Fatal truck crashes becoming a common occurrence

There were 3,921 fatalities and 104,000 injuries from truck crashes in 2012, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That’s over ten fatal crashes and over 284 injuries a day. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that fatal truck crashes were up over 18% between 2009 and 2012, although the annual distance trucks travel on the highway is down 2.67% and the number of trucks is down 2.86%.

A recent story by NBC News talked about the surge in truck accidents and lack of public outcry. Fatal truck accidents are all too common, averaging nearly 11 times every single day in this country, killing nearly 4,000 people each year, and injuring more than 100,000, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The NBC report likened those numbers to a commuter jet crashing every single week of the year, […]

Trucker Falsified Logbook in Fatal I-55 Chain Reaction Crash

A tractor-trailer driver that was involved in a chain-reaction crash that left four people dead and four others injured last month is being held on $1 million bail and was charged with falsifying a logbook and willful violation of a logbook. He was also cited for speeding.

According to Illinois State Police, the driver was not following posted construction site speed limit signs when he slammed into a car causing a chain reaction crash involving three vehicles and another tractor-trailer.

The truck crashed into the vehicles that were stopped in traffic in a construction zone at 2:17 p.m. the driver stated that he started work around 6-6:30 a.m., when he actually started work at about 2:30 a.m., meaning that he had been behind the wheel of his semi for almost 12 hours when the accident occurred. It was reported that witnesses at the scene said the truck failed to slow down for the stopped vehicles. […]

Crash tests find tractor trailer underride guards often fail

Most tractor trailers are required to have underride guards, steel bars that hang from the backs of trailers to prevent a passenger car from moving underneath the truck during a crash. According to the IIHS, when a passenger vehicle ends up under a truck, the top of the occupant compartment gets crushed because the structures designed to absorb the energy of the crash are bypassed. The airbags and safety belts can’t do their jobs and people inside can experience life-threatening head and neck injuries.

Earlier research from the IIHS showed the minimum strength and dimensions required for underride guards were inadequate, prompting the Institute to petition the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2011 for tougher standards. The Institute also asked the NHTSA to consider applying the standards to other types of large trucks, such as dump trucks that aren’t required to have any underride guards. […]

Actor and Comedian Tracy Morgan critically injured in New Jersey tractor trailer crash

Deadly tractor trailer crash leaves one dead and several, including Tracy Morgan, seriously injured

Former Saturday Live Cast Member and “30 Rock” star Tracy Morgan was critically injured early this morning when the limo bus he was riding in was hit by a tractor-trailer in a fatal six-vehicle accident on the New Jersey Turnpike, about 50 miles south of New York City. The crash left one passenger in the limo bus dead and several others with serious injuries. The Los Angeles Times reported that the limo bus was overturned after being hit by a tractor-trailer.

Two tractor-trailers were involved in the crash, which occurred about 1a.m. in the northbound lane in Robinsville. Earlier in the evening, Morgan had appeared at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, as part of his multi-city comedy tour called “Turn It Funny.”

ABC News is reporting that a dozing truck driver didn’t see traffic slowing in front of his 18-wheeler until it was too late, […]

Pennsylvania turnpike worker killed by tractor-trailer

A fatal accident had a portion of the Pennsylvania turnpike in Chester County closed yesterday morning. A 61-year-old turnpike equipment operator, who was part of a crew completing maintenance in a closed lane, was struck and killed when a tractor-trailer entered the lane. Another turnpike worker was also injured in the accident. The deadly accident occurred in West Pikeland Township, shortly after 8a.m. on the westbound lane of the PA turnpike.

According to the Unites States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Safety Administration, almost 30% of all work zone crashes involve large trucks. They report that the number of people killed in work zone crashes involving large trucks has also been increasing, with over 1,000 fatalities and 180,000 injuries occurring during the last five years.

Highway work zones are hazardous not only for both motorists who drive through the complex array of signs and lane changes, […]