The High Stakes of Speeding: Why Speeding Makes Truck Accidents Far More Dangerous

Trucks, of course, are very dangerous and when speeding is added into the equation, disastrous consequences often unfold. These vehicles are unjokingly large and heavy, and when combined with deadly speeding, such an accident could mean severe injury or even death. If you ever find yourself in a truck accident where the truck was speeding, here are the things you should know.

Dangerous Nature of Speeding Trucks

When trucks approach about 80,000 pounds while fully loaded, the dangers posed here are considerable. As speed increases, the truck decreases its stopping capability; all these factors together raise the technical odds against the speeding truck driver to maintain control over the heavy machine. Besides, at high speeds, a truck would require longer stopping distances, greater maneuvering distance, and it would become more difficult to steer, for example, on a slippery road or a tight turn. On account of these facts, wrecks initiated by speeding trucks, wherein the truck driving systems maximally fail to protect themselves or the surrounding road users against the high kinetic energy generated by crashing, are more likely to occur. This results in a larger forceful impact with severe injuries or death.

How Speeding Affects Liability

When a truck driver is speeding, in general, that will amount to negligent conduct. In Indiana, as indeed in many states, negligence is the main consideration in assigning liability. Yet, the speeding truck accident claim does not necessarily stop with the driver.

Truck Driver's Duty 

 The truck driver is obliged to drive in a safe manner and comply with all traffic laws. Speeding is a direct violation of that duty. Examples of evidence that the driver was speeding include the following:

• Traffic Violation: If a ticket for speeding was issued on the spot to the driver for the offense of speeding at the time of the crash, this will serve as good evidence later on.
• Black box: Most of the modern trucks are equipped with electronic devices (also known as event data recorders or black boxes) to track speed, braking, and other vital information. This can be strong evidence as well.
• Eyewitness statements: Persons who witnessed the truck speeding prior to the crash would assist to substantiate your claim.

Responsibility of the Trucking Company

There are situations in which the shipping company could be liable for the driver being urged or forced to speed. For example, if a company pressures a driver to meet unrealistic deadlines, then he might be compelled to exceed the set threshold to meet that schedule. Driver training may be very poor or the monitoring of drivers might be lacking, thus placing liability on the company.

How to go about filing a claim for a speeding truck accident

If you've sustained an injury due to a speeding truck accident, there are a couple things you should and you should treat these with urgency:

1. Get Medical Attention Fast: Always seek medical treatment, even if you do not feel injured immediately or if you feel you just need a couple of bandages. Some injuries, such especially internal injuries, may feel mild at first but this greater pain might manifest later on. 
2. Gather Evidence: Your attorney will help get evidence that supports proving the truck driver was speeding. This could include police reports, testimonies by witnesses, black box data, and video footage.
3. Consult with an Experienced Attorney: Truck accident cases are a lot more complicated than regular car accidents. A skilled personal injury lawyer will be your guide through this entire process, negotiating with the insurance companies on your behalf and helping you get fairly compensated.

Conclusion

Speeding truck accidents may bring about life-changing consequences, but owing to a proper legal representation, you will get justice and compensation. Proving negligence is a top priority in these cases, where pieces of evidence like black box records and statements from witnesses become crucial. An experienced attorney can thus give you a better chance in the legal process-whether negotiating a settlement or in trial. If you are injured in a speeding truck accident, you should do everything in your power to put the wheels of justice in motion.