A speeding truck accident can leave you feeling physically and financially devastated and vulnerable. You may be trying to cope with your growing medical bills and unable to work because of your injuries. You may be worried about how you will keep your house and continue paying your other bills. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, we understand how stressful it can be to navigate the aftermath of a serious truck accident. This is especially true when insurance companies, lawyers, and a major trucking company begin fighting your compensation claim.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney in North CarolinaThey may try to take advantage of you because you are unsure how to proceed, injured, and vulnerable. Contacting an experienced personal injury attorney is one of the most important steps you can take. The attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, have the skills and experience necessary to take the trucking companies on with confidence. We will advocate for you to obtain the maximum compensation you deserve after a truck accident with a speeding truck driver. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation at our Charlotte personal injury law firm.
Understanding Speeding Truck AccidentsTruck drivers are under intense pressure to meet their deadlines as quickly as possible. Even though federal law requires truck drivers to maintain safe speeds and take frequent breaks, some truck drivers disregard these rules. In North Carolina, speeding is not just illegal; it is also dangerous to other people on the road. When an 80,000 pound or heavier truck begins speeding, the consequences can be catastrophic. The higher the speed, the more difficult it is for the truck driver to handle the truck and maneuver it safely.
The truck might collide with another vehicle, causing a deadly accident. When the accident occurs on a freeway or highway, the truck may jackknife, blocking all of the lanes of traffic. Vehicles approaching the truck may not stop or avoid colliding with a truck, causing a deadly multi-vehicle collision. Due to the speed and force of these collisions, explosions and fires often occur, making it difficult for rescue personnel to help the victims.
Common Causes of Speeding AccidentsWe live in a fast-paced society, and everyone expects to have their goods delivered quickly. Truck drivers are a vital part of getting customers the goods they need. However, the pressure to deliver goods quickly could increase the likelihood that truck drivers or their employers value speed over safety. Doing so puts people's lives at risk. Speed can kill. We will discuss some of the common causes of speeding truck accidents below.
Congested TrafficAccording to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, bad traffic is one of the most common reasons for speed-related truck accidents. When a truck driver is caught in congested traffic, they may become worried that it is impossible to meet the deadline. They may speed to avoid getting caught in dangerous traffic conditions or try to make up for lost time to meet their deadline.
Distracted DrivingWhen a driver is texting, on the phone, watching videos, or eating and drinking, they may be so focused on the task they are doing that they do not realize they are increasing their speed. It is difficult to focus on staying within the North Carolina speed limits when your brain is thinking about something else. Truck drivers have a legal obligation to make sure they remain within North Carolina's posted speed limits.
Rural SettingsTruck drivers may take advantage of quiet rural roads and try to speed down them because they think there will not be any police officers present. Additionally, the lack of heavy traffic on rural roads makes it more tempting for truck drivers to speed on them because they have a false sense of security. These rural roads have fewer cars, so drivers may feel that they are not endangering anyone by recklessly speeding. Many fatal crashes involving large semi-trucks occur on rural highways every year.
AnonymityFinally, anonymity is another common cause of speeding. Truck drivers may feel like they are shielded from the outside world, making aggressive behavior acceptable. They may feel like since no one knows who they are, and they drive hundreds of thousands of miles, there is not a likelihood that anyone will see them again. This type of anonymity makes it more tempting for truck drivers to engage in speeding and more likely to cause devastating accidents.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Charlotte TodayIf you or your loved one has been injured in a speeding truck accident, we can help. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, we offer our clients a free initial consultation so they can learn more about their case and ask us questions. Contact our Charlotte personal injury law firm today at 704.370.2828 to schedule your initial consultation.