Each day, thousands of commercial trucks transport essential goods, materials, and food products throughout Tennessee, helping the economy thrive. However, with so many large trucks on the road, accidents are bound to happen. When they do, the consequences can be catastrophic.
Truck accidents
According to the National Safety Council, there were 4,862 fatal truck accidents on U.S. roads in 2018, which represents a 1% increase from 2017. There were an additional 112,000 injury crashes involving large trucks in 2018, which represents a 5% increase from 2017.
Research shows that most victims of large truck crashes are occupants of passenger vehicles. For example, of the 4,951 people who were killed in large truck accidents in 2018:
- 71% were occupants of passenger vehicles
- 18% were occupants of large trucks
- 11% were pedestrians, bicyclists, or others
The main reason large trucks cause more injuries and deaths than cars is because of their massive size. The government categorizes large trucks as vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds. However, many commercial trucks weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. When these behemoths smash into passenger cars and trucks, which weigh an average of only 5,000 pounds, the smaller vehicles sustain the most damage.
To make matters worse, insurance claims involving large trucks are often complicated. This is because truck crashes can involve multiple negligent parties, including:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- Loading companies
- Truck manufacturers
- Parts manufacturers
Truck accident victims could be owed compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. A personal injury attorney could help victims sort through the complexities of a truck accident claim and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. If the insurer refuses to settle, the attorney could fight for the victim’s rights in court.
