When a large, heavy truck collides with a smaller vehicle, it can cause significant damage. Due to the heavier size and weight of these types of vehicles, it is extremely important for truckers to drive safely and cautiously. Statistics indicate that these types of accidents are increasingly a serious problem in Florida and across the country, and in far too many cases, collisions with a truck result in serious or fatal injuries.
Studying data can be helpful as it provides a measurable way to track and understand accident trends and potentially help prevent them. For example, looking at common times of day when these accidents happen may be able to help experts understand why they happen. In turn, this can lead to new ways to create better technology in tractor-trailers and regulations that will potentially reduce dangerous driving.
Timing is everything: Sobering facts about a serious problem
There is a lot to learn by looking at the typical times of day when truck accidents occur. Trends can indicate when there is a greater chance of an accident and then assist in analyzing the reasons why there may be a spike during specific windows of time. Consider the following facts:
- Most truck accidents involving a fatality happen between the hours of 11:00 am and 4:00 pm in the afternoon.
- In fatal truck accidents, 21% of the truckers involved had previous traffic violations for speeding.
- Fatal truck accidents are slowly on the rise, increasing by almost 6% from 2016 to 2017, which is the latest year complete data is available.
- Most fatal truck accidents take place on interstates through rural areas or primary arterial roads.
- Florida is one of the top five leading states for fatal truck accidents.
There are many reasons why serious or fatal truck accidents occur, and they often relate to the reckless or negligent choices of the truck driver. The aftermath of these complex types of accidents can be traumatic for the drivers who survive, and the families of those drivers who sustain devastating injuries, as well as those who don’t survive. While they will never be made completely whole, with the right counsel, truck accident victims and their families can overcome many of the issues, including the financial losses, damages, expensive medical treatment, pain and suffering, the victim family faces, and will likely experience in the future.
Your right to fight back
It is not easy to hold truckers and trucking companies accountable for their actions. Accordingly, if you are a victim or a victim’s family member, get an experienced truck accident attorney on your side, and obtain the recovery you and your family deserve.