Evansville Speeding Truck Accident Attorneys

We all know that speeding is dangerous, but when a truck driver speeds, they can set off a chain reaction that causes catastrophic accidents. The force of impact when 80,000-pounds hits a typical 3,000-pound vehicle is enormous, and the injuries are serious, if not deadly. However, the size of the vehicle isn’t the only thing that makes a large truck dangerous.

Large trucks require specialized training to operate because they handle and maneuver differently than other vehicles on the road. Differences in size, weight, type of cargo, and how the cargo is loaded can all impact the way a truck handles. Those changes can be amplified when the truck is operating outside of safe or legal speed parameters. These are some of the common problems that can arise when a truck driver is pushing their vehicle beyond safe speeds:

• Inability to Stop – This is the first and probably most obvious problem that comes from speeding. When we hit the breaks in a car, it can feel like we are coming to a stop almost immediately. That is simply not the case for large trucks. The larger and heavier the vehicle, the more time it takes to slow down and stop. If a truck is speeding, it can be almost impossible for a driver to slow down and stop with enough time to avoid causing an accident. This is especially true in cases where traffic patterns shift quickly, there is an accident on the road that needs to be avoided, or a driver needs to avoid hitting another car, bicycle, or pedestrian suddenly.
• Inclement Weather Conditions – Speeding is particularly dangerous in inclement weather like snow, rain, fog, even wind. Not only are drivers supposed to exercise caution in bad weather, they are also required to slow down. Posted speed limits do not always apply during times of poor weather. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires all truck drivers to reduce their speed, use their lights, and be prepared to stop suddenly. These are not just guidelines, it is the law.
• Dangerous Curves Ahead – It is easy to lose control of a vehicle by speeding through curves in the road. That is doubly true for large trucks because they are so much more difficult to maneuver. Not following posted speed limits on curves can lead to serious accidents like jackknifing.
• Shifting Cargo – It isn’t just the weight of the cargo that impacts how a truck responds to certain situations and conditions, it is the way the cargo is loaded. Differences in where the cargo is placed and how it shifts can impact how a truck handles. If cargo is loaded incorrectly or the weight is not distributed properly, it can lead to serious problems when it comes time to stop the vehicle. Again, this problem is compounded when the truck is traveling at an unsafe speed.

Who Is Liable for a Speeding Accident?

The question of liability in a truck accident can be complicated. The driver who was speeding will likely take the brunt of the blame for causing the accident. However, what if the truck driver was speeding because their speedometer was incorrect? Now the driver and perhaps the trucking company are both responsible for the accident, because the company failed in its duty to inspect the safety of the vehicle.

Perhaps the trucking company was negligent in its hiring and training practices, and that led to the issues that resulted in an accident. It could be that the manufacturer of the speedometer is also liable for the accident because the part was defective. Now you are up to three separate parties that have liability in the accident, and this is just one, hypothetical scenario. The driver, trucking company, manufacturer, even the company that loaded the cargo may all be liable in some way for an accident.

Trucking companies don’t want you to do your research or talk to a lawyer. They want to get away with paying out the least amount of money possible while forcing you to hand over all your legal rights. They want you to accept their offer, knowing full well it probably won’t be enough to cover half of what you need or deserve. They may even try to blame you and make you feel like the accident was your fault.

These are tactics they use to make you afraid to fight back. Before you sign anything or agree to their offer, it’s important that you seek legal advice. At Chapman Injury Lawyers, we offer a free consultation to review your case. We listen to your story and give you the advice you need to make the right decision for you and your family. We will always provide a fair and honest assessment of your case.

Why Do I Need A Lawyer?

The trucking company has teams of lawyers at their disposal. They can bury you in paperwork or even hide or destroy valuable evidence. A knowledgeable and experienced lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case and secure valuable evidence such as in-cab video recorders, safety logbooks, maintenance records on the truck itself, cell phone records, and other information that may help your case. It can be nearly impossible to investigate a truck accident on your own. In many situations, a company may flat out refuse to provide evidence without a court order.

At Chapman Injury Lawyers, we’ll additionally work with experts, such as medical experts who can show the extent of your injuries, and accident reconstruction specialists who can help prove fault. We’ll negotiate assertively with the responsible parties’ insurance companies to secure a fair settlement, and we’ll also prepare to take your case to trial, if necessary, to secure maximum compensation.

We will handle the numerous details related to your case, so that you can focus on recovering after the trauma of your accident.

How Can Chapman Injury Lawyers Help Me After a Speeding Accident?

Your number one priority right now should be focusing on the health and well-being of yourself and your family. You can’t do that with the stress and anxiety of this accident hanging over your head. At Chapman Injury Lawyers, we want to shoulder that burden for you, so you can work on healing and moving forward with your life.

You shouldn’t have to worry about living with a crushing medical debt for an accident you didn’t cause. We hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. That means they must fairly compensate victims for their medical bills, missed work, and pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries as a result of a truck accident, turn to the experienced injury attorneys of Chapman Injury Lawyers for help. We will aggressively fight for your rights, while offering you the compassionate support you need right now. Call us today at (812) 426-0600 to schedule a free consultation.