Large trucks may be an important part of commerce in Florida and nationwide, but, unfortunately, crashes between large trucks and standard automobiles are more catastrophic than crashes between smaller vehicles. A large truck can weigh anywhere from 20 to 30 times more than a standard automobile. They are taller than automobiles, meaning an automobile could be forced under the truck in a collision.
A fully loaded semi-truck requires far more distance than a standard automobile to come to a stop, a distance which is only amplified in poor road or weather conditions. Driver fatigue on the part of truckers is also an issue. Not only do federal regulations permit truck drivers to drive for as many as 11 hours in a row, but research shows that many truck drivers do not follow these regulations and drive for even longer periods of time.
All of this means that truck accidents have the potential to be deadly. According to statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2016, almost 4,000 individuals lost their lives in accidents with large trucks.
It is also important to note the locations where these accidents took place and when. In 2016, 32 percent of fatalities in truck accidents occurred on interstates, while 67 percent happened on other major roads. In 2016, 48 percent of fatal truck accidents took place between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
As these statistics show, large truck accidents have the potential to be deadly. Unfortunately, no one is immune from them. People in St. Augustine who have been the victim of a large truck accident may want to explore their options for compensation.
