Euless Speeding Truck Accident Lawyer
Speeding is one of the leading causes of car and truck accidents in the United States. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), drivers who broke the speed limit claimed the lives of 9,378 people in 2018 alone. That’s approximately 25 fatalities each day.
However, speeding accident statistics only include collisions where the car or truck driver was charged with a speeding-related offense, or if the authorities who responded to the crash listed speeding as a contributing factor in the accident report. Thus, the actual number of speeding accidents involving cars and trucks may be much higher.
If you or someone in your family is hit by a speeding truck, help is available. A truck accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and determine a plan of action. You may be able to sue the truck driver or their employer, or receive a settlement for the accident. Many victims of speeding truck accidents receive compensation that helps them pay medical bills, replace a damaged vehicle, and cover lost wages.
Don’t wait. Call (469) 998-4069 to speak to an attorney in Euless, TX about your speeding accident. Consultations are 100% free and confidential. Best of all, if we take your case, you’ll only pay for our services if we help you win.
Speeding Accident Dangers
Almost every adult driver speeds at some point in their life. Speeding is one of the most common forms of reckless driving. It’s estimated that 26% of all traffic accidents involve one or more drivers exceeding the legal speed limit.
Sadly, many of these collisions are fatal, especially when trucks are involved. Others cause severe, lifelong medical issues. Victims who survive a speeding accident may suffer injuries including, but not limited to:
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries, including partial or full paralysis
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that impair cognition
- Cuts, burns, and bruises
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage, including internal bleeding
After a speeding accident, many victims need weeks, months, or even years to fully recover. They may require surgery, rehabilitation, prosthetics, and in-home care. Many victims are unable to return to a normal life after being hurt in a speeding accident involving a truck. They may also struggle with expensive medical bills.
What makes speeding accidents involving trucks so dangerous? First, speeding inhibits a truck driver’s ability to control their vehicle. Due to their size, weight, and unique braking system, trucks cannot navigate around road hazards as quickly as a car.
Truck drivers are unable to turn or change lanes immediately. When they encounter a hazard in the road ahead, such as a stopped vehicle, a fallen tree branch, or another object in the road, they may not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting it. After a driver hits the brakes, large trucks need up to the distance of three football fields to come to a complete stop.
When the truck driver is speeding, they have even less time to react to safety hazards. This means they are much more likely to lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
Second, speed contributes to the impact force of the accident, or how hard the truck hits when it collides with a car or object in its path. Impact force is calculated by multiplying the mass (weight) of a truck times its velocity (speed). As a truck travels faster, it delivers an exponentially great impact force.
Here’s an example to understand how speed increases impact force. Let’s say you’re hit by a tractor-trailer that weighs the legal limit for large commercial trucks, which is 80,000 pounds. If that truck is traveling 55mph, the impact force of the collision will be 4,400,000 Newtons (a unit of force).
Now imagine that same truck is speeding at 75mph. In this scenario, the same accident delivers an impact force of 6,000,000 Newtons. For accident victims, this could mean the difference between injury and death.
How to Avoid Speeding Accidents
Although you can’t control whether or not a truck driver speeds, you can do your part to avoid causing a speeding accident. While it’s often tempting to speed, especially if you’re running late or trying to beat traffic, it’s never worth the risk. Always observe the local speed limit in Euless and neighboring communities.
If someone is tailgating you, don’t speed up to accommodate them. Instead, turn on your signal and change lanes once it’s safe. If you’re driving on a single-lane road, pull into a turn-out and allow them to pass you.
To avoid a speeding accident involving a truck, drive carefully around tractor-trailers and other large vehicles. Use designated passing lanes, when available, and don’t linger in the driver’s blind spots.
Always give large trucks plenty of room. Don’t tailgate. When passing a truck, wait until you see both headlights in your rearview mirror. This ensures that you have enough distance to return to your original lane safely.
If you notice another driver speeding or behaving recklessly, call 911 to report them. Often, many truck accidents are caused by other drivers who speed around the truck and pass improperly. By reporting a reckless driver, you may help prevent a deadly accident.
Get Help After a Speeding Truck Accident in Euless, TX
If you were involved in a speeding truck accident in Euless, help is available. Our legal team can assess your case and help you determine the best next steps after a speeding truck accident. Depending on the situation, you may be able to seek damages from the truck driver’s employer as well as the driver.
Don’t let a speeding accident prevent you from living a full life. Contact us today by dialing (469) 998-4069 or use our online contact form to schedule your consultation call. As always, consultations are free, confidential, and there’s no obligation to use our services. If we take your case, we won’t charge you for our services unless we help you win your truck accident case.
