Truck accidents are in general more dangerous than wrecks involving only passenger vehicles—and the danger increases if a truck driver is speeding. This dramatically compounds the chances that a victim of a truck wreck will suffer catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, paralysis, amputation, fractures and crushed bones, or death. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident caused by a truck driver who was speeding, our experienced truck accident attorneys are here to fight for the compensation that you deserve from the negligent driver and trucking company.
How Speeding Causes Truck Accidents
Truck drivers are under pressure from the trucking companies to deliver their loads quickly so that they can return to pick up a new shipment. This can cause truckers to engage in unsafe driving practices, such as driving longer than allowed under federal hours of service regulations and speeding. Here are some of the ways that driving too fast can lead to a tragic wreck:
- Inability to stop. It takes a truck longer to slow down and stop than a passenger vehicle. This necessary time period increases if a trucker is speeding. As a result, a trucker who is exceeding the speed limit is often unable to slow down or stop when traffic conditions require this.
- Weather. Speeding is more dangerous in rain, snow, fog, or ice. Even if a trucker is not exceeding the speed limit, he could lose control of his truck and crash into your vehicle if he does not drive slowly enough for hazardous weather conditions.
- Loads. When a truck driver is speeding, it can be more difficult for him to maneuver the truck due to his load, which can shift more in transport and make keeping the truck stable more challenging. This can cause the trucker to cause a rollover or jackknife accident.
- Curves. Truckers should slow down to safely drive around curves. When they do the opposite, a deadly crash is a likely consequence.
- Loss of control. As with drivers of passenger vehicles who speed, a truck driver is more likely to lose control of his truck when he is speeding and must suddenly avoid an obstacle, slow down or stop, or respond to other driving hazards.
The Truck Black Box: A Powerful Tool to Prove a Trucker Was Speeding
Most trucks manufactured since the 1990s are equipped with a black box, which is also referred to an event data recorder (EDR). It will record the truck’s average speed during the last 30 days and the truck’s speed at specific times, including during your accident. This could help you prove that the trucker was speeding—and responsible for compensating you for your injuries.
You will need the assistance of an experienced truck accident attorney to obtain the EDR data from the trucking company before it is destroyed or taped over, and other evidence that you will need to prove the trucker’s and trucking company’s negligence. To learn about our experience helping other truck accident victims and your legal options, call our Norfolk office to schedule your free case evaluation.
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