Florida Truck Accident Attorneys
Truck Accident Statistics
According to federal data from 2008, 11 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities reported involved large trucks, defined as vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds.
Among those killed, 74 percent were in the motor vehicles, while 16 percent were occupants of the large trucks.
Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to about 31 percent of fatal crashes. In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that 11,674 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes.
It is not uncommon for drivers of large trucks and passenger vehicles to have prior speeding convictions.
263 people lost their lives in 2008 in Florida collisions with a large truck, a number that has been in decline since 2004.
Nationwide, 677 occupants of large trucks were killed in 2008.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents Include:
- Sleepy or fatigued drivers
- Inexperienced Drivers
- Drug or alcohol intoxication
- Poorly Maintained Brakes
- Overloaded Trucks/Trailers
- Improperly loaded or secured Trucks/Trailers
- Running Off The Road, dangerous or reckless driving
- Poorly Maintained Safety Systems, Brake Lights, Head Lights, Turn Signals, Reflectors, Etc.
- Failure To Yield Right Of Way
- Speeding
- Driver Distraction / Inattention
More Truck Accident Statistics from NHTSA:
- Every 16 minutes of every day, a person in the U.S. is injured or killed in an accident with a large truck
- There were more than 450,000 accidents involving large trucks in the U.S. last year
- More than 140,000 individuals are injured in big-rig accidents annually
- Big-rigs, tractor-trailers, semi trucks can weigh up to 30 times more than a passenger vehicle.
- Approximately 700 occupants of large trucks die in crashes each year.
- Driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of large truck accidents
- A large truck traveling 55 mph can take the length of a football field to stop.
- 62% of fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred in rural areas in 2007
- Most of the fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred during the daytime (66%)
- In 2007, large truck drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher was 1%.
- Drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes the same year with a BAC of 0.089 or higher was 23%, 23% for light trucks, and 27% for motorcycles.
- About 24% of all large truck drivers who were involved in a fatal crash in 2007, had at least one prior speeding conviction. Compare that to passenger vehicles where 19 percent of drivers involved in a fatal crash had at least one prior speeding conviction.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a large truck, you will need the help of an experienced Florida truck accident attorney to help you get your life back together after this devastating injury.
Please visit our Florida Truck Accident Website for more info.
Our personal promise: Accident victims have specific rights, but by law you have a limited time to take action. When you use our team at Farah & Farah, there are NO up-front charges.
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Our fee is a percentage of the money awarded payable only when your case is successfully concluded. No matter how many times you call and how long we talk, there is NO CHARGE or cost until your case settles. Do not sign any releases, agreements or give any statements until you have spoken with us about your legal rights. When it comes to getting you more, we won't settle for less!
We personally promise that you will be treated with the respect and dignity you deserve. We promise to keep you up to date and informed as to developments in your case. Your case is important to us, regardless of size.
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