CHICAGO, IL – Commercial trucks on the roadway pose a significant danger to other drivers due to the size, weight, instability, heavy cargo, and tired and distracted drivers.
Commercial Trucks are Deadly
More than 1,100 people died after a collision with commercial trucks in 2019 alone, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Sixty-seven percent of fatalities were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, 16 percent of fatalities were of truck drivers, and 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.
The number of people who died in large truck accidents was 31 percent higher in 2019 compared to a decade prior. Truck occupant fatalities was 51 percent higher than in 2009.
Getting in any type of collision with a semi-trailer can be catastrophic and even deadly. Many people suffer serious injuries after truck crashes that may include:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Back and neck injuries ranging from minor neck pain to severe injuries such as a dislocated disc
- Lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Seat belt injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- And more
Truck Size
On average, semi-trucks measure 72 feet long, 13.5 feet tall, and 8.5 wide; however, the federal government permits trucks as wide as 102 inches on U.S. Interstate systems.
Truck Weight
A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. The average passengers car weight? About 4,000 pounds. To put this in perspective, if you were to get hit by a semi-truck, the force of impact would be like getting hit by 20 cars at once.
Truck Instability
Commercial trucks and trailers are top-heavy due to their weight and heavy cargo. Overloaded trucks are prone to rollover and jackknife accidents that are responsible for many deadly crashes on highways and interstates.
Unsecured Cargo
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has guidelines that require commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce to properly store cargo with high-density ropes, tie-downs, steel straps, or metal hooks to prevent cargo from shifting, sliding, tipping, or falling off trucks.
According to FMCSA, nearly 50,000 crashes per year are due to improperly secured cargo.
Distracted Driving
Commercial truck drivers drive long hours on the road and are more than 23 times more likely to engage in distracted driving compared to others drivers. Distractions may include texting or talking on the phone, surfing the internet, watch videos, or changing radio stations.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
The skilled attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group are here to help you! Navigating the aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming and stressful. We offer free consultations to review the facts of your case, and help you determine who you can hold accountable for your injuries. Call our office now to receive a free consultation at (312) 384-1920!
