Crashes involving big rigs and busses are among the most devastating to both people and property. The size and weight of these vehicles, when compared to normal passenger vehicles, bring to mind a David-versus-Goliath image. It is always good news when any crash rate involving these metal giants drops.
Official federal statistics show that fatal crashes involving tractor trailers and busses are falling. In 2014, the most recent year for which complete, final statistics are available, deaths in bus and large truck crashes were down. The number of large truck crashes producing fatalities dropped by five percent; the number of bus crashes leading to deaths dropped by 17 percent.
There are also positive trends relating to large trucks and injuries over the last 20 years:
- the injury rate in crashes involving large trucks has dropped by about one-half, from 53.3 percent to 29.4 percent; and
- the percentage of large trucks involved in injury-producing crashes has dropped from 56.2 percent to 31.7 percent.
These statistics are especially impressive when you consider the increase in miles travelled and the increasing numbers of trucks on the road. In fact, when comparing 2013 and 2014, trucks covered about 1.5 percent more miles, while bus travel increased by over five percent. And the number of trucks has increased in the last 20 years from about 6.5 million to nearly 11 million.
The only type of crash that increased for big rigs were those that caused only property damage, such as damage to vehicles. In the last year, large trucks were involved in about 29 percent more of this type of crash.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident with a tractor trailer, contact the personal injury lawyers at the Alexander Law Group, LLP or call 888.777.1776. All calls are free and confidential.
