The growth of the trucking industry is crucial for the US economy. According to the American Trucking Associations, 71 percent of all cargo and freight tonnage is moved in and out of the US on trucks. And to move approximately 10.5 billion tons of cargo each year, the trucking industry needs more than 3.6 million Class 8 heavy-duty trucks and nearly 3.5 million skilled truck drivers.
Simply stated, the US economy would take a dip and practically come to a standstill without the trucks and truck drivers.
Let’s take a look at the current scenario. At present, the US trucking industry is short 60,000 drivers. This gap between the demand and supply of truck drivers is expected to increase in the years to come, and by 2026 the United States is likely to become short 175,000 truckers.
The increasing truck driver shortage has put the companies operating in the truck industry under serious pressure. Not only do they have to meet the tight deadlines, but they also must find skilled drivers who are capable of moving freight. The shortage of truck drivers has snowballed as the prevailing situation has put the existing truck drivers under more stress, increasing the risk of collisions.
Here’s how:
Long Work Hours
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers are allowed a period of 14 consecutive hours in which they drive up to 11 hours after being off duty for ten or more consecutive hours. But due to the shortage of drivers, the existing truck drivers are expected to work longer hours. To deliver cargo before the deadline, truckers are compromising on their rest and sleep. As they sit behind the vehicle without taking any rest breaks in between, they eventually get exhausted and fatigued. Thus they are more likely to lose their vehicle’s control, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Although drivers are expected to comply with the FMCSA, the trucking companies are willing to bend the rules as they urge the drivers to work longer.
Aging Drivers
The average age of truck drivers currently is about 49, but the driver shortage is leading some trucking companies to hire older drivers, including retirees in their seventies and eighties. Aging may affect a driver’s cognitive functioning, vision, hearing, and reaction time. Expecting aging drivers to work for countless hours is dangerous not just for them but for others sharing the road with them.
Reckless Driving
Driving heavy-duty trucks requires control over speed, momentum, and the vehicle. A speeding semi-truck weighing 80,000 pounds takes about 525 feet before it can stop after the driver perceives danger and recognizes that they need to hit the brakes. However, to meet deadlines and deliver the freight on time, drivers end up engaging in reckless driving practices and accidents, therefore, are inevitable.
Overloaded Cargo Trucks
Another way trucking companies are compensating for the shortage of drivers, which has put the current truckers under stress, is that drivers are now required to quickly haul larger cargos from destination A to B. In other words, trucking companies overload trucks to deliver shipments on time. They fail to realize that overloaded trucks are harder to maneuver, especially for truckers who lack experience in driving semi-trailers and 18 wheelers.
In addition to this, overloaded trucks are more likely to experience equipment failures, such as brake failure and tire blowouts. All these factors combined put the driver at risk of accidents.
Alarming Truck Accident Statistics
All the factors discussed above have led to the rise in trucking accidents in and across the US. Here are some alarming truck accident statistics worth knowing. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- In 2018 approximately 4,678 people lost their precious lives in accidents with large trucks. This figure is up by 1% from the figure recorded in 2017, which was 4,369 fatalities
- Deaths involving semi-trailers increased for the 4th consecutive year
- Pedestrians that died in truck accidents rose by 13%
- Among the deaths in truck accidents in 2018, 16% were truck occupants, 67 percent were car occupants, and 15% pedestrians
After a crash with a large truck, the chances of survival are minimal. If you happen to survive, you’re likely to be severely injured because of the size and force of the heavy truck hitting a passenger car. Common truck accident injuries include head injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, fractures, and traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can sometimes even cause lasting as well as permanent body damage.
File a Personal Injury Claim in Case of a Truck Accident in South or North Carolina
If you have been severely injured or lost a loved one wrongfully in a truck accident in South or North Carolina due to the truck driver’s negligence, then by law you have the right to file a personal injury claim and pursue compensation for injuries and losses incurred. Financial compensation is essential for coping with the costly medical treatment and rehabilitation after being injured in a truck accident.
For help fighting for fair and full compensation, contact our experienced personal injury attorney today. At the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor P.C., we will review your case and suggest legal options for your situation, providing you with quality representation.
Our lawyers will carry out an in-depth investigation to collect all crucial pieces of evidence from the accident scene, such as truck driver logbooks, black box, GPS, and other details. This will help us answer all the crucial questions about how the accident occurred, who caused it, and why. Answers to these questions will help us establish a strong liability case against the truck driver, truck manufacturer, or trucking company – whoever is responsible. We’ll work on your case relentlessly and negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement.
And, if you disagree with the settlement offered by the insurer, we can take the case to court for trial. At the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor P.C., we fight for our clients to be fully compensated.
