Large Vehicle Accidents by the Numbers [21 Data Driven Slides]

A look at statistics over recent years for large truck accidents (18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, big-rig, buses, etc.). Is there data driven story developing?

Commercial vehicle driver fatigue regulations are being reviewed, can more be done to increase safety on our nations highways?

We looked at the number of fatal accidents involving large trucks, by time of day, weekday, and location in an effort to understand what may be behind these catastrophic wrecks.

Additionally, we take a look at past driving record data, including speeding tickets and DWI convictions in an effort to shed some light on causal agents. Is driver error really the #1 cause of accidents? The answer may surprise you.

Check out what the data has to say and our interpretation, and comment with your reaction to the data.

1. Tractor Trailer & Bus
CRASH Facts
(Truck Accidents by the Numbers)

2. What Does the
Data Say About
Truck Accidents?

3. 29,200
29,400
29,600
29,800
30,000
30,200
30,400
30,600
30,800
31,000
31,200
FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2011 FY 2010
Motor Vehicle Fatal Crash Statistics
(Involving Large Trucks & Buses)
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

4. Get Your Free Case Evaluation
Annual statistics for fatal crashes involving
large trucks and buses does not reveal a
pattern.
2012 proved the deadliest year by as
many as 1,000 additional victims.
https://www.mcdonaldworley.com

5. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2011 FY 2010
Large Trucks & Buses Injury Crash Statistics

6. The number of accidents involving semi-
trucks resulting in injuries has been
growing according to the NHTSA data.

7. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
22%
78%
28%
64%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Weekend
Weekday
Nightime
Daytime
Percentage of Fatal Crashes by Time of Day, Day
of Week (Involving Large Trucks), 2012

8. To Learn More About Your Rights After an Accident
The majority of fatal crashes are occurring
on weekdays, during the daytime.
This can be explained by the higher
frequency of activity during these periods
by big-rigs, tractor-trailers and other
commercial vehicles.
https://www.mcdonaldworley.com

9. Where Do Large Truck Crashes Most
Commonly Occur?
Road Type Deaths(%)
Interstate and freeways 31%
Other major roadways 59%
Minor roads 9%
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

10. The data indicates major roadways are
more dangerous than the highways and
more likely the location of a fatal accident
involving 18-Wheelers and similar
vehicles.

11. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
Large Trucks Light TrucksPassenger CarsMotorcycles
Previous Driving Records of Drivers Involved in Fatal Traffic
Crashes, 2012
Recorded Crashes
DWI Convictions
Speeding Convictions
Recorded Suspensions or Revocations

12. The data indicates professional drivers
with a history of speeding on their record
are more likely to be involved in a deadly
crash.

13. 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000
No Driver Error
Physical Driver Factor
Driver Recognition Factor
Driver Decision Factor
Driver Performance Factor
Vehicle Related Factor
Environment: Highway
Environment: Weather
Unknown Reason
Number of Involved Vehicles by Critical Reason (Trucks),
2001-2003
According to a Large-Truck Crash Causation Study
by the Government
Source: Crash Causation Study

14. The majority of accidents were found not
to be caused by driver error.
However driver decision errors ranked the
second leading cause of a Truck crash.

15. Events which led to crashesincluded
(according to the study):
•Loss of control of the truck
•Poor road conditions due to poor road
maintenance or weather
•Shifting cargo
•Traveling too fast for road conditions
•Improper truck maneuvering during events (turns
and passing through intersections)
•Driver fatigue
•Etc.

16. By General Accident Type Number of Trucks
Miscellaneous 36,409
Right Roadside Departure 14,023
Rear-End 31,935
Same TrafficwaySame Direction 14,785
Left Roadside Departure 11,110
Straight Paths 8,272
Same TrafficwayOpposite
Directions
6,433
Source: NHTSA
Number of Trucks by General Accident Type, 2001-2003
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17. Even a rear-end accident can be
significant when the mass of a tractor-
trailer is taken into consideration.

18. Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHSHLDI)
46%
35%
20%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Belt Used Unbelted Unknown
Safety Belt Use Among Fatally Injured Large Truck
Drivers, 2014

19. Any number of unbelted drivers is too
high as they can drastically reduce the
severity of injuries and save lives.

20. https://www.facebook.com/McDonald-Worley-Attorneys-at-Law-1545738989010631
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21. If you have been involved in a crash involving a semi-
truck, contact us immediately to get more information
about your legal rights.
>> Claim Your FREE case review here <<
https://www.mcdonaldworle
y.com/semitruckaccident.php
You need legal representation focused on your recovery.
Don’t let the insurance companies needlessly push you
around. We can help make sure you know which
options are best for you and your family.
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