The Increasing Amount of Commercial Trucking Delivery Traffic
Like millions of other Americans, you probably purchased at
least something from an online retailer during the recent holiday season. You
may have also noticed a sharp uptick in the number of large trucks and other
delivery vehicles during the holidays, and these two phenomena are not
unrelated.
This past holiday season (to the delight of many online
retailers) saw records for online retail shopping broken left and right. Amazon
set a new sales record over the long Thanksgiving weekend, and Cyber Monday hit
a record $7.9 billion in sales. Online holiday shopping, all and all, accounted
for an estimated $126 billion in sales in 2018.
But a major downside to this trend is that record numbers of
sales translate to a record number of vehicles on the road making deliveries
(known as urban freight). The strong retail economy resulted in a more than 5%
increase in urban freight, which meant more trucks hauling more purchases are
clogging more roads than ever before.
In 2009, it’s estimated there was a single daily internet
delivery for every 25 Americans. Today, there’s closer to one for every eight
Americans, and that traffic is predicted to double again by 2023.
Did you know that car accidents are predicted to become the
fifth leading cause of death in the United States by 2030? Among the deaths
recorded in 2014, 3,660 were caused by a collision with a large truck or bus. Of
the fatalities, 68% were passengers in motor vehicles, while 15% were
bicyclists, motorcyclists or pedestrians.
Modern streets and transportation networks simply aren’t
designed to handle this influx of large trucks and other delivery vehicles,
especially with the added pressure of next-day or, in some cases, one-hour
delivery.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA), 72% of truck accidents resulting in fatalities in 2014 involved tractor-trailers.
With 15.5 million trucks on the road, the odds point to tractor-trailers as
some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road.
Tractor-trailer Accident Statistics: Settlements in the
Billions
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
mandates that tractor-trailers be insured under their policies, which are much
more comprehensive than the kinds of policies held by private individuals. Large
trucks hauling freight are required to carry between $750 thousand and $5
million in insurance coverage.
As a result, when people are injured or die as the result of
an accident in which the driver of a large truck is at fault, it can result in
large settlements. Tractor-trailer accidents cost $20 billion per year in
accident settlements, with close to half of that amount awarded to injured
victims who suffer a diminished or lost quality of life.
According to a Large
Truck Crash Causation Study conducted for the FMCSA:
- 27% of trucks were found to have brake problems
- 19% of drivers were unfamiliar with the route
- 10% of truck drivers felt under pressure
- 7% were overly tired
- 3% experienced tire problems
- 5% were driving in an aggressive manner
- 1% were ill
- 0.4% were under the influence of illegal substances
- 0.3% had been consuming alcohol
How Truck Accident Injuries Are Calculated
Those who have been injured as a result of an accident
involving a truck driver or trucking company typically face enormous medical
bills, an extended recovery period, and they may have to cope with drastic life
changes. In addition, time away from work – or the inability to go back to work
– can compound expenses and alter quality of life for the person following the
accident.
The attorneys at GreeningLaw P.C. are experienced in handing
cases involving large-truck accidents and include all medical expenses,
prescriptions and other medical costs, lost time from work, as well as future
expenses associated with your accident, as well as damages for pain, mental
anguish, scarring and disfigurement and physical impairment. This allows our
clients to continue with their lives without the need to worry about additional
expenses.
What To Do Following a Large-Truck Accident
It’s important to realize that an accident with a tractor-trailer
or similar large commercial vehicle is different than an accident involving
passenger vehicles (i.e., car, pickup truck, motorcycle, etc.).
If you or a loved one was injured as a result of an accident
with a tractor-trailer or other large commercial truck, GreeningLaw P.C. can
help. Our team is committed to the success of your case from day one.
We investigate accidents using every tool at our disposal,
including police reports, video and witness accounts, as well as accident
reconstruction reports and black box reports. Our experience handling cases
involving large-vehicle accidents means we understand the trauma and uncertainty
felt by those we represent.
From our free initial consultation to the settlement or
trial of your case, we provide practical, caring support for you and your
family. And because our lawyers only work on a contingency basis, you only have
to pay attorney fees if you are compensated for your case.
Contact GreeningLaw P.C. today to schedule your free
consultation today. We will help you get
through this. We fight the legal battle
so you have time for healing and renewal.