Speeding is dangerous under any circumstances, but when it involves an 80,000-pound truck, the risks rise dramatically. A speeding commercial vehicle can turn a minor traffic incident into a life-altering tragedy. These accidents often result in catastrophic injuries for occupants of smaller vehicles who never stood a chance.
At Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, we’ve seen firsthand the damage a speeding truck can cause. If you’ve been hurt in this kind of accident, we want you to know that help is available—and you don’t have to go through it alone.
The Physics Behind Speeding Truck Accidents
When trucks travel at high speeds, stopping them becomes far more difficult. It all comes down to physics: the heavier the vehicle and the faster it’s going, the more distance it takes to stop. A fully loaded semi-truck can require over 200 feet to come to a complete stop, far more than the average passenger car.
That distance only increases in bad weather, on downhill slopes, or when a driver is distracted. If the truck is speeding, the stopping distance grows even longer, and the impact during a collision becomes much more severe. At highway speeds, the energy in a truck crash can be devastating, causing multi-vehicle accidents, fires, or even fatalities.
Common Scenarios Involving Speeding Trucks
Speeding trucks don’t just lead to minor scrapes. These are the types of accidents we commonly see:
- Rear-end collisions: A speeding truck can’t slow down in time for traffic that has come to a stop.
- Jackknife accidents: Speeding increases the chance that the trailer will swing out, especially when braking suddenly or on slippery roads.
- Rollovers: High speeds and tight curves are a dangerous mix, particularly on off-ramps or curved highways.
- Multi-vehicle pileups: A fast-moving truck that can’t stop in time can trigger a chain reaction, harming several vehicles at once.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), speeding is a factor in nearly one-third of all fatal truck crashes. That statistic represents lives lost and families forever changed.
Who’s Liable: Driver vs. Trucking Company
You might assume the truck driver is the only one responsible, but that’s not always the case. While a driver may have been speeding, we often uncover that the trucking company contributed to the danger. For example:
- Some companies pressure drivers to meet tight delivery schedules, encouraging unsafe speeds.
- Others fail to monitor driver behavior using tools like GPS or electronic logging devices (ELDs).
- In some cases, companies hire drivers with poor safety records or fail to provide adequate training.
When we take on a truck accident case, we dig into company policies, records, and hiring practices to determine who’s really at fault. That way, we can hold all responsible parties accountable, not just the person behind the wheel.
Prevention Strategies That Could Save Lives
There are steps the trucking industry can take to reduce speeding accidents:
- Electronic speed limiters can cap a truck’s maximum speed.
- Real-time monitoring systems can alert companies to dangerous driving behaviors.
- Federal regulations, such as hours-of-service rules, are designed to reduce fatigue, which often goes hand-in-hand with speeding.
- Better training and oversight can ensure drivers understand the risks and drive responsibly.
Unfortunately, not all companies invest in safety. When they cut corners, innocent people pay the price.
How We Help Victims of Speeding Truck Accidents
If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a speeding truck, we’ll help you pursue the compensation you’re owed. Our team knows how to:
- Investigate the crash
- Recover black box and GPS data
- Analyze driver logs and company records
- Consult with professionals in trucking safety and accident reconstruction
At Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, we’ve recovered significant settlements and verdicts in trucking cases throughout California. Every case is different, but we approach each one with the same goal: securing justice for our clients.
Contact Our Experienced Walnut Creek Speeding Truck Accident Attorneys
Speeding truck accidents can change your life in an instant. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a crash involving a commercial truck, don’t wait to seek help. At Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, we’ll stand up to the trucking companies and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We’re ready when you are.