Speeding is an obvious concern when an 80,000-pound commercial truck is involved in a collision. But what if the truck was going the speed limit?
That does not necessarily mean it was being operated safely.
A commercial driver can obey the posted speed limit and still make decisions that leave too little room to stop, destabilize a trailer, or put another vehicle directly in danger. Mechanical problems, cargo issues, and decisions made by the trucking company can also contribute to a serious collision without excessive speed ever entering the picture.
At Swenson & Shelley, our Salt Lake City truck accident attorneys investigate beyond the speedometer to determine what caused a catastrophic commercial vehicle crash.
A Legal Speed Can Still Be Too Fast for the Conditions
The posted speed limit does not account for every condition a truck driver may encounter.
Snow, ice, rain, construction zones, heavy traffic, steep grades, and limited visibility can require a commercial driver to travel below the posted limit. A speed that might be reasonable on a clear, dry highway could leave a fully loaded tractor-trailer unable to stop safely when conditions deteriorate.
This matters especially on Utah roads, where weather and elevation changes can create rapidly changing driving conditions.
Following Too Closely Leaves Little Room for Error
Large commercial trucks need considerably more room to stop than passenger vehicles. If a truck driver follows traffic too closely, even an attentive driver traveling within the speed limit may not have enough distance to avoid a collision when vehicles ahead slow suddenly.
Following distance matters most in rear-end crashes and chain-reaction collisions.
Investigators may examine dash camera footage, electronic data, witness statements, and other evidence to determine how much space existed between the truck and surrounding traffic before impact.
Turns and Lane Changes Can Put Other Drivers in Danger
Truck drivers must account for their vehicles’ size and configuration when turning or changing lanes.
A poorly executed turn may cause a trailer to swing into another lane or strike a nearby vehicle. Unsafe lane changes can be especially dangerous when a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or bicycle is traveling in an area the truck driver can’t see.
In these crashes, the critical question may have little to do with speed and more with positioning, visibility, and whether the maneuver was safe before the driver began it.
The Problem May Have Started Before the Truck Hit the Road
Not every truck accident begins with a driver’s mistake.
Worn tires, defective brakes, steering problems, inadequate maintenance, or improperly secured cargo can affect how a commercial vehicle responds.
Cargo that shifts during transit may change the truck’s balance or contribute to a rollover. Equipment failures may prevent a driver from stopping or controlling the vehicle as expected.
The investigation may therefore extend beyond the person behind the wheel to the companies responsible for loading, inspecting, maintaining, or repairing the truck.
Trucking Company Decisions Can Also Matter
Commercial trucking operations involve schedules, dispatching, vehicle maintenance, driver supervision, and safety procedures. Depending on the circumstances, decisions made away from the crash scene may matter in determining why the collision occurred.
That is one reason simply reviewing the police report or concluding the truck was not speeding may not provide a complete picture.
Records involving the truck, driver, cargo, maintenance history, electronic systems, and trucking operation may reveal factors not apparent immediately after the collision.
Look Beyond the Speedometer After a Utah Truck Accident
A truck driver does not have to be speeding for a catastrophic collision to involve unsafe conduct or negligence. Understanding what happened may require examining the entire operation leading up to the crash.
If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a Utah truck accident, call Swenson & Shelley at 435-228-7647 or contact us online for a free consultation. Our Utah truck accident attorneys can investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision and determine who may be responsible.
Kevin Swenson is an award-winning Utah injury attorney and co-founding partner of Swenson & Shelley. With over 30 years of experience, he uses his background as a former insurance defense lawyer to fight for injured individuals, helping clients recover and rebuild after serious accidents.
(435) 767-7777
