Of all the contributing factors to an accident, speed is among the most significant. How fast a vehicle is traveling has a huge bearing on not only the severity of an impact but on the ability of the driver to stop the vehicle within a safe distance. In the case of a tractor-trailer truck accident, there is already tremendous potential for injury and damage because of the vehicle’s size and weight. A truck’s speed can compound that hazard exponentially.
BRAKING DISTANCES INCREASE AT HIGH SPEEDS
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):
“A fully loaded truck traveling under good conditions at highway speeds requires a distance of almost two football fields to stop.”
That’s almost 600 feet, and when the driver exceeds highway speeds, the distance is far greater. Factor in reaction time, and it’s easy to see that a truck’s speed matters quite a lot.
TRUCKING REGULATIONS AND LIABILITY
Due to their size and capacity to inflict severe injury and damage, trucks and their operators are strictly regulated. Truckers are required to log mileage and drive times to avoid spending too many hours on the road without adequate rest. Trucking companies must keep their rigs in good repair, performing scheduled maintenance at prescribed intervals.
If its tires are worn, brake pressure is low, or the driver is tired/distracted, a truck’s speed cannot be reduced in a short enough distance to avoid a collision. Truckers and truck companies alike may be held liable for your injuries or loss if you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a truck accident.
You need a personal injury lawyer with proven experience on your side to see to it that justice is served for your pain and suffering following a tractor-trailer collision. Someone who will stand up to big insurance and trucking companies for your rights.
At the Fry | Goehring, we believe you deserve to have your life and livelihood restored, to be recompensed for your losses if you’ve been injured in a truck accident. Let us go to bat for you against the big boys and fight for your fair and reasonable compensation. Our entire staff pledges to treat you with compassion, respect, and dignity.
Call us today and schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
