Most West Virginians exercise caution when driving, especially if they are traveling near large trucks. Statistics support the need for this caution. Over the last few years, there has been an uptick in the number of accidents involving ready-mix concrete trucks and dump trucks.
Industry safety experts as well as federal agencies have worked together to minimize the number of accidents. Over the years, they have put forth initiatives designed to minimize driver fatigue. In addition, regulators have employed technology designed to provide a clearer picture of what happens with the drivers on the road. The insurance industry has also increased fleet vehicle insurance premiums. All of this has been done with the goal of curbing dangerous or poor driver habits. However, the expected response has not taken place.
The most recent statistics available for dump truck accidents are those from the year 2016. During that year, the number of dump truck crashes that resulted in a vehicle being towed away had a 9 percent increase. This calculates to 8,206 such accidents during in 2016. During that same year, there was a 2.7 percent increase in overall dump truck accidents involving injuries. This calculated to 5,483 accidents that year.
There was also an increase in ready-mix concrete truck accidents that led to fatalities. In 2015, there were only 33. In 2016, that number rose to 38. A positive statistic was the slight decrease seen in fatal accidents involving dump truck crashes. In 2015, there were 369 accidents compared to 367 in 2016. However, at the same time, there was an overall increase in serious dump truck crashes during that year.
When there is a collision between a passenger vehicle and a dump truck or a cement truck, the results can be disastrous. If a person is a victim of such accidents, they may wish to hire a personal injury attorney. Legal counsel could help a client gather information from investigations performed by law enforcement and other agencies. They may represent the victim before insurance companies or in court if the situation calls for it.