Should trucks traveling through California have devices that limit how fast they can go on highways? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) thinks so and has called on the U.S. government to expedite plans to require speed limiters for large trucks.
Why limiting truck speed is necessary
Over the past several years, excessive speed has become an increasing factor in many motor vehicle accidents. Speed is an even more crucial factor in truck accidents because of the sheer size and weight of the largest vehicles like semi-tractor-trailers. For more than a decade, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has called for devices that limit the top speed on commercial vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds. Semi-trucks take longer to stop and cause more severe accidents. The same holds for smaller Class 3-6 trucks, as many weigh 10,000 to 26,000 pounds when loaded to capacity.
The speed at which trucks can travel with the limiters will be determined at a later date. Complicating matters are risky behaviors that have developed over the past several years, with excessive speed being one of the problems. Trucking industry groups have mixed views on the speed limiters, with some believing that the devices will cause more accidents.
Truck accidents result in complicated situations
Truck accidents generally cause more severe injuries than other types of motor vehicle crashes. Speed is often a contributing factor, especially when negligence is involved.
The severity of truck accidents frequently results in injuries taking years to resolve or even permanent disability. Plaintiffs could obtain a settlement or jury award that would cover medical treatments and other expenses for the rest of their lives, depending on the extent of their harm. If you have suffered injuries in a trucking accident, please contact The Law Office of Aman N. Shah and we’ll help you assess your options.
