The Growing Threat of Trucking Accidents on West Virginia’s I-79 and I-68

Trucking accidents are a serious risk for motorists in West Virginia, especially along major interstates like I-79 and I-68. These busy highways see a high volume of semi, dump, and other large trucks transporting goods through the state. However, when truck drivers operate recklessly or make errors, devastating multi-vehicle crashes can occur.

Recent data shows trucking wrecks along I-79 and I-68 are persistently threatening lives while resulting in property damage and travel delays. Understanding key accident trends and risks on these West Virginia interstates can help improve awareness and push for better safety.

Examining Truck Crash Hot Spots and Factors Along I-79

I-79 running northwest through central West Virginia is plagued by frequent semi truck collisions annually. News reports chronicle the severe real-world impact of these devastating I-79 trucking accidents. Some examples include the listed below:

• On January 3, 2024, a heartbreaking fatal crash near mile marker 149 involved multiple vehicles and flattened a pick-up truck, killing two and hospitalizing two others (WBOY News Report)
• Another devastating accident on I-79 resulting in two deaths and two critical injuries was reported by the Dominion Post in early 2024.
• Three separate wrecks occurring on a single day near the I-79/I-68 split involved a total of eight vehicles, as reported by WBOY in 2024, demonstrating this highway merge point’s inherent dangers.
• A significant collision between two tractor trailers caused an explosive fire and hours-long shutdown of I-79, creating traffic chaos, as covered by WV News in 2024.

Truck accidents can be complex. Common causes along I-79 accidents include truckers traveling at unsafe speeds, distracted by devices, impaired by substances, or disregarding lane boundaries. The consequences are more dangerous for passenger motorists unprotected in smaller vehicles.

Key figures (Nationwide):

• Total Fatalities in Large Truck Crashes (2021): According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a total of 4,714 people died in large truck crashes in 2021. This was a 17% increase compared with 2020. Source: IIHS Fatality Facts 2021 – Large Trucks

• Injuries in Large-Truck Crashes: The National Safety Council reported that the number of injuries in large-truck crashes increased by 5% in 2021, totaling approximately 155,000. Source: National Safety Council – Large Trucks Injury Facts

Key Truck Crash Factors and Trends on I-68

I-68 cutting east-west across northern West Virginia faces similar truck accident challenges as I-79. Notable incidents along this route include:

• In October 2023, crashes involving a dump truck and semi trucks closed down I-68, creating major traffic issues, as reported by WDTV.
• A collision between a log truck and semi truck left both drivers injured, highlighting a common accident type, as covered by WSAZ in October 2023.
• Two multi-vehicle pileups just hours apart near mile marker 10 shut down I-68 entirely, involving nine vehicles and multiple injuries, as reported by WBOY in 2024.

Key figures (Nationwide):

• In 2021, 5,700 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, an 18% increase from 2020.

• 117,300 large trucks were involved in crashes resulting in an injury in 2021, a 12% increase from 2020.

• On average nationwide, 9.3 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal traffic crashes were large trucks.

Source Link: National Safety Council – Injury Facts

Visuals: Infographics on high-risk zones and factors for crashes on I-68 and I-79. Heat maps of most dangerous areas.

The Severe Toll of Truck Accidents in West Virginia

Beyond the property damages, injuries, deaths, and disruption from individual crashes, trucking accidents collectively impose huge burdens in West Virginia. The medical bills, lost wages, higher insurance premiums, and reduced quality of life stemming from truck collisions carry a compounding public cost over time as well.

Key figures (Nationwide):

• In 2021 there were 5,788 people killed and an estimated 154,993 people injured in traffic crashes involving large trucks. An estimated 523,796 large trucks were involved in police-reported traffic crashes nationwide during 2021.

• Seventy-two percent of people killed in large-truck traffic crashes in 2021 were occupants of other vehicles.

• Seventy-eight percent of the fatal traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2021 occurred on weekdays (6 a.m. Monday to 5:59 p.m. Friday).

Source Link: nhtsa.dot.gov 

With trucking traffic and accidents trending higher every year, stakeholders must make roadway safety a priority.

Securing Justice and Compensation with a Truck Accident Attorney

For victims suffering severe injuries and losses from a trucking crash obtaining experienced legal counsel is critical. An attorney can advise on:

• Preserving evidence from the crash
• Obtaining police reports
• Interviewing eyewitnesses
• Consulting medical experts
• Calculating damages
• Pinpointing all liable parties
• Negotiating fair settlements or pursuing court damages

Don’t delay in contacting an accomplished truck accident law firm for a free consultation after a collision. Justice, accountability, and safer roads should be the outcome.

Resources for Authoritative Truck Accident Data and Analysis

For credible and in-depth data sources on trucking safety issues, statistics, and research methodologies, consult:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Provides comprehensive data on traffic safety, including trucking accidents.

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Offers detailed statistics and analysis on large truck and bus accidents.

• West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT)

Contains state-specific traffic and accident data, including information on I-79 and I-68.

• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Provides in-depth research and statistics on vehicle safety and accidents.

• Bureau of Transportation Statistics (TS )

Offers a range of transportation data, including trucking accident statistics.

These authoritative entities provide rigorously compiled and vetted information on accident rates, trends, causes, and impacts over time. Their data empowers of analysis trucking risks on West Virginia and national highways.