Speeding Truck Accidents

When a fully loaded truck weighing up to 80,000 pounds travels above the legal speed limit or drives too fast for road conditions, the driver can easily lose control of the vehicle. A speeding truck takes longer to stop and creates greater impact upon collision, which is why crashes involving speeding trucks may be more likely to result in fires, fatalities, chain-reaction collisions, and serious injuries.

At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we represent people seriously injured in trucking accidents across Westchester, New York, and the lower Hudson Valley region. With almost 40 years of experience and services offered in English and Spanish, attorney Mark A. Siesel has built a reputation for standing up to insurance companies and large trucking corporations to seek compensation for accident victims. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident and are wondering how you will pay for car repairs and medical bills, contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel for a free consultation.

Why Speeding Trucks Are So Dangerous

Commercial trucks handle differently than passenger vehicles. Their size and weight make them harder to maneuver and stop at regular speeds, so when a truck driver is speeding, even slightly, it significantly increases the risk of a serious crash.

At high speeds:

• Stopping distances increase dramatically. A truck traveling at 65 mph may need up to two football fields to come to a complete stop.
• Brakes and tires can fail. Heat buildup from high-speed driving can cause blowouts or brake fade.
• Reaction time is reduced. Drivers have less time to respond to stopped traffic and other hazards.
• Impact forces are greater. The faster the truck, the more forceful the collision, which is why truck accidents involving speed are more likely to lead to severe or fatal injuries.

Even when truckers aren’t technically breaking the speed limit, they can still be at fault for driving too fast for weather and road conditions. In New York, this is a form of negligence.

Common Causes of Speeding Truck Accidents

While driver error is often the immediate cause, speeding in the trucking industry is rarely accidental. Tight deadlines and corporate pressure to increase profits can all contribute to reckless behavior on the road. Common factors that can lead to speeding include:

• Unrealistic delivery schedules that encourage speeding.
• Fatigue or distraction leading to misjudged speeds.
• Poorly maintained brakes or tires.
• Inadequate driver training or supervision.
• Lack of enforcement or consequences for drivers who speed.
• Incentive-based pay structures rewarding faster delivery times.
• Driver shortages in the trucking industry, which can lead companies to place too much work on too few drivers.

One thing that often gets overlooked is the stress and mental health struggles that truck drivers face. According to a 2025 study of truck drivers across the country, almost 70% reported high stress levels that affect their driving.

Despite the challenges of being on the road, however, drivers are obligated to follow the rules of the road. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any injuries they cause. In some cases, the trucking company may share responsibility if it knowingly allowed unsafe driving practices or failed to discipline repeat offenders. Our firm investigates your collision to hold all negligent parties accountable.

Proving Negligence in a Speeding Truck Case

Truck accident cases involving speeding may seem straightforward. There are many cameras on our streets today, so you can reasonably expect that a speeding truck may be caught on camera. You may even have a dashcam in your car that catches the dangerous driving of a truck in the seconds before your collision.

Speeding cases involving truck drivers do not always go as smoothly as victims hope. Trucking companies and their insurers often deny wrongdoing and may attempt to shift blame to other drivers. Footage can be disputed, and insurers generally try to pay you less than you may need for your injury-related expenses.

At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we protect your rights and prove negligence by:

• Reviewing black box data (ECM) to determine the truck’s speed and braking activity before impact.
• Obtaining GPS and telematics records to identify route violations or excessive speeds.
• Analyzing driver logbooks for hours-of-service violations or falsified entries.
• Interviewing witnesses and reviewing traffic camera footage.
• Consulting accident reconstruction experts to demonstrate fault.

Our team uses this evidence to build a strong case that shows how speeding caused or contributed to your injuries.

Serious Injuries Caused by Speeding Truck Accidents

Because of their size, trucks traveling at excessive speeds can cause devastating injuries to occupants of smaller vehicles, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
• Spinal cord damage.
• Multiple fractures and crush injuries.
• Amputations.
• Severe burns or disfigurement.
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding.

If you have been in a truck accident where the commercial vehicle was speeding, call 911 or at least get a medical evaluation right away, even if you’re not sure you have been injured. In this type of serious accident, serious injuries are common and adrenaline can mask your initial symptoms. Seeking medical help right away could save your life or prevent serious complications.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

The trucking company’s legal and insurance teams often begin investigating immediately after a crash, sometimes sending representatives to the scene within hours. Waiting too long to speak with an attorney can make it harder to collect critical evidence, such as driver logs, maintenance records, witness statements, and dashcam or surveillance footage.

There’s also the statute of limitations to consider. Consulting with a lawyer promptly ensures your case is filed on time and gives you the best chance at a full recovery.

Preventing Speeding in the Trucking Industry

While truck drivers are responsible for following speed limits, trucking companies also play a major role in preventing these accidents. Federal and state regulations require carriers to monitor driver performance, enforce rest periods, maintain safe vehicles, and take action if drivers or vehicles are unsafe.

There are some initiatives to reduce speeding. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), for example, has an Operation Safe Driver program, which has a mission to help all drivers share the road safely. Part of the program includes awareness campaigns about speeding.

Unfortunately, some companies still pressure drivers to meet unreasonable delivery schedules or fail to use available technology that can prevent speeding, such as GPS tracking and onboard speed limiters. When this happens, companies can and should be held accountable.

Speeding Cars and Truck Accidents

Being hit by a speeding car is often a life-changing event, but it’s not just speeding truck drivers that you need to be concerned about. When passenger cars speed around large trucks, they create conditions that can lead to serious accidents. Trucks need significantly more time and distance to slow down or stop than passenger vehicles. When a speeding car cuts in front of a truck, brakes suddenly, weaves through traffic, or otherwise moves too quickly the truck driver may not have enough space to react safely.

Speeding also reduces visibility and control. Passenger vehicles traveling too fast often linger in a truck’s blind spots or misjudge how long it takes a truck to change lanes, merge, stop, or turn.

How The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel Can Help

With almost 40 years of experience, attorney Mark A. Siesel has represented victims of motor vehicle accidents, DWI-related crashes, traumatic brain injuries, premises liability cases, and serious truck and motorcycle accidents.

Our firm combines a history of success with a personal approach. In every case, we get to know the unique needs of our client, aggressively pursue compensation for that client, but also treat that client with respect and care. When you work with us, we always give you an honest assessment of your situation and explain your rights and options transparently. We keep you updated about your case and while we’re a busy practice, we always have time for you.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a speeding truck accident, contact us today for a free consultation to find out more about how we may be able to help you.