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Email UsOne of the most important industries in America is trucking. For years, business owners have relied on truck drivers to get their products from point A to point B. Over the years, trucking accidents on the New Jersey roadways have become quite a common occurrence. The following are some statistics that may just surprise you regarding these types of accidents.
- Stopping a Large Truck Takes a Lot of Force
Trying to bring a fully loaded truck to a stop can take up to 40% longer than it will a car. This means that when trying to stop suddenly, a truck driver may have a very hard time. When the road conditions are less than stellar, the stopping time a truck driver has will be even higher. This means that a car drive will need to keep their distance when seeing a truck on the road to avoid being hit.
2. Fatalities are Higher in Trucking Accidents
Statistics show that fatality rates in trucking accidents are much higher in trucking accidents. Nearly 81% of all trucking accidents end in fatality. Only about 58% of car accidents result in fatality. Most of the accidents relating to large trucks are also car accidents due to the size and force these vehicles crash with.
3. Trucking Accidents Are Very Common
There are over 500,000 trucking accidents on the roadways of America each year. This means you will have to keep your head on a swivel when it comes to driving around these large vehicles. The more precautions you take when sharing the roadway with a diesel truck, the lower your chances of being involved in an accident will be.
4. Contributing Factors
For the most part, prescription drug use is the top cause for trucking accidents. Nearly 26% of all of the trucking accidents each year are caused by the illegal use of pills. Another very common cause of these accidents if fatigue. If a truck driver is not getting the right amount of rest, they are putting themselves and others at risk.
5. Lack of Maintenance is Problematic
Some of the trucking accidents on the road are caused by a lack of maintenance. Nearly 15% of all trucking accidents can be tied to a maintenance issue. If a trucking business owner fails to invest money into this type of maintenance, they can be held liable for the damage done in a wreck.
6. The Average Cost of Trucking Accidents is High
The average cost of damages in a trucking accident is nearly $60,000. If you have been injured in a trucking accident, you will have to take the time to consult with a lawyer to find out what your rights are.
7. Some Accidents are Caused By Reckless Driving
Over 34% of all trucking accident fatalities are caused by reckless driving. Driving while distracted and speeding are some of the most common causes of these types of accidents.
8. Driver Fatigue is More Common Than You Think
By law, truck drivers are only supposed to operate their rig for 11 hours a day. Many drivers are put under a lot of pressure to get their load to its destination on time. This can lead to them avoiding rest, which creates fatigue. Driver fatigue is the cause of nearly 34% of all trucking accidents in the country.
The professionals at Rosner Law Offices, P.C. have been helping truck accident victims for year. Call them at (856) 502-1655 to schedule a free consultation.