Drowsy driving, heavy loads, poorly maintained equipment, and speeding truck drivers create a potentially deadly combination. A study completed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that increasing speed limits across the country cost almost 37,000 lives. If higher speeds lead to catastrophic injuries and death, at what speeds do moderate risks usually occur?
Trucking Accident Statistics
Truck drivers are often in a hurry to get to their destination, make deliveries, or get back home after a long haul. Not only have increasing speed limits contributed to a higher prevalence of catastrophic injuries and fatal accidents, but even with the higher speed limits, some drivers will inevitably speed. Is speeding a major problem in accidents involving truck drivers?
In a study spanning 33 months and an estimated 141,000 accidents involving large trucks, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 87% of the collisions were caused by the truck driver. Of that 87%, the biggest contributing factor was driver decision, which accounted for 38% of the accidents. The decision is described in the study as being one of the following:
- The driver was speeding or going too fast for the conditions
- The driver misjudged another vehicle’s speed
- The driver followed too closely to another vehicle
Georgia Truck Accident Statistics
In 2021, 76% of fatalities and serious injuries involving trucks were drivers and passengers in other vehicles, while only 16% were the truck drivers themselves. That same year, 244 people were killed in large truck accidents in Georgia. At 86%, large truck accidents in Georgia almost always involve other vehicles.
Vehicle Safety and Speed Limits
There is some consensus that moderate risks for injury in a car accident tend to occur at a maximum of 50 miles per hour. However, some experts suggest that 40 miles per hour is the optimal speed. In fact, approximately 20 years of IIHS testing has consistently found that 100% of new vehicles have a good safety rating at a 40 mph impact.
Despite the varying suggestions for the ideal speed limit, one thing is certain: higher speeds lead to more severe crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states the following injury measures:
- The risk of serious injury or death is 15% at speeds of 40 mph
- The risk increases to 59% when traveling at 50 mph
- At speeds of 55.9 mph, the risk for serious injury or death jumps to 78%
Speed is directly tied to roadway safety. This is especially true for truck drivers. Their size, weight, and precarious loads make it difficult to stop, which means slower speeds are safer.
Truck Accident Attorney in Atlanta, GA
If you’ve been injured in an accident with a large truck, you may be facing extensive recovery times and treatment plans. Flanagan Law is here to help you navigate the legal aspect of the accident aftermath to ensure your focus is on emotional healing and physical recovery.
When you’re ready to discuss your case and learn more about what we offer our clients, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
