Truck Facts

Facts about large truck accidents

THE HUMAN COST

Across the Nation:

Deaths and Injuries: In 1999, an estimated 1,027,000 people were involved in 451,000 large Truck accidents . Of those, 5,362 were killed and 142,000 injured; a third suffered severe brain damage or loss of a limb. That constitutes more than 16 truck-related injuries an hour, and more than 14 truck-related deaths a day. (Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways [CRASH])

Truck Drivers Involved in Truck Crashes: Of those involved in truck accidents, 528,000 were truck occupants. 759 were killed and 32,000 were wounded. (CRASH)

Children Involved in Truck Crashes: 609 under-18s were killed in large truck-related crashes in 1999, with an estimated 20,000 injured. (CRASH)

Trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight of Greater Than 10,000 lbs: Tractor-trailers weighing more than 10,000 accounted for the majority of accidents, deaths, and injuries. Such trucks were involved in 412,000 crashes, which resulted in 4,831 deaths and 127,000 injuries. Of these deaths, 552 people were under 18 and 671 were truck occupants. (CRASH)

Although large trucks represent only 3 percent of all registered vehicles on the road, they were involved in over 25 percent of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in multiple-vehicle crashes. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

In Florida:

Top 10 States for Injuries Involving Large Trucks: During 1999, 8,877 of the 142,000 people injured nationwide in tractor-trailer auto accidents were in Florida, the third highest rate of truck-related injuries in the nation. (Fatality Analysis Reporting System, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation)

Top 10 States for Fatalities of Children 0-18 Involving Large Trucks: During 1999, Florida ranked second (behind Texas) for having the most fatalities of children ages 0-18 involving truck-related auto accidents. (Fatality Analysis Reporting System, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation)

The Deadliest County: During 2001, Palm Beach County, Florida, ranked first in traffic accident fatalities involving large trucks and fourth in truck-related crashes. This is the deadliest toll throughout all of Florida’s 67 counties. (The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: Palm Beach Post 7/13/02)

Have you been injured in a trucking accident?

If you have been injured in an accident involving a tractor trailer and need a skilled trucking accident lawyer, please contact Gordon & Partners, P.A. for a free, no-obligation, and confidential consultation. At Gordon & Partners, we believe our system of justice works best when skilled attorneys that have the resources to fully prepare and try a case represent both sides. Please complete our online contact form or call us toll free at 1 (855) 722-2552.

For more information, please see the following related page on our website:
Tractor Trailer Accidents
Truck Accidents
Truck Fatigue
Truck Stats
Do’s and Dont’s of Truck Accidents
Vehicle Accidents FAQs
The Coalition for Commercial Truck Safety
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)