What you’ll learn reading this article:

1. Because of their excessive weight and height, speeding trucks can cause dangers beyond typical speeding vehicles. 
2. At their heaviest, semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and require almost two football fields’ worth of distance to brake fully. 
3. Truck drivers must take special care not to exceed their ideal speed when in work zones, adverse weather or winding roads. 

Truck accidents can be catastrophic, especially for victims in smaller vehicles. In the United States, semi-trucks can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds when they are hooked up to a trailer and carrying freight, and even trucks without a trailer attached can weigh between 10,000 and 25,000 pounds. To put this in perspective, the average American car weighs less than 3,000 pounds.

When those thousands of pounds of truck are traveling at 65 mph, which is the speed limit for trucks on most Indiana interstates, they make a formidable sight. Because of their excess weight, it takes a semi-truck traveling 65 mph approximately 525 feet to come to a complete stop, or the length of almost two football fields.

It’s easy to see why truck accidents can be so devastating and result in such horrific injuries, including death.

The Seriousness of Speeding

Now imagine a semi-truck speeding or engaging in other reckless behavior, and those dangers increase exponentially.

The following are situations in which truck drivers must take special precautions when slowing and stopping:

• Exits, Merges and Curves

In addition to their heavy loads, trucks themselves can be top-heavy, making turns and curves at high speeds very dangerous. Because of this, semis must slow down when taking curves to avoid rollovers. Trucks must also take care to merge at reasonable speeds.

• Work Zones

Interstates with active construction zones can create slowdowns, stopped traffic and more. Semi drivers must remain alert to possibilities of slowed or stopped traffic in order to leave enough space to stop safely. Failing to pay attention to signage and traffic patterns, including leaving adequate stopping distance, can result in horrific accidents, such as this fiery, fatal crash on I-70.

• Adverse Weather

While weather conditions can affect any vehicle, they can be especially troublesome for truck drivers. Because of their height, trucks are more susceptible to high winds. Their weight and need for extra braking distance can also make ice, rain, sleet and snow problematic, and in these situations, truck drivers should always slow down.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Speeding while driving a semi-truck is one of the most negligent moves a trucker can make, but it is not the only one. While speeding creates dangerous situations for trucks, the following are other common causes of truck accidents in Indiana:

• Distracted driving.
• Drunk or drugged driving.
• Drowsy driving.
• Merging without checking blind spots.
• Improperly loaded cargo.
• Improperly maintained vehicle.
• Poor road conditions.

Truck accidents can result in severe physical, emotional and financial losses for victims. If you’ve been injured by a speeding or reckless truck driver, contact PBAR today for your free case review.

You and your loved ones deserve compensation. Our qualified lawyers have the experience to investigate your truck accident injury, securing essential evidence such as the driver’s logs, the truck’s black box, witness statements, photographs, physical evidence, police reports, medical bills and more.

Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery—Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured physically or mentally by a person, product or company, you need to know your legal rights. Our personal injury attorneys are experienced with cases like yours and can evaluate what your case may be worth. We will ensure that you are protected and compensated for your injuries and losses.

Why pay up to 40% in attorney fees? Our fee is only 25%*, and we fight to win your case or you pay no attorney fees at all. Don’t hesitate—one of our experienced attorneys can assist you right away.

Call 800-265-9881 for a free case review.