Truck accidents in West Virginia are never a one-size-fits-all event. There is always some unique factor that sets each incident apart from the rest. However, all these tragic accidents can be traced back to several causes. Statistics can be gleaned from these unfortunate events to help prevent more of them from occurring.
What are the major accident death statistics?
Truck accident statistics can be classed and interpreted in many ways. Most safety experts classify these accidents by the total number of miles that vehicles travel per year. They also include such factors as the total size of the population in the state.
The most crucial statistics that were gathered from observances of accidents in West Virginia include the following:
- The number of fatal crashes last year was set at 249.
- The number of deaths occurring because of these accidents was listed at 267.
- Deaths per 100,000 population reached a total of 14.9.
- Deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled were listed at 1.66.
Commercial truck drivers are most at risk
It should come as no surprise that commercial truck drivers are often the most at risk when it comes to causing and sustaining injuries during accidents. Therefore, it will be up to the drivers of these types of vehicles to do all that they can to help prevent these fatal accidents from taking place.
Statistics gathered by highway safety experts across the state show several common causes of truck accidents. These include impaired or distracted driving, safety violations, and improper cargo handling. Other factors, such as failure to respond in time to safety violations caused by other drivers, also play a part.
Truck drivers are urged to pay close attention to the facts that these newly released statistics point to. Doing so can help focus on serious safety issues that can lead to costly and fatal accidents. Following proper rules of conduct and observing crucial state and Federal laws is the key to staying safe.
