Although we depend on tractor-trailers to get the things we need, there’s no denying that these oversized vehicles are also dangerous. Truck crashes account for a disproportionate number of catastrophic injuries for traffic collision victims; weighing 80,000 pounds fully loaded, these oversized vehicles do a lot of damage.
How does California compare to the rest of the nation when it comes to semi-truck safety? Our California truck accident attorneys analyze facts and figures to see how the Golden State stacks up.
Shocking statistics demonstrating the dangers of commercial truck accidents
Figures from the Institute for Safe Trucking indicate that California has the second-highest rate for fatal truck accidents in the country. In a recent year, there were a total of 5,788 commercial vehicle accident fatalities in the U.S.; 437 of those fatal accidents were in California, or 8% of the total. The Institute for Safe Trucking notes that truck accident deaths in California increased by 67% over the span of a decade, indicating that the chances of getting into a fatal crash grow with each passing year.
Data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHSTA) supports this conclusion. From 2021 to 2022, traffic fatalities in California increased by 7.6%. And, in 2021, 416 out of the 6,114 vehicles involved in fatal collisions were semi-trucks.
Additionally, data from the NHSTA noted that large trucks had a higher percentage (21%) of prior recorded accidents than other vehicles, including passenger cars (18%) and motorcycles (19%). Finally, three percent of large truck accidents were caused by the truck driver being over the legal limit for alcohol consumption (for commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04% BAC).
The dangers of large trucks
Commercial drivers are held to a higher standard of safety than private drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets specific guidelines, including hours of service that drivers are allowed to operate the vehicle, mandatory rest times, and specific training and licensure that they must complete. Failure to adhere to FMCSA standards can cause a trucker to lose their commercial driver’s license (CDL).
These standards are intended to preserve the safety of others on the road; a driver driving longer than legally permitted may be too tired to properly control the vehicle. Or, one who fails to complete the required checks of the truck and cargo may overlook potential dangers of shifting cargo or a malfunctioning vehicle, both of which create conditions where a crash is more likely.
Trucking companies also have a responsibility to keep others safe. Even if the driver is a contracted driver and not a direct employee of the company, the carrier must still ensure that the driver is properly licensed, follows FMCSA guidelines, and doesn’t operate outside the permitted hours of service.
Legal help after a devastating truck accident
Insurance companies will seek any reason to deny or minimize your valid claim after a crash. An experienced truck accident lawyer, like those at Ernst Law Group, can help you get the compensation you deserve after a wreck. Our firm has decades of combined experience litigating complex truck accident claims, and a thorough knowledge of FMCSA and California regulations for truckers.
We can pinpoint exactly where truckers violated these regulations, negligently causing the crash and your injuries. Contact us at (805) 541-0300 for a free consultation.
