Commercial trucks, also known as 18-wheelers, are used on a daily basis to pick up and deliver products or goods across the country. These vehicles are vital to the life of the country’s economy, but they pose a number of threats while on the road due to their sheer size. There are an estimated 15.5 million trucks in the United States with big rigs, semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and tractor trailers accounting for roughly 13 percent of these vehicles, or just over two million trucks.
Unfortunately, commercial truck accidents happen frequently across the United States and often result in injury or death. Sadly, the victims of these accidents are often the drivers of smaller passenger vehicles who are left to deal with costly medical bills, property damage, and emotional trauma in addition to any physical harm they may have experienced.
Texas and National Truck Accident Statistics
The statistics about truck accidents nationally and in Texas are shocking. Some national statistics from the Department of Transportation include the following:
- There are roughly 500,000 trucking accidents every year in the United States
- An estimated 5,000 of these accidents result in a fatality
- Truck accidents cause roughly 130,000 injuries every year across the country
- In truck accidents, 98 percent of all fatalities occur to the driver or another individual in the passenger vehicle
- The average cost of a commercial truck accident is $59,150
- There are 2.3 deaths and 60.5 injuries caused by big rigs for every 100 million miles driven on U.S. roadways
The Texas Department of Transportation reports the following statistics regarding truck accidents in Texas:
- There were 284 fatal truck accidents and 2,339 accidents that resulted in serious injuries in 2010
- There were 15,676 commercial truck accidents in 2010 alone
- Texas roads have a fatality rate of 1.29 deaths per 100 million miles traveled
Truck accidents are a very serious matter and threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of people every year across the nation. If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident and need information on where you can turn for help call us today at 800-668-9395.