Facts about trucking and safety: part one

On behalf of Aiken and Aiken P.C. Personal Injury Attorneys posted in Car Accidents, on Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Many people feel uneasy driving in proximity of large trucks on the highway. You may find yourself gripping the wheel a bit tighter than usual as one passes you, feeling concerned about its size and speed or wondering how secure its cargo truly is. This is completely normal as trucks are a force unto themselves on American roadways – and a force that comes with its own risks. To better understand the behavior of trucks on the road it may be helpful to have some insight into the people – and industrial forces – that drive them. In our next two posts we’ll take a look at some facts about the trucking industry and explore how they may affect you as a motorist, particularly if you find yourself involved in an accident with one of these behemoths. According to the American Trucking Association, 67 percent of all domestically-moved freight in the United States travels by truck. For-hire tonnage on trucks increased 9.1 percent between November 2012 and January 2013, showing that the role of trucks is constantly growing in the freight industry. About $10.5 billion worth of goods was transported by trucks in 2010. Experts forecast that by 2040 trucks will move about 18.5 billion tons of goods worth $21.7 billion. In our next post we’ll discuss some issues and trends surrounding trucking safety in the United States. We’ll also explore some of the unique challenges facing those who may have been injured in a collision with a tractor trailer, including difficulties regarding evidence, multiple parties and the increased danger associated with large trucks. Source: Insurance Journal, “10 Things to Know About the Trucking Industry,” May 13, 2013