Virginia Tractor-Trailer Crashes Decline in 2012 | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles reported that the number of Virginia tractor-trailer accidents is down in 2012, continuing a trend that began two years ago. The department released data that showed 181 serious Virginia commercial truck accidents took place across the state last year, as compared to 199 in 2011. 

The number of VA truck crashes peaked in 2010, when 248 big-rig accidents were reported. In 2009, 231 truck crashes were reported. In 2008, 225 truck crashes were reported.  

In 2011, 92 people were killed in Virginia commercial truck crashes. About 12 percent of all fatal Virginia traffic accidents involved a tractor-trailer or commercial truck. Altogether, there were about 4,300 traffic accidents in total in the region. 

Why are VA tractor-trailer accidents on the decline? Safety experts say that the two-year downward trend is likely due to a number of factors: better public awareness of truck accident prevention, new federal regulations for commercial trucks, and more safety features on trucks and passenger cars in general. It is not clear whether there are more commercial trucks on Virginia highways and interstates or whether there are fewer. 

Of course, although officials are please that the number of truck accidents has steadily declined in recent years, they still wish to prevent even more accidents in 2013. They hope to do so through educational programs and campaigns, enforcing trucking regulations, and holding trucking companies responsible for accidents that are due to their negligence. In addition, officials stated that we must continue to crack down on common truck accident causes, including fatigued drivers, reckless drivers, and drivers operating vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

We are glad to see the decline continue, but accidents still do happen. If you were injured in an accident with a tractor-trailer, contact us today.