Accidents involving large trucks in Illinois often are quite serious. The size and weight of these vehicles increase the chances for critical injuries, death and property damage. When a truck causes an accident, it becomes something that requires study. Even if the truck is merely involved in the accident and did not cause it, this still requires looking into because finding why truck accidents occur can help to prevent them in the future.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration tracks information about truck accidents and provides it to you. Learning more about such accidents can help you to be safer around trucks on the road and learn what you could do to avoid getting into an accident with one.
The FMCSA reports on findings from 2015 and includes trucks and buses in the figures. Between 2014 and 2015, the number of accidents increased by eight percent for fatal crashes, but injury accidents decreased by two percent. Overall, the decline that was seen in such accidents since 2005 ended in 2014 and the increase continued in 2015.
It is important to note that the number of truck accidents was at its highest in 2005 at 5,231. In 2015, the number was at 4,311. So, it was not the worst year on record, but the lowest recent number was in 2009 at 3,432, so it is rebounding and heading in the wrong direction.
In general, safe driving practices and adhering to laws regarding driver’s and general road laws can keep everyone safer on the roads. You should learn how to safely drive around large trucks so you do not become a part of these statistics. This informaiton is for education only and not legal advice.