On Tuesday, there was a truck crash on the Smokey Park Highway in Buncombe County. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, the incident happened near I-40. Very few details about this semi truck crash have been released, but we do know that all northbound lanes were closed as crews and first responders worked the scene. For currently unknown reasons, a tractor-trailer went over a guardrail. Thankfully, no injuries were reported on the scene. There has been no word on the cause of the truck crash, which is likely still under investigation with local law enforcement authorities.
Large Truck Crashes by The Numbers
In 2015, there were 4,067 people killed in crashes involving large trucks.
An additional 116,000 people were injured in large truck crashes that year.
An estimated 433,000 large trucks were involved in police-reported crashes in 2015.
In 2014, there were 3,908 people killed in crashes involving large trucks.
Between 2014 and 2015, there was a four-percent increase in truck crash fatalities.
In 2015, 74 percent of people killed in crashes involving large trucks were occupants in other vehicles.
Commercial Trucking Safety Regulations
Since they’re so large and heavy, commercial trucking vehicles have additional rules and regulations to follow for safe roadway operation. This means that truck crash investigations can take much longer than crash investigations involving only private passenger vehicles. Thorough investigations are critical for determining exactly how crashes happened and if they could have been prevented. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently accepting requests to review eligible crashes for their upcoming Crash Preventability Demonstration Program.
Truck Accident Lawyer in Asheville
Accidents involving semi trucks and tractor-trailers are often devastating or catastrophic for occupants in other vehicles. Since commercial trucking vehicles are so large and heavy, they can inflict a considerable amount of damage to smaller passenger occupant vehicles, even at relatively low speeds. After any type of accident involving a commercial truck, it’s important to speak with a personal injury attorney who has proven truck accident case experience as soon as possible.
If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in an accident involving a semi truck, tractor-trailer or any kind of commercial trucking vehicle in or around the Asheville area, contact the skilled and proven Personal Injury team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 828-279-7799 for a free case consultation today.