Preliminary Truck Crash Data For 2009 Released

Preliminary statistics on 2009 tractor trailer crashes have just been released. The Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts: Early Release is based on crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), as well as preliminary total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) data from the Federal Highway Administration.

Among the highlights:

• Of the 286,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks in 2009, 2,987 (1 percent) resulted in at least one fatality, and 51,000 (18 percent) resulted in at least one nonfatal injury.

• Single-vehicle crashes made up 20 percent of all fatal crashes, 16 percent of all injury crashes, and 35 percent of all property damage only crashes involving large trucks.

• Almost two-thirds (64 percent) of all fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred on rural roads, and just over one-fourth (26 percent) occurred on rural and urban Interstate highways.

• Thirty-four percent of all fatal crashes and 20 percent of all property damage only crashes involving large trucks occurred at night.

• The vast majority of fatal crashes (84 percent) and nonfatal crashes (88 percent) involving large trucks occurred on weekdays (Monday through Friday).

• Collision with a vehicle in transport was the first harmful event in 75 percent of fatal crashes involving large trucks.

• Rollover was the first harmful event in only 4 percent of all fatal crashes involving large trucks and only 2 percent of all nonfatal crashes involving large trucks.

When final data become available, FMCSA will publish the final version of the full 2009 report in print and online editions.

If you have been injured or a loved one killed in a tractor trailer accident that was caused by another person’s carelessness or recklessness, you may be able to recover damages that include medical costs, property loss, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Please call our truck accident lawyers for a free assessment of your case or use our Free Online Accident Case Evaluation.