Posted on Friday, March 10th, 2017 at 7:07 pm
During 2014, there were 9,262 deaths in speed-related accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This represented 28 percent of the traffic fatalities for that year. In California that year, 3,074 people lost their lives in traffic accidents. Of that number, 991 deaths were in speed-related accidents. As speed increases, the chance of being killed in a motor vehicle accident also increases. The same is true for large truck accidents. Truck accidents are extremely dangerous; however, when speed is involved, the risk of a fatality is even higher.
Deaths and Injuries in Large Truck Accidents
Any speeding vehicle is a potentially dangerous weapon. However, when the vehicle is an 80,000-pound commercial truck, drivers and passengers of other vehicles don’t stand a chance. The NHTSA reports that over 70 percent of the fatalities and injuries in large truck accidents are sustained by the drivers and passengers of other vehicles.
The NHTSA also reports that speeding is a major factor in many commercial truck accidents. As the speed of a large truck increases, the ability of the driver to control the vehicle around curves decreases. Furthermore, the time required to stop a truck increases with speed. Therefore, the driver’s ability to safely operate a large truck is severely impaired when the driver is exceeding a safe speed.
It should also be noted that the speed limit for a large truck may not be the same as the speed limit for a passenger vehicle. For example, the speed limit for a large truck traveling in the mountains or on curvy roads is often less than the speed limit for a vehicle because of the logistics of maneuvering and stopping a vehicle of that weight and size. Truck drivers should pay close attention to the posted speed limits and obey those limits to decrease the risk of a speeding truck accident.
Factors in a Speeding Truck Accident
If a truck driver knows the dangers of speeding, why would he risk his life and the lives of innocent victims? The answer often relies on other factors involved in commercial truck accidents. One of the most common reasons for speeding is tight or unrealistic deadlines. Trucking companies push their drivers to deliver loads as quickly as possible to increase profits. However, some companies set deadlines that are impossible to meet without exceeding safe speed limits. The demands placed on the driver by the trucking company can lead to a speeding truck accident.
Other factors that are often present in a speeding truck accident include:
- Drivers who are fatigued or drowsy
- Talking on a cell phone or using other electronic devices while driving
- Texting while driving
- Reckless or careless driving
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Whatever the reason for a speeding truck accident, the innocent victims often pay the price in physical, emotional, and financial damages. If you are the victim of a speeding truck accident, you deserve to receive compensation for your injuries.
Call a Sacramento Truck Accident Attorney for Help
Our Sacramento truck accident attorneys can help you uncover the evidence you need to prove that the truck driver, trucking company, or another party is responsible for the accident that resulted in your injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering in addition to compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses, property damage.
Contact the Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 to request a free legal consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys. Our California truck accident lawyers represent clients throughout Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and other communities in the greater Sacramento area.
