NHTSA Data 2005

18-wheeler accidents happen every day in San Antonio. Both drivers and passengers of automobiles experience severe injuries and even death as a result of these accidents. The San Antonio big truck accident attorneys of Carabin Shaw are dedicated to working hard on behalf of accident victims and their rights. Our attorneys will fight for you to receive the financial compensation to which anyone injured in a semi-truck accident is entitled to receive because of the negligence of an 18-wheeler driver.

Every year, more than 400,000 accidents involving commercial trucks and 18-wheelers happen across the U.S. – this includes commercial box trucks and tractor-trailer combinations. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports nearly 4000 fatalities involving large trucks in 2015 alone. (Most of the 18-wheeler accidents, including those in San Antonio, involved passenger automobiles and motorcycles)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has conducted extensive research to help the public better understand the risks drivers face each day. The NHTSA data from 2005 provides information specific to accidents involving large commercial trucks and 18-wheelers.

• Statistics for 2005 indicate 1 of 8 traffic fatalities were associated with semi-truck accidents.
• Over 442,000 large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds) were involved in traffic crashes in the United States; 4,932 were involved in fatal crashes. More than 5000 fatalities, representing 12 percent of total traffic fatalities for that same year, were reported. There were over 100,000 additional injuries in large truck accidents as well.
• Large trucks accounted for 3 percent of all registered vehicles and 8 percent of total vehicle miles traveled (2005 registered vehicle and vehicle miles traveled data not available). Of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes, large trucks account for 8% of them. Where there are non-fatal injuries and property damage only, large trucks, such as 18-wheelers, make up 4% of the vehicles involved.
• In 50% of the two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a large truck and another type of vehicle, both vehicles were proceeding straight at the time of the crash. In 10 percent of the crashes, the other vehicle was turning. In 8 percent, either the truck or the other vehicle was negotiating a curve. In 7 percent, either the truck or the other vehicle was stopped or parked in a traffic lane (5% and 2%, respectively).
• The majority of traffic fatalities involving large trucks happen in rural areas during daytime hours, Monday through Friday. Most of these accidents happen between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, most of these accidents occur during the overnight hours of 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Of the fatalities that resulted from crashes involving large trucks, 76 percent were occupants of another vehicle.
• 74 percent of injuries involving large trucks were sustained by occupants of other vehicles

Today’s drivers, commercial truck operators, and passengers need to be aware of the dangers before them. This is why the NHTSA data from 2005 and other information from safety agencies plays an important role when an attorney is evaluating an accident case. As we share the highways with commercial vehicles, semi-truck accidents will occur and serious injury or death is a likely result.

If you have experienced personal injury or the death of a loved one as a result of an 18-wheeler accident, you need a San Antonio big truck accident attorney who understands information like the NHTSA data from 2005 as well as what to do. You want an attorney who will fight to represent you and your family against the companies that own large trucks and commercial vehicles.

The attorneys of Carabin Shaw in San Antonio will help you if you’ve been injured as the result of an accident with an 18-wheeler. Our 18-wheeler truck accident attorneys in San Antonio will be able to make sure that you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries, lost wages, disability, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

In San Antonio, you can schedule a free consultation with an attorney by calling 800-862-1260.

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