Commercial trucking is a highly regulated industry. The federal government regulates trucking and commercial vehicles nationwide through the US Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These agencies are responsible for developing and enforcing regulations designed to promote safety on the roadways. As part of this process, these agencies also collect data and information pertaining to trucking inspections, violations, crashes and other important information.
So what do the numbers tell us about the dangerous industry of commercial trucking and the accidents on our nations roadways? A report issued by FMCSA in 2017 reveals that in 2015 trucks and buses were involved in 480,000 crashes, and of those, 97,000 crashes resulted in personal injuries and 3,838 were fatal crashes. Since 2011 the number of accidents involving trucks and buses has been on the rise, as have the number of truck-involved crashes resulting in injuries. In 2015 alone California saw 313 fatalities from truck and bus accidents. Although this is on the low-end of the national average, it is nonetheless a troubling statistic.
This study also notes that in 2016 there were over 3 million vehicle violations received as a result of trucking inspections, and over 350,000 traffic violations. Most common vehicle violations dealt with defective equipment such as lights, brakes, tires and windshields. While the most common traffic violations included moving violations and over 900 violations involving drugs and alcohol.
The numbers don’t lie. This information clearly demonstrates the prevalence and the severity of truck and bus accidents on our roadways, as well as countless equipment violations and traffic infractions that may be the cause of these terrible accidents. If you have been involved in a truck accident it is a good idea to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can assist you with all of your potential claims.
Source: 2017 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, June 2017.
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