Speeding Tractor-Trailer Accidents Can Cause Injury Or Death
Speeding is dangerous for any motorist as it endangers everyone on the road. This is particularly true when the speeding driver is behind the wheel of a hulking tractor-trailer, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Tractor-trailers, big-rigs, and other large commercial vehicles can cause devastating accidents even when speed isn't involved. 
Sadly, in cases where speed was a factor, the results can be catastrophic or even deadly.
If you were injured—or lost a loved one—in a tractor-trailer crash caused by a speeding commercial truck driver, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. Here's what you need to know if you're considering taking legal action.
Speeding Accident Statistics
- Accidents in which speeding was a factor killed more than 10,000 people in 2016 alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Speeding was a factor in 27 percent of fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2016.
- 18 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the accident.
- 37 percent of speeding drivers killed in 2016 were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
- In 2016, speeding played a role in 17 percent of large truck crashes, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
- Approximately 112,000 drivers are ticketed for speeding every day in the United States.
- Nearly 41 million speeding tickets are issued each year.
- The estimated total economic impact of speeding-related accidents averages $40 billion per year.
Common Injuries Associated With Tractor-Trailer Crashes
Considering the size and weight of a commercial tractor-trailer, compared to the average passenger vehicle, it's not difficult to see why serious injuries are so common among truck accident victims. The following are just a few of the many injuries associated with tractor-trailer crashes:
- Severe lacerations
- Contusions
- Serious abrasions
- Seat belt and airbag injuries
- Burns
- Broken or crushed bones
- Limb loss and amputations
- Internal injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Head traumas and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (which may result in varying degrees of paralysis)
- Death
Carefully documenting these injuries with their doctor can help tractor-trailer accident victims—and their personal injury attorneys—build a strong case for collecting compensation.
Damages Available for Truck Accident Victims
A tractor-trailer accident can have significant physical and financial consequences. Fortunately, Delaware's personal injury laws allow victims injured in accidents caused by someone else's negligence to seek compensation for their injuries and other losses—and crashes caused by a speeding truck driver definitely qualify. Tractor-trailer accident victims can pursue compensation for a wide range of economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Accident-related medical bills
- Future accident-related medical care
- Property damages
- Lost wages
- Loss of income, if applicable
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- And more
In addition to economic and non-economic damages, a third type of damages—known as punitive damages—may be awarded in cases where the defendant's conduct was particularly heinous. An attorney can advise clients on whether this type of damages may apply to their case.
Consult an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney About Your Truck Accident Case
A serious tractor-trailer accident can turn a person's entire world upside down, but a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you fight for the compensation you need to get back on your feet. If you were injured in a tractor-trailer accident caused by a speeding truck driver, the skilled attorneys with the Morris James Personal Injury Group can help you understand your rights and options. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation to discuss the details of your truck accident case with a member of our seasoned legal team.
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