Our expert lawyers can help to identify the causes of serious accidents such as auto tire defects and abnormalities, truck driver distractions, and more. Contact us today for a consultation.
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Truck Driver Distractions, Auto Tire Defects and Abnormalities, and Other Accident Causes and Statistics
Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for persons of every age from three to 33-years-old. Out of 6,181,000 motor vehicle traffic crashes that were reported to the police in 2004, there were 42,636 people killed, and 2,788,000 injured. Auto tire defects and abnormalities, truck driver distractions, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, and a host of other factors can lead to these accidents. Our personal injury lawyers at Timothy H. David, P.A. are experienced litigators who can help you make the parties responsible for an auto or truck accident pay compensation for your losses. The following page offers some information on the devastating effects and sad frequency of these accidents on our roadways.
Truck Accident Causes and Statistics
According to information compiled by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), as well as statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a person is killed or injured in a truck accident every 16 minutes. Big rig accidents, caused by truck driver distractions or other issues, are on the rise and one need only to look at them on the road to see how dangerous large trucks can be. The massive size and weight of most commercial vehicles requires extremely professional and attentive drivers in order to safely navigate roadways. However, sometimes this is not the case. Here are some alarming recent statistics regarding truck accidents, followed by some of the things that cause these devastating accidents:
Statistics
Nationwide:
- 2004 – 5,190 fatalities involving large truck crashes
- 91,502 injuries in crashes involving large trucks
- 60,622 large trucks involved in injury crashes
- 134,142 large trucks involved in non-fatal crashes
- 2,510 large trucks involved in Hazmat placard crashes
Florida:
- 2004 – 377 fatalities
- 6,120 injuries in crashes involving large trucks
- 3,923 large trucks involved in injury crashes
- 5,882 large trucks involved in non-fatal crashes
- 94 large trucks involved in Hazmat placard crashes
Causes
- Oversized or overloaded trucks
- Truck driver fatigue
- Not complying with hours of service requirements
- Truck driver exceeding the speed limit
- Reckless, dangerous, or aggressive truck driver
- Driving the truck while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving the truck in poor weather conditions such as fog, rain, snow, or smoke
- Auto tire defects and abnormalities
- Truck driver failure to yield the right of way
- Poor maintenance on the truck's breaking system
- Non-working safety systems such as lights, reflectors, and other warning devices
- Truck operating without under-ride or under-guard protection
- Inexperienced truck driver or truck driver who has not been adequately trained
- Cell phone use and other truck driver distractions
A number of factors can contribute to accidents involving large trucks. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a big rig or tractor trailer accident, contact our attorneys in central Florida and the Orlando area and we will review your case.
Car Accident Causes and Statistics
Since 1994, there has been a steady decline in death and injury caused by car accidents. However the numbers are still incredibly high:
Statistics
Nationwide:
- 2004 - 19,091 fatalities
- 1,643,000 injuries
Florida:
- 2004 – 1,208 fatalities (passenger car occupants)
Causes
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Driver distraction – cell phone use; eating/drinking; changing radio stations; visual inattentiveness; talking to other passengers; etc.
- Auto tire defects and abnormalities
- And many other factors
In addition, motorcycle accidents claimed 4,008 lives in the U.S. and 432 in Florida; pedestrian fatalities totaled 68,000 nationwide and there were 493 fatalities in Florida in 2004.
In more than half of all car accident cases, passengers killed in the crash were not wearing their safety belts.
Contact Us
Auto tire defects and abnormalities, truck driver distractions, drunk driving, and many more issues can contribute to the alarming number of fatalities and injuries that happen on our roadways every day. If you have been a victim of a vehicular accident, contact our attorneys today at Timothy H. David, P.A. and we will review your case.