Last week, a tanker truck crashed near Waynesville. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, the incident happened on Highway 23/74 at about noon on Friday. Very little information has been released about this tanker truck crash, but we do know that first responders rushed to the scene. For currently unknown reasons, the tanker truck jackknifed and went off of the roadway. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported on the scene, and the tanker was empty at the time of the wreck. No information has been released on the cause of this truck wreck, and the crash could still be under investigation with local law enforcement officials.
U.S. Truck Crash Statistics
- There were 4,761 people killed in crashes involving large trucks in 2017.
- In 2017, 72 percent of all people killed in crashes involving large trucks were occupants in other vehicles.
- 78 percent of fatal crashes involving large trucks happened on weekdays in 2017.
- In 2017, three percent of the large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 g/dL or higher.
Commercial Trucking Safety
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the agency tasked with regulating the commercial trucking industry. Since tractor-trailers and semi-trucks are so much larger and heavier than traditional passenger occupant vehicles, truckers and trucking companies have additional rules and regulations to follow. Issues like tire maintenance, hours of service and cargo securement are all taken into account. With so many additional regulations, crash investigations involving large trucks can be lengthy.
Truck Accidents in Asheville
Accidents involving large commercial trucking vehicles can be devastating for occupants in smaller passenger occupant cars and light trucks. Truck accidents can leave victims in the hospital, or worse. After any type of accident involving a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, it’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer who has proven truck accident case experience about your claim. You may be entitled to compensation to cover medical bills and other expenses associated with your injuries.
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Asheville or in any of the surrounding Western North Carolina communities, contact the skilled and proven Personal Injury team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 828-303-2842 for a free case consultation today.