Understanding the Impact of Accidents on the Trucking Industry
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Accident Severity
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Increasing Insurance Premiums & Nuclear Verdicts
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Shortage of Drivers
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Age of Tractor/Trailer
PROBLEMS
Nationwide, the number of severe log truck crashes increased steadily from 2010-2015 (Figure 5-3). The number of fatal, injury and tow-away crashes increased by 46%, 85% and 117%, respectively, during the past six years. It’s not surprising that accidents increased as timber markets recovered following the recession; however, increases in severe accidents far outpaced increases in timber harvest volume.
Figure 5-3: Number of fatal, injury, and tow-away accidents involving log trucks in the U.S. from 2010-2015. Accidents that do not result in a fatality, injury, or tow-away are not included in FMCSA reports. Source FMCSA 2011-2016.
Figure 4-1: Increases in truck insurance rates from 2012-2017 as reported by Georgia loggers on the 2017 Georgia logger survey.