Fatal Crashes Involving Tractor-Trailers Continue to Rise

As the consumer automotive industry continues to improve in automated safety technologies like lane-maintenance and crash-avoidance systems, the commercial transport industry is notably lagging in these life-saving innovations. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2018 shows the number of fatal crashes involving a tractor-trailer continue to rise for the 4th consecutive year to 4,678.

This increase in deadly crashes has resulted in widespread calls for increased regulation requiring safety systems in heavy-duty trucks, and we wholeheartedly agree.

These heavy-duty commercial trucks, when fully loaded, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The difficulty of maneuvering such a large vehicle, plus the long working hours truck drivers are expected to maintain, creates a dangerous combination. Too often, our firm sees this combination result in tragedy when a motorist gets seriously injured or killed in a collision with a commercial truck.

Something must be done about the increase of trucking fatalities, and we believe that any technology that can make the road safer for all drivers is a step in the right direction.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a collision with a heavy-duty commercial truck, we are just a phone call away. We’ll hold the trucking company accountable.