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Big trucks travel along America’s highways, rural roads, and urban roads. They are a vital part of the U.S. economy and are estimated to move about 71.4% of the nation’s freight by weight. According to the American Trucking Association, in 2021, registered trucks traveled 331 billion miles! Unfortunately, accidents involving large trucks often result in serious injuries. Here are some of the common injuries sustained in large truck accidents.
With so many hours on the road, accidents, where deaths and injuries occur, are inevitable. In 2018, it was reported that 4,862 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes; this represented a 1% increase over the previous year.
In 2021, we had over 39,508 fatal crashes in the USA. Big trucks were involved in 13.5% of all fatal accidents. Although many factors contribute to these crashes, driver error is often to blame. Truck drivers often face pressure from their employers, spend up to eleven hours a day on the road, and must contend with numerous blind spots while driving.
Although the benefits of these trucks to our economy are essential, these statistics underscore the potential public hazard they often present, especially in Texas, which has some of the most hazardous roads. Below, we will explore some of the contributing factors to these accidents, common injuries, and how you can get help if you are a truck crash victim.
Several factors contribute to trucking accidents. Most of these crashes fall into one or a combination of three categories: vehicle issues/maintenance, driver-related, and environmental conditions.
Read More: How are Truck Accidents Different From Car Accidents?
Regarding driving in Texas, the state has several deadly highways. One study concluded that 10 percent of the fatal car accidents that happened in the U.S. happened in Texas, and 62 percent of those occurred on the state’s highways and interstates.’
Value Penguin compiled a list of the nation’s top fifty most dangerous highways. Texas claimed eleven spots on the list, with Interstate 10 ranking in the top five. Their research found that the highest number of fatal crashes occurred on the stretch of I-10 that runs through Harris County. Overall, from 2010 to 2016, 585 fatal accidents occurred on Interstate 10.
Additionally, the rise in shipping goods has led to an increase in accidents, such as the FedEx truck accident.
If you live in Texas, you must be extremely vigilant while driving, as the statistics above reveal that conditions in the state are particularly hazardous. Truck accident injuries happen often. When a truck is involved in an accident, fatalities are only part of the outcome. Many people also suffer severe injuries in truck crashes, and often, they are the occupants of the other vehicles involved. Below are some of the common injuries that victims of truck accidents experience.
– A passenger vehicle is no match for a semi-truck since the average truck weighs about 40 tons, and a car weighs less than two tons. When an accident occurs between these two types of vehicles, the force that impacts a car can have a tremendously detrimental effect on the occupants. A crash can cause whiplash, severe pain, and even paralysis.
– When a car is struck by a large truck, one of the most severe injuries that the driver can experience is spinal cord injuries. Often, the victims will be in extreme pain, need surgery, or may suffer permanent damage such as paralysis. Those who escape permanent injury may still require extensive physical therapy to return to normal functioning.
– Two other types of serious injuries that persons involved in truck accidents often experience are head and brain trauma. These injuries can be dramatically life-changing, resulting in permanent disability, including blindness, disfigurement, and hearing loss.
– Broken bones are also another frequent outcome of truck accidents. Broken ribs can be especially dangerous as they can puncture the lungs or other vital organs.
– Sometimes, the equipment in a passenger vehicle designed to protect occupants in an accident can contribute to injury. During a crash, when airbags are deployed, they can lead to blunt abdominal trauma. Also, seatbelts, which can save a person from being ejected from the car in an accident, can cause chest pain and severe injuries to organs such as the liver, bladder, spleen, and kidneys.
– Many 18-wheeler accidents involve a fatality. In 2021, there were 5,340 fatal large truck accidents, according to the DOT.
Read More: I-45 in Texas, One of America’s Most Dangerous Highways
An experienced truck accident attorney can help victims seek maximum compensation for an accident that was not their fault. You should hire an experienced truck accident attorney and retain them as soon as possible. The earlier your lawyer can investigate your case, the better their chance of getting important evidence to make a strong case on your behalf.
If you or someone you know was the victim of a truck accident, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer in Texas. An attorney familiar with large truck accidents can conduct a thorough investigation that involves gathering pertinent documents, interviewing witnesses, and viewing surveillance footage.
A qualified attorney will also be able to negotiate with insurance and trucking companies and skillfully represent you in court if necessary.
Call (281) 893-0760 for a FREE truck wreck injury consultation!
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