Texas roads and highways aren’t getting any safer.
In fact, the Lone Star State continued to lead the nation in large truck and 18-wheeler accident fatalities during 2019.
Texas Truck and 18-Wheeler Accident Statistics for 2019
According to a recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 652 people died in connection with Texas truck and 18-wheeler accidents that year. California was a distant second, with 408 large truck crash deaths in 2019.
Texas also had the:
- The highest number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes: 658.
- The largest number of total vehicles involved in fatal crashes: 5,208.
- The highest number of large truck occupants killed in crashes: 146.
- The highest number of non-truck occupants killed in trucking-related crashes: 433,
- The greatest number of non-occupants (bicyclist, pedestrians) killed in trucking-related crashes: 73.
National Truck and 18-Wheeler Accident Fatalities for 2019
Across the United States, trucking-related accidents killed 5,006 people in 2019, up from 5,005 in 2018.
- 71% were the occupants of other vehicles.
- 18% were occupants of large trucks.
- 11% were nonoccupants (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.).
Nationwide, around 159,000 people were injured in crashes involving large trucks during 2019, an increase of 5% from the previous year.
- 69% were occupants of other vehicles.
- 29% were occupants of large trucks.
- 3% percent (4,000) were nonoccupants (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.).
Overall, large trucks accounted for 10% of the vehicles involved in fatal crashes and 4% of all vehicles involved in injury and property damage-only crashes in 2019. They also accounted for 4% of all registered vehicles nationwide and 9% of the total vehicle miles travelled that year.
The Where, When, and How Fatal Truck and 18-Wheeler Accidents
The NHTSA analysis also found that 71% of the fatal truck and 18-wheeler accidents reported in 2019 occurred on weekdays (6:00 a.m. Monday to 5:59 p.m. Friday). Roughly 25% occurred on interstates, 57% occurred in rural areas, and 6% of all large truck and 18-wheeler crashes occurred in work zones.
In 2019, the vast majority of fatal truck and 18-wheeler accidents – 81% — involved multi-vehicle crashes. In two-vehicle crashes, both the truck and the other vehicle were struck in the front about 31% of the time. However, large trucks were struck in the rear almost 4 times more often than the other vehicle.
Both vehicles were proceeding straight in 41% of two-vehicle crashes, while the passenger vehicle was attempting a turn regardless of the large truck’s maneuver in 10%. Both vehicles were navigating a curve in 10%, and either the truck or the other vehicle was stopped in a traffic lane in 8% of fatal collisions.
What’s Known About Truckers in Fatal Crashes?
Large truck drivers involved in deadly wrecks during 2019 had a higher percentage (22.9%) of previously recorded crashes than drivers of other vehicle types (motorcycles, 22.0%; passenger cars, 18.9%; and light trucks, 17.8%).
Impaired driving also factored in many large truck and 18-wheeler crashes, with 2% of truckers involved having blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher. Meanwhile, 29% of motorcyclists, 20% of passenger car drivers, and 17% of light truck drivers had BACs of .08 g/dl.
Almost 20% of all large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes during 2019 had at least one prior speeding conviction, slightly higher than passenger car drivers.
Contact Our Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation by Calling 1-888-603-3636 or by Clicking Here
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