Fatal Truck Accidents on the Decline

The sheer size differential between an 80,000 pound truck and a 5,000 pound car means that car-truck accidents frequently have disastrous consequences. As Birmingham truck accident attorneys know all too well, these collisions often result in vehicle occupants suffering catastrophic personal injuries or even death.

Thankfully, a new report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shows that truck accidents are on the decline. Between 2007 and 2009, the rate of fatal truck crashes fell by 31 percent. Crashes resulting in personal injury dropped by 30 percent during that same time period.

The fatal truck crash rate has fallen by 54.5 percent since 2000 - more than twice the rate of decline for fatal passenger vehicle accidents.

All told, the United States sees approximately 1.12 fatal truck accidents for every 100 million vehicle miles travelled.

Decline Attributed to Truckers' Increased Safety Focus

The president of the American Trucking Association praised these results. He attributed the decline in fatal accidents in part to sensible regulation and technological improvements. He also commended drivers and safety directors for their dedicated focus on increasing safe driving behavior.

Unfortunately, an increased safety emphasis on the part of the nations' truck drivers can only do so much to reduce the rate of serious semi truck accidents. According to the FMCSA, 62 percent of fatal truck-versus-car collisions were caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle. Both rear-end and head-on truck collisions are significantly more likely to be caused by a passenger vehicle striking a truck.

Regardless of who caused the accident, the damage is often catastrophic. If you've been injured in a truck accident caused by another person's negligence, you may have legal recourse to recover for your injuries.

Source: Truck News, "Fewer truck-related deaths on U.S. roads in 2009," 16 November 2011