Kreisman Law Offices Professional Corporation
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has published recent data showing that the number of large trucks (those weighing more than 10,000 lbs.) involved in deadly crashes has risen. In 2011, 3,608 trucks were involved in fatal crashes. The 2011 numbers are an increase of 3 percent from 2010 and a 12 percent increase from 2009.
In the United States, 3,757 individuals died in large truck crashes in 2011. More than 80,000 were injured in truck-related crashes.
Even though the numbers are rising, truck drivers or professional drivers abide by the traffic and highway laws in most cases. More than 83 percent of truck drivers compared to 65 percent of drivers of other passenger vehicles use their seat belts. Truck drivers are much less likely to be drinking alcohol when driving than other motorists.
The FMCSA also reported that most of these crashes with trucks resulting in death occurred during daylight hours. Tractors pulling semi-trailers accounted for 61 percent of the large truck crashes resulting in deaths.
According to the report, fatal crashes involving large trucks could be connected to speed followed by inattention or choosing not to stay in the proper lane.
In addition, there were 174 large trucks involved in crashes in work zones, ending with a death.
For all other drivers, being mindful of large trucks on the highways and driving defensively can save lives.
Kreisman Law Offices has been handling large truck crashes and automobile accidents for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 37 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Cicero, Round Lake Beach, Chicago (Rogers Park, Lincoln Square, Edgebrook), Lansing, Rosemont, Mount Prospect and Prospect Heights, Ill.
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