the speed of the truck (and any other involved vehicles), will affect the severity of a given trucking accident.

What to Do After a Truck Crash
If you or a loved one has been victim of a truck accident, it’s essential that you:

Seek emergency medical attention to assess the state of your health
Follow through with all prescribed treatments for the best chances of recovery

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Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.