Bus and Truck Accidents Are Tragically Common Across the United States

 Posted on June 19,2018 in Bus Accident Injury

A recent tragic accident between a school bus and dump truck in New Jersey reminded Americans nationwide of the inherent dangers of driving large commercial vehicles. In all, 43 students suffered injuries in the accident, while two bus occupants were killed. The accident occurred when the bus was struck by the dump truck while attempting a U-turn through a cut-through on New Jersey’s Interstate 80. Both drivers are under investigation for reckless and negligent driving. 

Due to the overall size of both school buses and commercial trucks, when accidents involving these vehicles occur, they come with increased severity. If a member of your family has been injured in an automobile accident involving large commercial vehicles, it is important to understand your options for pursuing compensation from the negligent party or parties. 

Commercial Trucking and Busing Statistics 

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 4,440 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal collisions throughout 2016 alone. Overall, there were over 100,000 accidents involving large commercial vehicles that resulted in injury. Troublingly, these types of accidents are seemingly on the rise. 

In 2016, the FMCSA recorded a 2% percent increase in trucking and busing fatalities in comparison to the previous year. More concerning is the fact that the fatality count in 2016 represents a massive 29% increase from our nationwide low in death counts involving buses and trucks, which occurred in 2009. 

Reckless Truck Drivers

Despite the fact that the vast majority of America’s truckers drive with responsibility and follow all traffic laws, most fatal trucking collisions in 2016 involved some form of negligence from the truck driver. In just under one third of all fatal trucking collisions, the truck driver was driving over the speed limit for large trucks. What is equally alarming is that the FMCSA found that impairment (drug use, alcohol consumption, fatigue) was the third most common factor in trucking fatalities. 

Contact a Lake County Truck and Bus Accident Lawyer 

As mentioned above, the overwhelming majority of truck and bus drivers drive with extreme caution. Still, these vehicles can be incredibly difficult to drive. Due in large part to the sheer mass of large buses and trucks, these vehicles can be much more difficult to turn, brake, and generally navigate. Due to those concerns, it is no surprise that trucking and busing accidents are rising nationwide. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle collision this summer, contact the experienced and supportive team of Waukegan personal injury attorneys at Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. Call our office at 847-662-3303 to set up a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2016

http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2018/06/nj_school_bus_accident_parents_sue_trucking_compan.html