Surprising Tennessee Truck Accident Statistics

By Gilreath & Associates

Car crashes are responsible for one of the highest fatalities in America. Whether commuting from home to work or on the job, the risk of driving is increasing every year.

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, 3,287 fatal car crashes occur every day. This adds up to 1.25 million deaths per year, and that’s just on average.

While smaller transportation vehicles make up the majority of collisions, large trucks aren’t entirely faultless either. In fact, truck accidents are surprisingly common in the Volunteer State.

Nationwide truck accident statistics

According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,889 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes in 2017, an almost 10 percent increase from 2016. These aren’t the most welcoming numbers, but they can provide valuable insight and trends to prevent future crashes and fatalities.

Each year, the number of accidents increases, most often involving smaller passenger vehicles. Of the accidents involving large trucks and other vehicles, 82 percent of the fatalities were the occupants of the smaller vehicles.

Tennessee truck accident data

Rising to the top of the list of worst drivers in the country is Tennessee, which was ranked fourth in 2017 and second the following year.

When it comes to trucks specifically, Tennessee is number 11 for combination truck accidents and 14 for single-unit truck accidents.

Most common types of truck accidents

It’s a universally known fact that 18-wheel trucks need to be respected and given wide berths, whether they’re driving on the highway, the interstate or the backroads. These roadway giants can weigh 80,000 lbs. at maximum capacity, and even a single-vehicle accident can cause severe damage.

Rollovers, unsecured loads, jackknives, underrides, tire blowouts and wide turns are the most common types of truck accidents. A “jackknife” is when the axle brakes lock up and cause the truck to skid. This often results in a rollover, often resulting in catastrophic injuries.

Weather conditions make a big difference

Rain and even shine can affect the way we drive our vehicles. For semi-trucks, hazards such as fog, heavy rains, snow and high-speed winds put them at an even greater risk of being involved in an accident.

On October 26, 2019, 7 semi-trucks overturned on I-40 in Decatur County and Henderson County simply due to straight-line winds.

If you or a loved one are the victims of a semi-truck accident, you want the lawyer with a success record in over 12 states in the Southeast to help you navigate your legal options. Your well-being is our number one priority at Gilreath & Associates. With three locations in Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis, we’re committed to giving you the best legal service possible.

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