Speeding in any vehicle is unsafe. It puts the speeding driver, passengers, and other motorists at risk. A speeding commercial truck is even more dangerous than other vehicles because of its:
- Size
- Weight
- Stopping distance
Why Truckers Speed
Truck drivers are held to strict delivery schedules and pressured to meet tight deadlines. They might drive long hours and travel faster than the speed limit/road conditions allow. The results are:
- Inability to slow down/stop quickly, especially in bad weather
- Shifting of cargo, which increases the risk of jackknife accidents
- Loss of traction on curves, which can cause rollovers
- Catastrophic collisions
In a collision between a passenger car and a speeding semi-truck, the occupants of the car usually suffer severe injuries or death. If you’re involved in a crash caused by a speeding truck, the driver’s insurance company is liable for your damages:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death (if a loved one is lost)
Why You Might Need an Attorney
There are three main reasons to hire an attorney after a speeding truck crash: preserving the black box data, negotiating for the highest possible settlement, and handling the complicated liability issues associated with having multiple defendants.
1. Preserving the Black Box Data
A truck accident attorney will know how to get information that’s crucial to your case from a commercial truck’s black box recorder before the data is deleted by the trucking company.
2. Negotiating for the Highest Possible Settlement
Truck accident claims are among the most expensive for insurance companies, which try to deny costly claims or offer victims quick, low settlements to keep the company profitable. An experienced lawyer knows all their tricks and how to negotiate with them to get you a fair award.
3. Handling Multiple Defendants
A truck accident attorney also knows how to deal with multiple defendants in a truck crash:
- Trucker
- Trucking company
- Truck owner/leasing company
- Truck/part manufacturer
- Repair service
- Cargo-loading personnel
Any of these parties might be fully or partially liable for your damages. If your medical expenses are higher than the coverage limits of one defendant, you could collect from other defendants as well.
Filing claims against multiple defendants, negotiating with them, and possibly filing multiple lawsuits would be very difficult for the average person, especially during recovery from severe injuries. Your attorney can do all these things while you focus on getting well, and you’re likely to get a much better settlement with a lawyer than without one, so your legal representation should pay for itself and more.
Have You Been Injured by a Speeding Trucker in South Dakota?
Take the first step toward justice by speaking to an experienced truck accident lawyer. Contact us online or call us at 605-644-5003 to schedule a free consultation. You pay no attorney fees until we win your case.