With an increasing number of trucks plying on the streets of New York, passenger vehicles are at a greater risk of accidents. Any accident with a truck can be dangerous but the damages are even higher if the collision occurs when the truck is speeding. A truck being driven over the permitted speed limit is far more likely to cause either a fatality or serious injuries that lead to paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, and amputation injuries.
With an increasing number of trucks plying on the streets of New York, passenger vehicles are at a greater risk of accidents. Any accident with a truck can be dangerous but the damages are even higher if the collision occurs when the truck is speeding. A truck being driven over the permitted speed limit is far more likely to cause either a fatality or serious injuries that lead to paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, and amputation injuries.
Speeding Truck Citations in New York
Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows that speeding is not as rare as common sense would dictate. In a single year, commercial truck drivers have been found to have received speeding citations as follows:
- For driving up to 10 miles per hour above the permitted speed: 67,487 citations
- For driving between 11 and 14 miles per hour over the prescribed speed: 28,325 citations
- For driving at 15 miles per hour or greater above the permitted speed: 15,510 citations.
These figures make it obvious that truck drivers do not let the huge size and unwieldy nature of their large vehicles stop them from throwing caution to the wind and driving at very high speeds. As a result, the frequency of truck accidents and serious injuries in New York City continues to be high year after year.
Why is a Speeding Truck Highly Dangerous?
While it is dangerous for any vehicle to speed, the risks magnify manifold when the vehicle in question is a large commercial truck or a big rig. The reasons for this greater danger include:
- The large size of these trucks makes it difficult for the driver to maneuver them, more so at high speeds, when faced with an emergency on the road.
- The heaviness of the large trucks makes it more difficult for the driver to retain control of the vehicle at high speeds. The weight also causes a far greater impact in a collision and this ups the risk of fatal consequences in the event of a crash with a smaller vehicle.
- Braking to reduce speed is not as fast and effective in larger trucks that need more time to come to a total stop.
Reasons for Speeding by NYC Truck Drivers
The major reason that causes truck drivers to speed is pressure from their employers. Trucking companies want to maximize their profits and this leads them to create unrealistic delivery schedules that do not take road and weather conditions into account. When their employer insists on delivery within a particular time, the truck driver has no option but to comply with the instructions, and being in a hurry, they tend to speed to make sure they reach the destination at the promised time.
There are also cases when truck drivers have been known to speed in a bid to make more money. The greater the distance covered, the larger is the driver’s paycheck. To earn more in lesser time, truck drivers tend to resort to speeding on highways, which increases the risk of catastrophic truck accidents in New York.
Consequences of Speeding on the Roads of New York
A truck driver who is speeding on the roads of New York is very likely to cause a grave accident because, at high speeds, it becomes difficult to control the vehicle. If an obstacle comes up suddenly on the road, or if there is an unexpected vehicle that gets into the truck’s path it is not easy for a large truck to speeding truck to slow down and stop in time to avoid a crash.
Their large size makes it difficult for trucks to stop as soon as the brakes are applied. This, combined with the high speed can lead to a catastrophic accident that can cause either fatality or severe, life-threatening injuries to persons hurt in the incident.
Some trucks carry heavy loads and when the driver speeds, it can become difficult to maintain the stability of the vehicle because the load may shift. In case the load has not been adequately secured, the shifting may cause goods to tumble out of position and onto the path of other vehicles on the road. Sometimes, heavily loaded trucks may end up having a rollover or jackknife accident if they are being driven at speeds above the permitted limits.
Factors that Increase Risk of a Speeding Truck Accident in NY
Certain driving behaviors are likely to increase the risk of a speeding truck accident. Driving aggressively, not following lane discipline, tailgating, and distracted driving may all lead to devastating consequences. Certain mechanical factors such as a tire blowout or brake failure may also be responsible for a truck accident.
Overloaded trucks or ones with insufficiently secured loads are also at greater risk of causing an accident. As with any other type of accident, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is unfortunately responsible for many speeding truck accidents in New York.
Impact of Road and Weather Conditions
A road that has many curves has to be navigated with a lot of caution and skill. A driver with insufficient training or experience in handling such roads is more likely to cause an accident. Even experienced truck drivers may be responsible for deadly accidents if they speed on such tricky roads.
Snow, ice, fog, rain, and strong winds are some examples of inclement weather conditions that affect the driver’s control of the truck. Poor weather may lead to a loss of control over the truck and make it difficult for the driver to avoid a collision, especially if they are speeding.
FMCSA Guidelines for Safe Driving by Truck Drivers
According to the FMCSA guidelines, truck drivers must drop speed when:
- The load being transported is heavy
- Driving on a road with curves
- Navigating through an entrance or exit ramp
Why are Truck Speeding Cases More Complicated?
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a speeding truck, you can file a personal injury claim to recover damages. However, unlike other motor vehicle accidents, speeding truck accident cases are more complex due to the following reasons:
- There may be more than one party involved in the accident. Besides the truck driver, representatives of the trucking company, their insurance providers, the vehicle maintenance company, and the cargo loading company may also have played a role in causing the accident.
- When multiple parties are involved, it becomes far more difficult to prove negligence because each entity tries to place the blame on the other parties. This can cause the legal process to drag on endlessly.
- Injuries in a speeding truck accident are far more grave and likely to cause wrongful death or permanent disability or amputation injuries. Therefore, the damages claimed are also far higher and insurance providers who always seek to avoid paying out large amounts will do all that they can to discredit claims.
Considering all these factors, it makes sense to hire an experienced and professional personal injury attorney to deal with your speeding truck accident in New York.
Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in New York
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a speeding truck accident in New York, hiring a personal injury lawyer can make all the difference to how much compensation you can recover. A personal injury lawyer in New York can help you to:
- Gather and safeguard evidence that proves the truck driver was driving over the prescribed speed limits.
- Collect evidence about the driver’s past safety record.
- Hire the best medical and financial experts to provide expert testimony that makes your case stronger.
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters to get the highest possible fair settlement in case you wish to avoid going to trial.
- Complete the legal paperwork in the right manner within the specified deadlines to ensure there is no problem with the technicalities of your claim.
- Build a strong case for the jury so that you receive the highest possible compensation to which you are entitled.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in New York Today
Being injured in a speeding truck accident in New York can be a devastating experience. We understand how difficult it can be to deal with legal matters even as you are recovering from your injuries. When you hire the legal team of skilled and compassionate personal injury attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP, you can be sure that your case is in expert hands, and focus your energies on the healing process.
Our speeding truck accident attorneys will hire an independent investigator to examine the accident site and interview eyewitnesses. Using accident reconstruction software, we can help you get an accurate picture of the party or entities at fault for the accident. Our extensive network with experts in the medical, legal, and financial spheres can help you build a strong case that fetches you the largest possible compensation that is your due.
To discuss the specifics of your case and explore how we can help you, call Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP today at 212-344-1000 or contact us online for a free case review.
