If you've ever driven on Montana's highways in the summertime, you know it's a constant dance - weaving between massive 18-wheelers, campers towing their fifth-wheel, or someone driving a fancy sports car 10-miles over the speed limit. Then there is you just trying to reach your destinations safely. But what happens when something goes wrong? When a large truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the results can be catastrophic.
As Montanans, we pride ourselves on our wide open spaces and the freedom of the open road. Yet, with this comes a responsibility to understand the unique risks posed by larger vehicles.
In such unfortunate events, it's crucial to seek help from our truck accident lawyers in Helena by calling our team at 406-442-7830 or filling out our confidential contact form to navigate the complexities of the legal system and secure the compensation you deserve.
To better understand the risks you’re taking on the road, we dove deep into the statistics and facts surrounding large bus and truck crashes. Whether you're a daily commuter or a road trip enthusiast, this information is crucial for anyone navigating Montana’s highways.
To grasp the scope of this issue, let's start with a high-level view. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has tracked fatal crash data involving large trucks and buses since 1975 through the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Here are some key takeaways:
In 2021, 32 percent of fatal crashes involving large trucks were due to at least one driver-related factor. The most cited factor was speeding. “Distraction/Inattention (Cell Phone, Lost in Thought, Eating, etc.)” was the second most common factor.
In 2021, a staggering 5,904 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes nationwide. That's an 18% spike from the previous year.
On a vehicle miles traveled basis, large truck and bus fatalities jumped from 0.176 per 100 million miles in 2020 to 0.191 in 2021. While still below the peak of 0.205 seen in 2000, it's a troubling uptick.
Fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses plummeted 34% between 2005 and 2009 but climbed back up by 52% from 2010 to 2021. (this is likely due to the prevalence of smartphones which lead to distracted driving crashes.
From 2020 to 2021 alone, fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses surged by 17%.
But it's not just about fatalities. Non-fatal injury crashes paint an equally concerning picture:
According to the General Estimates System (GES) data, large truck and bus injury crashes decreased steadily from a high of 102,000 in 2002 to 60,000 in 2009.
However, from 2009 to 2015, these crashes rebounded by 62% to reach 97,000.
In 2016, NHTSA transitioned to the more efficient Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS). CRSS data shows that large truck and bus injury crashes continued to climb 6%, from 112,000 in 2016 to 119,000 in 2021.
The sharp crash decline during the late 2000s likely reflects the economic downturn and reduced commercial vehicle traffic. However, the subsequent rise as the economy recovers is alarming. It suggests that as more large trucks and buses return to our roads, crash risks are escalating again.
When picturing a bus, you might jump to the bright yellow school bus shuttling kids to class or the sleek intercity coach ferrying travelers to their next adventure. Transit buses navigate city routes and round out the major bus types. Each plays a vital role in our transportation network but also comes with crash risks.
Although we don’t have the same extensive transit systems in Montana as other larger cities across the U.S.,we do have school buses, and between 2010 and 2021, school buses accounted for 37% of all fatal bus crashes, in 2021 alone in this country that 80 school buses were involved in fatal crashes. Each represents a profound tragedy, leaving a ripple effect of grief and hardship for families and communities.
A large truck is defined as any truck with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,001 pounds. Think of the typical semi-truck or big rig cruising down the interstate.
From 2020 to 2021:
The number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes spiked 18% from 4,821 to 5,700. That means nearly 900 more trucks were involved in deadly collisions.
The large truck involvement rate, which accounts for increased vehicle miles traveled, still jumped 8% from 1.62 to 1.74 per 100 million miles traveled by large trucks. So even normalized by exposure, large trucks crashed more frequently with lethal results.
For injury crashes, 11% more large trucks were involved, rising from 105,000 to 117,000 year over year.
Property damage-only crashes saw an incredible 25% surge, from 322,000 large trucks involved in 2020 to 401,000 in 2021.
These increases across the board are a startling wake-up call. As more commercial trucks hit the highways to meet rising consumer demands, it's clear that large truck crash risks are also swelling. Montana relies heavily on trucking to transport goods and drive the economy, but public safety must be the utmost priority.
It's important to remember that behind each of these statistics are real human lives forever altered. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors - when a crash happens, the ripple effects are profound and enduring.
Occupants of passenger vehicles are particularly vulnerable in collisions with much larger trucks or buses. Due to the major size differential, it's physics at play—smaller vehicles simply don't stand much of a chance. While trucks and buses are equipped with more advanced safety features than ever before, and commercial drivers go through rigorous training, a distracted driver who causes a crash has the potential to cause severe injury or death to a driver of a car due to the size difference alone.
For those who survive a harrowing crash with a large truck or bus, the road to recovery is often lengthy and arduous. Extensive medical treatment, time off work, PTSD, and more can upend a survivor's world. When fatalities occur, families are left reeling from the shock, struggling to pick up the pieces amidst immense grief.
At Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, our Helena truck accident attorneys know that you need a supportive and strong legal advocate after a crash. Our attorneys will fight for maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other applicable damages. We know how to go up against large trucking companies and win.
Fill out the confidential contact form on our website and we can contact you, or call us now at 406-442-7830 and get your immediate questions answered.
Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, PLLP is a Helena, MT law firm serving injury victims and their families through the state of Montana. Since 1981, Our team’s lawyers have used the law to enforce the safety rules that protect us all from the carelessness and wrongdoing of others. We work with people who were injured on or off the job and regularly handle cases involving car accidents, truck and motorcycle accidents, workers' compensation and medical malpractice.Over 30 Years Serving Helena, MontanaThe attorneys at Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, PLLP have more than 95 years of combined legal experience successfully helping injured clients recover fair compensation for injuries. Additionally,... View full business profile here: Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, PLLP
