Speeding Truck Accidents

Commercial truck drivers are typically compensated per mile, which means that the more miles that they drive, the more money that they earn. Thus, many truck drivers travel at speeds that are greater than the posted speed limit to maximize their earnings. Truck drivers often lose the ability to control their trucks when they travel at a high rate of speed, however, and speeding is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. If you sustained injuries in a speeding truck accident, you should find out about the steps that you can take to protect your interests. The Boca Raton truck accident lawyers at The Grife Law Firm are adept at handling complex personal injury lawsuits, and we have the skills and experience needed to help you seek a successful outcome. We offer representation to injured people across South Florida.

When a truck driver disregards the speed limit or drives too fast for the conditions, it can cause life-altering harm. Drivers who speed often suffer a loss of control of their trucks and are more likely to roll over or jackknife, especially on curving roads. Speeding drivers also have a reduced ability to stop, and when they encounter another vehicle or a hazardous condition in their lane of travel, they may not be able to avoid an impact. Traveling at an excessive rate of speed also can cause a shift in the load of the cargo in the trailer of a truck, which can cause the truck to veer uncontrollably. Additionally, drivers who speed may not be able to monitor their blind spots properly, and they may not notice a vehicle in a blind spot until it is too late to avoid a collision.

There are numerous laws and regulations that dictate the speeds at which truck drivers are permitted to travel. For example, Florida Statute 316.183 states that no driver traveling on a highway is permitted to drive at a speed that is greater than what is prudent and reasonable under the present conditions. In other words, drivers must control their speed as necessary to avoid collisions. The statute also establishes a maximum speed limit of 30 miles per hour for vehicles in residential or business districts and 55 miles per hour on all other roads that are not highways that are part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations impose obligations with regard to speed limits on the companies that employ truck drivers. Specifically, Section 392.6 of the Regulations states that no motor carrier may schedule a run or require or permit the operation of any truck between points in a set period of time that would require the truck to be driven at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit.

Anyone injured in a speeding truck accident can seek damages from the truck's driver via a negligence claim. In some cases, the injured person will need to retain a biomechanical expert to extrapolate data from the truck and recreate the accident to determine how fast the truck was traveling prior to the accident. If the injured person can gather evidence sufficient to prove that the truck driver breached a duty of care by speeding and that the speeding caused the accident and the injured person’s harm, he or she may be awarded compensation. If the driver was employed by a motor carrier at the time of the accident, the injured person might pursue claims against the driver's employer as well.

Commercial trucks weigh several tons, and when they strike another vehicle at a high rate of speed, the consequences are often devastating. Anyone injured in a speeding truck accident should consult an attorney as soon as possible. At The Grife Law Firm, we take pride in offering effective and aggressive representation to accident victims, and if you retain our services, we will zealously advocate on your behalf. We have an office in Boca Raton, and we frequently represent people in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach. You can contact us through our online form or at 855-998-0770 to schedule a free case evaluation with a truck accident lawyer.