In large truck accident cases, the majority of deaths come from passenger vehicle occupants. That being said, a large percentage of fatalities come from pedestrians. In 2019, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there was a total of 454 pedestrian deaths due to large truck accidents. From 2009 to 2019, the number of pedestrian fatalities involving large trucks has steadily increased from 261 to 454. When comparing data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), we can see that pedestrian fatalities make up over 11% of the total 4,119 people who have died due to large trucking accidents in 2019.
Unfortunately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported a 79% increase in injuries involving large trucks and pedestrians since 2016. We have seen a range of injuries across various cases, including bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and unfortunately more. This can leave the victim with life-altering disabilities and ongoing medical bills for decades. Being involved in a truck collision can be intense, painful, and scary, and if you find yourself in the hospital, the trucking companies will do anything and everything to put the blame on you. That’s why it’s important to work with a pedestrian accident lawyer.
Unfortunately, there are a variety of unsafe practices that can and have led to trucking accidents with pedestrians in the United States, including:
- Sleep-deprived truck drivers – Operating a motor vehicle while fatigued or sleepy is commonly referred to as “drowsy driving” according to the CDC.
- Truck drivers driving under the influence – Operating or being in actual physical control of a vehicle, and being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Overloaded or mishandled cargo – When trucks are overloaded it places undue strain on the axles and mechanical components of the truck, making it more difficult to control.
- Rear-end accidents – Common factors contributing to rear-end collisions include truck driver inattention or distraction, tailgating, panic stops, and reduced traction due to wet weather or worn pavement.
- Accidents at intersections – More than 50 percent of the combined total of fatal and injury crashes occur at or near intersections according to the United States Department of Transportation.
- Left-hand-turn collisions – 61% percent of crashes that occur while turning or crossing an intersection involve a left turn, as opposed to just over 3% percent that involves a right turn according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA).
- Head-on collisions – A traffic collision where the front ends of two vehicles such as trucks hit each other when traveling in opposite directions.
- Jackknifes – Refers to the folding of an articulated vehicle so that it resembles the acute angle of a folding pocket knife.
- Trucking rollovers – Driver error is responsible for over 3/4 of all rollovers.
- Driving too fast for poor road conditions – Defined as traveling at a speed that is greater than a reasonable standard for safe driving.
- Poor maintenance on the vehicle – Auto maintenance issues are a major reason that accidents occur.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings or wages, pain, and suffering, disability, or disfigurement. You can get that by hiring a good Chicago pedestrian accident lawyer. Trucking and auto companies do not have your best interests in mind, which is why it’s so important to start the claims process as quickly and early as possible. As each case is different and subject to a specific time limit (or statute of limitations), it is important to consult with a reputable and experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
For more information visit www.burneslibman.com/chicago-pedestrian-accident-lawyer
