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Truck Crashes Vs. Car Crashes
Driving any type of vehicle comes with many risks, but the risks are far more severe when driving a truck. Trucks weigh more than cars, which adds great severity to crashes involving trucks. On average, trucks often weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger cars. Trucks are also higher off the ground, which also generates more severity to crashes when they do happen. While there may be more car crashes compared to truck crashes, the damage caused from truck crashes tend to be more severe.
Let’s look at some data based on an analysis from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS):
- In 2019, a total of 4,119 people died in large truck crashes
- The number of people who died in large truck crashes was 31% higher in 2019 versus 2009
- In 2019, 97% of deaths involving a crash with a passenger vehicle and a large truck were occupants of the passenger vehicles
- In 2019, 11% of all motor vehicle crash deaths occurred in large truck crashes
What to Know
According to CDL Knowledge, 415,000 crashes involved large trucks in 2015. Of those 415,000 crashes, 4,050 of those were fatal, an overwhelming increase compared to a decade earlier. What can we do to decrease the rate of truck-related crashes from happening? Here are some key tips for both truck and car drivers:
- Wear your seatbelt
- Avoid using your cell phone
- Be aware of speed limits
- Avoid drugs/alcohol
- Plan your trip
- Mind the space cushion between you and a truck
- Slow down for turns/curves
- Maintain a proper stopping distance
- Give large trucks (tractor-trailers) extra space
- Stay out of a trucks blindspot
- Pass a tractor-trailer with care
- Keep size in mind
- Use your best judgement (common sense)
Contact Us
With more and more trucks on the road, it is always important to stay weary of your surroundings and know what to do while approaching one. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a truck-related crash, contact our team of attorneys at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. for a free consultation today.
Sources:
Truck Driving Tips: 10 Ways to Keep You Safe on the Road
Truck Accident Statistics In The US
Rachel D. Olszewski, an attorney at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C., is a dedicated advocate for clients who have suffered unjust harm. Following the legacy of her esteemed family members, Rachel specializes in personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal defense. She is actively involved in professional associations and serves on the board of the Luzerne County Bar Association Charitable Foundation. Rachel is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olszewskirachel/