Truck Accident Statistics

According to Statistics Canada, ‘truck driver’ is the most common occupation of Canadian men. More than 250,000 Canadians make their living as truck drivers.

More than 269,000 commercial trucks cross the Manitoba/US border every year, exporting and importing billions of dollars of goods. Eighty percent of goods traded between Manitoba and the U.S. are shipped by truck and, together, the two countries trade over $300 billion worth of goods each year. Approximately every three seconds, a truck crosses the border. Overall, the trucking industry contributes $890 million of Manitoba’s GDP.

Each week, more than 612,000 trucks travel across Canada’s major highways.

The Emerson-Pembina border is the second busiest international border crossing point in Western Canada. Of Canada’s twenty-five largest for-hire trucking employers, five are headquartered in Winnipeg. The number of Manitoba’s for-hire trucking companies increased by 65% from 1990 to 1999, while rail lines continued to suffer.

Interestingly, commercial trucks are involved in just 2.4% of all motor vehicle accidents; tractor trailers in less than 3%. In more than 70% of all accidents involving trucks, the driver was not responsible for the accident. And while trucks are 3 times less likely to be involved in an accident than automobiles, the injuries caused from truck/car accidents are generally far more severe, given the immense weight of most trucks and tractor-trailers as compared to cars. The death toll is also higher.

If a loved one is killed after a collision with a large truck, the surviving family has the right to receive compensation for financial losses, medical expenses, and death and burial expenses. When such a tragedy occurs, an experienced Vancouver wrongful death lawyer can help you seek restitution for the wrong.  Although money can never make up for the loss of a loved one, it can help your family make ends meet in that person’s absence and ensure your children have what they need for their future.

When filing a truck collision claim, the negligent driver is the primary defendant. Depending on the circumstances, the trucking company who owns the vehicle may be liable, as well as any third-party manufacturer of defective vehicle parts that may have contributed to the accident. Trucks are required to operate under specific regulations to accommodate the dangers of the road, including restrictions caused by the vehicle’s height and type of cargo. Trucks are also subject to strict maintenance and upkeep codes.  If any of these regulations are broken, truck drivers and operating companies may face severe penalties.

If a loved one is injured in an accident with a truck, you need to prove negligence on the part of the truck driver. This is likely not something you can accomplish alone. A highly experienced truck accident lawyer has numerous resources available to investigate the accident and gather the necessary evidence to prove your case and win the compensation you deserve.