Many truck drivers are actively encouraged to make as many deliveries as possible since this increases the profitability of the motor carrier, which is paid by the load. However, speeding is the most frequent driver-related factor for fatal truck accidents, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Truck drivers who speed place others on the roadway in danger for serious injuries and fatalities that are avoidable if truck drivers simply obey the law.
If you were injured by a speeding truck driver, a Los Angeles speeding lawyer from
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help. Call us at (800) 794-0444 to speak to a member of our team about your potential claim for recovery.
Dangers Posed by Speeding Commercial Trucks
Speeding trucks can pose a danger to the public for the following reasons:
Trucks Take Longer to Stop
Trucks often weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger cars, which can result in needing 20 to 30 percent more distance to stop, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This factor can substantially increase the likelihood of being involved in an accident because the driver may not have sufficient time to stop if a driver in front of him or her suddenly brakes or a hazard presents itself.
Accidents Are More Likely to Occur
Studies show that an increased rate of speed corresponds to an increased likelihood of a collision.
Cargo May Shift
Another risk factor of speeding is that it is more likely that higher speeds may cause the cargo on board to shift. This can change the equilibrium of the weight of the cargo to shift so that one side is much heavier than the other. Ultimately, the truck may tip over or jackknife in response.
Turns Are More Difficult
Drivers may have more difficulty making turns when traveling at higher speeds, which may cause them to ram into vehicles in adjacent lanes or cause them to overcorrect into other vehicles.
The Impact Is More Serious
When a vehicle is traveling at a faster pace, the force of a collision is much stronger, resulting in more serious injuries and a greater likelihood of fatalities.
When truck drivers blatantly ignore speed limits and trucking companies actively encourage truckers to make their deliveries in unreasonable intervals, they should be held responsible for their negligent behavior. You may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against them if you suffer injuries because of a speeding truck driver. Taking legal action may help you recover compensation for the losses you suffered.
Serious Injuries and Deaths
Sadly, speeding often causes serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, quadriplegia, amputated limbs, disfiguring injuries, and others. It may also lead to the loss of life.
When you suffer a serious injury or lose a loved one under these circumstances, you may recover compensation for the following:
- The cost to repair or replace your vehicle
- Your current and reasonably anticipated future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other non-economic losses
If your loved one dies, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim and possibly recover compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, loss of services, and other amounts you might have received had your loved one not passed away. While no amount can ever bring your loved one back, this type of claim can help hold a trucking company responsible.
For a free legal consultation with a Speeding Accidents Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Evidence to Show the Driver Was Speeding
Unfortunately, it may be difficult for you to prove the truck driver was speeding at the time of the accident. The truck company’s insurance representatives may try to minimize the value of your claim or deny it altogether. For these reasons, you may want to retain the services of a Los Angeles speeding lawyer who can help gather evidence to show the truck driver was speeding.
Proving the truck driver’s speed right before a collision can be critical to the potential success of your claim and establishing the driver’s negligence. Our lawyers may be able to prove this claim by:
- Collecting evidence at the scene, such as broken vehicle pieces or photographing skid marks
- Reviewing photographs or video of the accident scene, including the point and severity of impact
- Reviewing data from the truck’s electronic black box that details the speed the vehicle was traveling before impact and when the driver applied the brakes
- Gathering information about the driver and his or her safety record
- Using accident reconstruction software to demonstrate how the collision likely occurred
Our team will investigate your accident, help preserve critical evidence, and negotiate a fair settlement. Contact us today to get started on your claim.
Los Angeles Speeding Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Limited Time to Act
You have two years under California’s statute of limitations to file a lawsuit against the truck driver and/or company, according to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1. However, it is vital that you act much sooner. While a lawyer may be able to preserve evidence in your claim after you retain his or her services, trucking companies may record over important data regularly, making this critical evidence irretrievable. By contacting a personal injury lawyer as soon after your accident as possible and starting the investigation early in the process, you could be protecting the value and potential success of your claim.
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Call Our Team Today for a Free Consultation
If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, our Los Angeles speeding lawyers can help. We can look into your claim and determine if you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you have suffered. Contact a member of our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm by calling (800) 794-0444. When you work with our firm, you will never pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form