Tennessee Trucking Fatalities on Pace to Top 2019

Tennessee Truck Accident DeathThe trucking industry is one of the most vital to the health of the economy in Tennessee and the rest of the country. The more tractor-trailers you see on the road, the better the economy is performing. However, these large trucks pose many dangers to motorists in cars, vans, motorcycles, and pickup trucks.

Tractor-trailers are involved in thousands of accidents every year, leading to more than 4,700 deaths across the country. Trucks are unable to stop as quickly as motor vehicles and can cause significant damage upon impact. As of June 30, 2020, Tennessee trucking accident fatalities were on pace to top the numbers from 2019.

Truck crash data from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2020, is available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The data is as follows:

  • 1,991 vehicles involved
  • 1,839 total crashes
  • 86 deaths
  • 822 injuries

According to data from the FMCSA, Tennessee truck accident statistics for 2019 were as follows:

  • 4,176 vehicles involved
  • 3,909 total crashes
  • 159 deaths
  • 1,919 injuries

With 86 fatalities as of June 30, 2020, the final numbers for the year will likely be higher than 2019. The number of injuries for 2020 is on pace to be lower than 2019.

Why are tractor-trailers so dangerous?

It can be nerve-wracking driving next to or in front of a tractor-trailer. They’re big. They’re heavy. Sometimes their cargo falls off the top. When you’re in front of a big rig or next to one, there’s always a chance that the driver won’t see you, and you could be crushed. Some of the other things that can make a tractor-trailer dangerous include:

  • Inexperienced drivers
  • Failing parts
  • Road conditions
  • Inclement weather
  • Drowsy or distracted drivers

Truck drivers are required to follow guidelines set forth by the FMCSA that regulate how long they can drive. Truck drivers are permitted to drive 11 hours after taking a 10-hour break. Drivers must also take a break of 30 minutes when they have driven for eight consecutive hours without a 30-minute break. When truck drivers fail to follow these regulations, they put themselves and all other drivers around them in danger. It is easier to make mistakes, struggle with depth perception, and harder to stay awake when driving drowsy.

Were you or a loved one injured in a truck accident in Tennessee? Did you lose a loved one in a fatal truck accident in Nashville? You have the right to receive compensation for your injuries or for the death of a loved one in an accident. Call Rocky McElhaney Law Firm at 615-425-2500 or complete a contact form to schedule a consultation. We have offices in Nashville, Hendersonville, Knoxville, and Clarksville to better serve our clients.

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