The Rise of Semi-Truck Accidents: Are Our Roads Getting More

Semi-truck accidents are on the rise, with a 49% increase in the occurrence of these crashes in the last decade. These accidents often yield serious, life-altering injuries, and contribute to thousands of fatalities annually. The increasing prevalence of these accidents, combined with the drastic consequences of a semi-truck crash, are a cause for concern on America’s roadways. Over time, these accidents are making our roadways more dangerous for the average traveler. 

Truck Accident Statistics

Statistics reveal a troubling trend building on our nation’s roadways. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the number of accidents involving large trucks is steadily increasing. In 2022, there were approximately 161,000 crashes involving large trucks, yielding 5,936 deaths in the same year. These figures represent a significant rise from previous years and highlight the growing safety concerns on our highways.

What Are Top Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents?

Semi-truck accidents can occur under a variety of circumstances. The cause of a truck accident can help determine who is liable for resulting injuries, damages, and fatalities. Although contributing factors can vary, common causes of truck accidents include: 

Driver fatigue is a top contributor to trucking accidents across the nation. Truck drivers spend long hours on the road, often with insufficient rest. Fatigued driving, similar to intoxicated driving, can reduce reaction times in drivers and decrease overall alertness. While regulations regarding hours of service are in place to prevent fatigued truckers by limiting daily driving time, drivers and the companies that employ them may violate these regulations to meet deadlines at the expense of safety. 

Distracted driving is another substantial contributing factor to trucking accidents. Actions such as using a cell phone, adjusting the radio or a navigation system, interacting with a driving partner, and eating or drinking can take a driver’s attention away from the wheel, causing a crash. 

Highway hypnosis occurs after prolonged driving. When drivers are on the road for hours at a time, they can begin to disassociate, losing visual and cognitive focus. Affecting drivers similarly to distracted and fatigued driving, highway hypnosis causes delayed reaction times, poor focus, and other unsafe driving behaviors. 

Tailgating, speeding, unsafe lane changes, erratic driving, swerving, and failing to yield commonly cause accidents. These behaviors make it difficult for other drivers on the road to navigate around large trucks. The unpredictability of these actions can cause the movement of traffic to become asynchronous, resulting in a crash. 

Intoxicated driving reduces reaction times and impairs judgement. Driver intoxication can occur due to the voluntary intake of recreational substances, or as a result of prescription medications. 

Trucking companies have a responsibility to ensure that the drivers they employ are properly licensed and trained. When they fail to do so, their negligence can place unprepared drivers behind the wheel of these large-scale vehicles. 

When a truck accident occurs, the victims involved often sustain life-altering or fatal injuries. With trucking accidents on the rise, these crashes present a public safety risk. While the increasing number of trucks on the road and the pressures on drivers contribute to the problem, advancements in technology, improved infrastructure, and robust regulatory measures offer solutions.