Many drivers feel more comfortable traveling next to a car that is the same size as theirs, because they feel vulnerable driving next to a large tractor trailer. While this feeling seems to be shared by the vast majority of passenger vehicle drivers, large trucks are needed to transport goods across this nation and are therefore here to stay.
Unfortunately, the numbers don’t lie, and large commercial trucks do present a danger on the road. In 2010, 3,413 people died in truck crashes nationwide, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and only 14 percent of those deaths were truck drivers and their passengers.
Because of such high numbers, drivers of passenger vehicles need to be informed of where and when these fatal truck crashes in Sarasota and throughout the nation are occurring. Some truck facts from 2010 to be aware of include:
- Deadly truck crashes occur most often during the daytime hours. In fact, 50 percent of large truck fatalities took place between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., but more fatal car crashes not involving trucks occur at night.
- While the majority of deadly truck crashes occur during the week, approximately 17 percent of fatal truck wrecks happened over the weekend.
- The majority of fatal truck accidents take place on major roadways other than interstates and freeways and account for 61 percent of truck-related deaths. About nine percent occur on minor roads, and 29 percent happen on freeways and interstates.
Now that you understand where and when the majority of fatal Sarasota truck wrecks are occurring, you may be more aware of large trucks so you can avoid a collision with a semi truck. However, there are other factors that contribute to large truck accidents in Sarasota and nationwide, including:
Driver: Truck drivers often are fatigued because they drive too many hours, up to 11 hours at a time. This can compromise their judgment and driving skills and increase their crash risk.
Truck Weight. Trucks weigh about 30 times as much as passenger vehicles. This fact alone can be enough to cause serious damage and injuries to occupants of passenger cars.
Braking. Large trucks take longer to stop. In fact, loaded trucks may need about 40 percent more room than passenger cars to bring their trailers to a complete stop.
If your loved one died in a Sarasota truck accident caused by the negligence of a trucker, you need to talk with an experienced Sarasota truck crash lawyer as soon as possible. Truck companies have lawyers and insurance companies read to fight for them and diminish your claim, which is why you need someone in your corner. Call Mallard Perez today for a free, no-obligation consultation at (888) 409-3805 and find out more about your rights.
