There is no question that a roadway collision with a big-rig truck produces terrible results. The aftermath is not promising for any driver. Consider what happened when a car collided with a gasoline tanker in Akron along State Route 8 on Aug. 25.
The crash killed an 18-year-old college student whose vehicle struck the tanker truck, producing a massive fire with plumes of smoke. It also led to the evacuation of 250 homes and businesses within a half-mile radius of the crash and shut down the highway for several hours. This was a worst-case scenario. Severe injuries also are likely in accidents involving cars and big-rig trucks.
Accounted for 11% of Ohio’s fatal crashes
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provided 2018 statistics related to big-rig truck accidents. Here are some of them:
- In 2018, Ohio reported 176 fatal accidents that involved big trucks. Truck accidents in the state accounted for 11.2% of all fatal crashes, a little higher than the 9.4% U.S. average.
- The U.S. reported 4,951 fatalities related to large truck crashes, and Ohio recorded 182 of those deaths.
- Of the fatalities reported in 2018, an estimated 71% of the victims occupied other vehicles, while 18% were occupants of the large trucks. The remaining 11 percent of the victims were non-occupants such as pedestrians and bicyclists.
- An estimated 151,000 people were injured in 2018 in crashes involving trucks.
Injuries often lead to lengthy recoveries for victims who face exorbitant medical bills along with the temporary or permanent inability to work. These injuries can be catastrophic, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, back injuries, amputation, fractures, burns and internal injuries.
It is crucial to be a defensive driver. However, if you are injured in an accident involving a large truck the odds are not in your favor of coming out unscathed. Be cautious, be careful and stay alert.
