Each year the U.S. Department of Transportation publishes a recap of the nation's deadly motor vehicle accidents. Called the Fatality Analysis Reporting System - or FARS - it reviews and categorizes numerous aspects of fatal truck accidents and fatal car accidents. The 2013 FARS recently went public and here is a recap of its major findings.
There were almost 33,000 people killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2013. Approximately 45,000 big rigs and passenger cars were involved.
Of all those killed in motor vehicle crashes, 65 percent were occupants in passenger vehicles. Only 2 percent who died were occupants of large trucks. That statistic alone is telling as to the too-often tragic consequences of fatal crashes involving tractor trailers.
Fourteen Percent of Deaths were Pedestrians
Digging deeper, the 2013 FARS shows that 13 percent of all fatalities were motorcyclists, while pedestrians killed in motor vehicle accidents accounted for 14 percent of all deaths. A new, related report from the Governors Highway Safety Association calculates that, once all reporting is finalized, pedestrian deaths in truck and car crashes in 2014 will be about equal to 2013. It estimates that 2,125 pedestrians were killed in the first half of 2014, which is about the same number as for the same period in 2013.
Speeding a Major Factor in Fatal Crashes
Speeding was found to be a contributing factor in 29 percent of all deadly car and truck crashes in 2013. The term includes driving too fast for road and weather conditions, as well as faster than posted speed limits. Going back 10 years, speeding has remained a contributor in about 30 percent of all annual motor vehicle accident deaths.
As the numbers indicate, thousands of people die in catastrophic truck accidents and car crashes each year. Often times through no fault of their own. If you had a family member killed or severely injured in a crash caused by a truck driver or another operator, you may want to consult with an attorney who handles fatal motor vehicle accident cases to pursue your legal rights to just compensation.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertising.
RSS Feed