Trucks are incredibly important to the New Jersey economy. In fact, around 70% of all products sold in the U.S. are transported by truck. Although large commercial trucks are essential to keep our country running, they also pose a threat to the safety of everyone on the roadways.
Every year, thousands of people are killed and hundreds of thousands of people are injured in accidents involving commercial trucks. Here are three more disturbing facts about truck accidents:
#1: Truck accidents are on the rise
Over the past decade, the demand for truck transportation and the number of truck accidents have both been going up. Since 2009, there has been a 52% increase in motor vehicle accidents involving trucks.
#2: Most truck accident deaths are passengers is smaller vehicles
Around 97% of the people killed in truck accidents are occupants of smaller vehicles. Truck drivers are better insulated against injury since they are inside of a much larger vehicle. Statistically, male truck drivers are more likely to be killed in accidents than female truck drivers.
#3: Mechanical defects are the primary cause of truck accidents
The leading cause of truck accidents in the U.S. is mechanical defects. Specifically, problems with truck tires account for 30% of all accidents involving trucks. Other common causes of truck crashes include new truck routes and truck driver fatigue.
Who is at fault for truck accidents?
Since truck drivers are employed or contracted to make deliveries, there could be multiple liable parties for truck accidents. For example, a trucking employer that pressured its drivers to work beyond legal hours of service could be partially liable for an accident. If a truck mechanic failed to notice a tire problem at an inspection, that oversight could make them liable for an accident. A person who was injured in a truck accident can name multiple liable parties in their truck accident claim.
