According to a recent federal report, the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks increased by 3 percent in 2016. The report included a full year of statistical analysis and research. The increase in fatalities highlighted by the data could be disturbing news for drivers in California and across the country.
The report, drafted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, shows that fatalities related to large truck accidents went from 4,074 in 2015 to 4,213 in 2016. However, the ‘large-truck involvement rate,” a statistic used to compare the number of collisions to the number of miles traveled by large trucks, stayed constant.
It’s important to note that the long-term trend over previous decades remains positive. Additionally, there is some indication that the increase may be somewhat of an anomaly. According to the report, a factor other than the large truck or its driver caused 73 percent of the fatal crashes. These so-called ‘critical pre-crash events” can include other vehicles, people, animals or objects encroaching into a truck’s lane.
As the frequency of truck accidents increases, so do the number of viable personal injury claims. If an individual is hurt in a crash caused by a negligent truck driver, a claim may cover damages that include medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. An attorney with experience in truck accidents may be able to help a client recover damages from the at-fault trucker or their employer. Additionally, legal counsel could try to negotiate a settlement with the responsible party or their insurance company.