On the road, you need to watch out for careless, drowsy or distracted truck drivers. In comparison to other vehicles, large trucks are especially dangerous due to their size and the additional time it takes for drivers to bring the trucks to a stop. Unfortunately, some truck drivers use alcohol before they get behind the wheel, or while they are on the road, which significantly increases the chances of a collision.
Large truck crashes often cause devastating injuries and in some instances, victims lose their lives. Sadly, too many of these accidents continue to occur and truck drivers (as well as trucking companies) that fail to respect laws related to traffic safety.
Statistics on drunk driving accidents involving large trucks
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2018, more than 4,780 fatal large truck accidents occurred and 146 involved truck truckers whose blood alcohol content level was over the legal limit. This accounted for 3% of all fatal drunk driving crashes in 2018, a 1% increase in comparison to 2009. In 2009, 54 large truck drivers over the legal limit found themselves in fatal accidents.
Drunk truck drivers and serious injuries
In addition to fatal drunk driving crashes involving large trucks, many of these collisions also result in debilitating injuries. Whether you have to miss work because of your injuries for months or the rest of your life, struggle with a lack of mobility, endure intense pain, face financial problems or suffer from an emotional point of view, significant injuries resulting from a truck accident can disrupt life in many ways.