When a motor vehicle accident occurs involving a large truck or tractor-trailer, these professional drivers often receive the lion’s share of the blame from the public. Certain individuals may feel their expectations betrayed when they realize that a career driver is also capable of having an accident on the road.
The stigma against truck drivers in traffic accidents could be born from the reality that tractor-trailer accidents cause severe damage. However, statistics can show that truck drivers are not involved in as many accidents as some people might believe.
Statistics
Crash statistics from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles revealed that 2,356 crashes in the state involved large trucks in 2020. This accounts for only 2.2% of the 105,600 total crashes on record for that year. Furthermore, the number of large truck occupants injured in a crash in 2020 made up only 0.6% of all traffic injuries for the year.
Causes of large truck accidents
While crashes involving tractor-trailers account for only a small percentage of accidents overall, they still present a real danger. Drivers filing a claim following an accident involving a large truck can benefit from knowing these common causes of truck accidents:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Excessive speed
- Lack of experience
- Disobeying traffic rules
- Poor judgment
- Drowsiness
Accidents involving big rigs and tractor-trailers are relatively rare in Virginia, but they can be devastating when they do occur. Drivers who experience a traffic accident involving a large truck can contact a personal injury lawyer to help understand the complexities of filing a claim and receiving relevant compensation.
