1. About 500,000 trucking accidents occur every year in the United States.
2. In 2009, 3,200 fatalities resulted from semi truck accidents. In 2010 approximately 5,000 trucking accidents resulted in fatalities; a dramatic and tragic 56% increase in only one year.
3. Of the fatalities involving semi truck accidents, about 85% percent of the time the death was the occupant of the other vehicle, a pedestrian, or a bicyclist.
4. About 68% of all fatal semi truck accidents happened in rural areas as opposed to cities.
5. Upwards of 66% of all fatal semi truck accidents occurred in the day time, as opposed to night.
6. Weekends accounted for 68% of the total fatal semi truck accidents.
7. From 2010 to 2012, an increase of 20% was expected in the number of semi trucks entering the roadways.
8. Semi trucks accidents are twice as likely to have a fatality as accidents involving only cars.
9. In a 2005 study, 65% of truck drivers reported sometimes or often feeling drowsy while driving.
10. In that same 2005 study, 48% of truck drivers admitted to falling asleep in the previous year while driving.
11. Trucking revenues totaled $610 billion in one recent year and revenues are estimated to nearly double by 2015.While commercial trucking growth is good news for the trucking companies and the economy it is bad news for the cars, vans and SUVs that share the road with these potentially lethal giants.
To get more information after you or a family member has been hurt in an accident in Edwardsville, Illinois, fill out the form on this website and get your FREE "Illinois Guide Book to Auto Accidents and Injuries" and the "Illinois Guide Book to Semi Truck Accidents." Or better yet, for more direct answers call the Giacoletto Law Firm at 618-346-8841 or toll free at 888-346-8841 to speak today with an experienced Madison or St. Clair County accident attorney centrally located in Collinsville.