As interest rates continue to rise with inflation, people are constantly looking for the best deals with their limited dollars, and shopping online is where the best deals are to be found. This means that the need for trailers and delivery trucks is also increasing to meet the demand.
These trucks are what keep America’s supply chain running smoothly, and year after year, more trucks are needed to help keep the shelves stocked at your local grocery store. The constant increase in demand for trucks also means more accidents on the road. But how many accidents are caused by trailers? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), the number of truck accidents per year involving fatalities is 5,601, a number that continues to rise with an increase of 13% from 2020 to 2021.
With more than 15 fatal heavy truck accidents occurring every day in the United States, there is a good chance that you or a loved one could be seriously affected by the decisions of a driver who was not paying attention or was not properly trained. or driving a truck that was not safe for the road. Regardless of how the accident occurs, it is important to call a qualified attorney, such as Abogados Contigo, to help you get the justice you deserve.
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How Common are Trailer Accidents?
Considering that a typical trailer can weigh in excess of 10,000 pounds or more, any accident involving a semi-trailer is likely to cause serious injury or even death. In total, the NHTSA says that approximately 538,000 large trucks were involved in police-reported traffic accidents across the country in 2019 alone.
When you look at California traffic statistics, the numbers are no less staggering. The Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) reported a total of 147,292 traffic crashes in 2020. According to NHTSA, in 2019, California had the second-highest total number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes at 5,029, which is nearly 8% of all accidents in the United States.
But what are the chances that a delivery man in a UPS truck will hit my car? Fairly good. In 2019, UPS had 121,929 trucks in operation that logged more than 3 billion miles that also caused 2,627 accidents, 948 injuries, and 55 deaths. What should you do if you become another statistic? Whether during the accident or immediately after, you will want to try to gather as much information from the driver as possible to help strengthen your case.
Can I Sue UPS for Negligence?
Anytime you are hit by a driver employed by a delivery company, or any type of business that operates large trucks, it is best to consult with an attorney about your legal options. Liability insurance involving employees, rather than your average everyday driver, is much more complicated than people think. To sue for negligence, you must prove that the truck driver failed to give you what is known as a duty of care. If they breached that duty with actual or proximate causation, such as injuries and damages from an accident, then you can file a driver negligence legal case.
Some examples of negligence involving delivery trucks are:
- Do not apply the parking brake
- Failing to yield when merging back into traffic
- Go back after missing a delivery
- inadequate training
- Increased driver fatigue due to long shifts
- Not completing repairs or safety checks.
How Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Truck?
If you’re surprised by the number of accidents caused by trailers, then you’re not alone. Being hit by a semi-truck is such a common occurrence that a truck accident law firm, like the attorneys at Abogado Contigo, are the experts when it comes to ensuring you get the justice you deserve. With over 50 years of combined experience representing cases in multiple states involving truck accidents. The consultation is free, and you’ll get advice from a law firm with more than $1 billion recovered in more than 25,000 cases. See one of our locations or contact us for a free consultation.