Trucking Deaths at a Six-Year High

Trucking industry fatalities reached a six-year high in 2014, making up about two thirds of all fatalities in the workplace. More fatal accidents occur in the trucking industry than in any other civilian field in the United States.

Transportation-related workplace injuries rose as well, totaling 40 percent of fatal injuries in all occupational categories, with 57 percent occurring on the roads. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported these findings in the 2014 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. These numbers are still preliminary and may rise when updated data is received.

Fatal Injuries in Transportation and Materials Moving Occupations

Truck driving accident deaths are seven times higher than the national average of fatal workplace injuries associated with other occupations. Industries associated with transportation and moving materials encompass 28 percent of all fatal workplace injuries in the United States, with a total of 1,289 fatal injuries occurring in 2014. This is the highest number of fatal injuries within these occupational groups since 2008.

Almost two out of three fatal workplace injuries in the transportation and materials moving occupations involve a truck driver or sales worker, totaling 835 out of the 1,289 fatal workplace injuries that occurred during 2014.

Deaths among drivers and sales workers rose 74 percent, totaling 54. 725 fatalities occurred among tractor-trailer and heavy truck drivers, which is the highest fatality count since 2008 in this group.

The contracted heavy truck and tractor-trailer driver occupational group experienced more fatal workplace injuries than any other contracted worker occupational group outside of the construction and extraction fields, with a total of 76 deaths in 2014.

As the frequency of truck accidents increases, so too do the injuries to other motorists on the road. If you are injured in a truck accident, contact a Ft. Worth, TX personal injury lawyer from the law offices of Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, LLP today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.

Call (817) 920-9000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation today.