If you were recently involved in a large truck collision, it is important to go over the ins and outs of the accident. Moreover, if you lost a loved one due to a negligent truck driver’s behavior, develop a clear understanding of your legal options and make sure the trucker answers for their actions.
Sadly, fatal truck accidents, as well as crashes that result in serious injuries, continue to occur far too often.
Are fatal truck accidents involving alcohol increasing?
Statistics published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal a concerning trend with respect to large truck crashes and alcohol impairment. According to the NHTSA, 54 large truck drivers involved in fatal accidents during 2009 were over the legal limit at the time of the crash. In 2018, however, 146 large truck drivers involved in deadly accidents were over the legal limit. Moreover, the number of fatal truck crashes also increased from 2009 to 2018. In 2009, there were 3,182 deadly large truck accidents, compared to 4,786 in 2018, based on NHTSA data.
Are alcohol-impaired truck drivers especially dangerous?
When it comes to driving, large truck drivers have to follow strict guidelines with respect to alcohol use before, during and after taking to the road. However, some get behind the wheel even though they are over the legal limit and this is especially dangerous for multiple reasons. First, many truckers struggle with other hurdles that affect their driving abilities, such as fatigue due to excessive work. Moreover, large trucks are especially difficult to operate when one is under the influence of alcohol.
