May 18, 2022 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks play a vital role in the United States’ economy.
Each day, 18-wheelers deliver countless items that bring consumers their products and help businesses run more efficiently.
Nowadays, speed is essential. Consumers and businesses both want their goods as quickly as possible.
As experts in truck accident law, we must constantly review statistics, facts, and data for motor vehicle accidents involving semi-trucks. When clients come to us after they were involved in a truck accident while driving their personal car, truck, or motorcycle, we know there are important factors to analyze in order to determine who is at fault.
Commercial truck drivers carry a lot of responsibility when they get behind the wheel of a truck that size, and unfortunately, many times they also face strenuous working conditions. They must meet strict deadlines while also driving long shifts. Combining that with poor road conditions, inexperienced drivers, or a mechanically flawed machine can lead to devastating results.
As personal injury attorneys, it is our job to help our clients receive fair compensation when they are involved in a trucking collision. Because of this, we have certain statistics and facts that we refer to when analyzing a crash site and building our case.
The data below was compiled from reports created by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
| State | Fatal Crashes |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 85 |
| Alaska | 4 |
| Arizona | 83 |
| Arkansas | 75 |
| California | 320 |
| Colorado | 80 |
| Connecticut | 20 |
| Delaware | 13 |
| District of Columbia | 0 |
| Florida | 275 |
| Georgia | 195 |
| Hawaii | 6 |
| Idaho | 44 |
| Illinois | 126 |
| Indiana | 119 |
| Iowa | 63 |
| Kansas | 71 |
| Kentucky | 75 |
| Louisiana | 89 |
| Maine | 23 |
| Maryland | 46 |
| Massachusetts | 27 |
| Michigan | 76 |
| Minnesota | 59 |
| Mississippi | 93 |
| Missouri | 104 |
| Montana | 19 |
| Nebraska | 37 |
| Nevada | 35 |
| NewHampshire | 12 |
| New Jersey | 52 |
| New Mexico | 54 |
| New York | 112 |
| North Carolina | 138 |
| North Dakota | 21 |
| Ohio | 143 |
| Oklahoma | 120 |
| Oregon | 51 |
| Pennsylvania | 157 |
| Rhode Island | 7 |
| South Carolina | 83 |
| South Dakota | 15 |
| Tennessee | 121 |
| Texas | 556 |
| Utah | 34 |
| Vermont | 7 |
| Virginia | 88 |
| Washington | 73 |
| West Virginia | 41 |
| Wisconsin | 73 |
| Wyoming | 17 |
| Speed Limit | Number of Fatalities | Percent of Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mph or Less | 122 | 0.029 |
| 30 - 35 mph | 281 | 0.066 |
| 40 - 45 mph | 599 | 0.141 |
| 50 - 55 mph | 1401 | 0.331 |
| 60 - 65 mph | 875 | 0.207 |
| 70 - 75 mph | 787 | 0.186 |
| 80 - 85 mph | 30 | 0.007 |
| No Statutory Limit | 49 | 0.012 |
| Year | People Injured in Truck Accidents |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 157000 |
| 1998 | 156000 |
| 1999 | 176000 |
| 2000 | 166000 |
| 2001 | 153000 |
| 2002 | 158000 |
| 2003 | 150000 |
| 2004 | 145000 |
| 2005 | 136000 |
| 2006 | 126000 |
| 2007 | 124000 |
| 2008 | 113000 |
| 2009 | 93000 |
| 2010 | 106000 |
| 2011 | 112000 |
| 2012 | 126000 |
| 2013 | 133000 |
| 2014 | 132000 |
| 2015 | 138000 |
| 2016* | 168000 |
| 2017* | 170000 |
While this is a key marketing tool for delivery services that operate in the trucking industry, it is also a key factor in truck accidents.
Semi-trucks sheer power and weight make them one of the deadliest weapons on the road. Even an accident at a slow speed can cause devastating results.
The average weight of a semi-truck is around 80,000 pounds and usually weigh 30-35 times more than the average car, however, different factors can cause this number to vary. The weight of a commercial truck depends on several things:
The length of the truck:
The average length of a semi-truck is between 71 and 73 feet (this includes both the cab and the trailer).
The amount/weight of cargo the truck is transporting:
The average weight of a semi-truck’s load is between 70,000 and 80,000 pounds.
The state in which the truck is operating:
Different states allow different maximum load capacity for commercial trucks. South Dakota, the state that allows the most weight to be transported, allows up to 171,000 pounds to be delivered on non-interstate roads.
You can visit our Missouri Truck Accident Statistics for more information specific to the State of Missouri.
As truck accident attorneys in St. Louis we have dealt with many automobile accidents involving semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other commercial trucks. We have seen the catastrophic damages that are the result of these massive vehicles colliding with consumer vehicles. If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial trucking accident contact us to find out your options!
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