Are High Speed Limits Contributing to Tractor-Trailer Accidents?

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Cook County personal injury lawyer

According to statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are approximately 4,000 fatal tractor-trailer crashes in this country annually. Another 95,000 victims are seriously injured in truck accidents. The number of tractor-trailer accidents increases every year.

One of the main causes of tractor-trailer accidents is speeding. A federal investigation recently suggested that most of the tires that are on these vehicles are not designed for the constant high speeds at which truck drivers are often traveling.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) found that, although there are several tires that are rated at 81 mph, the majority of tractor-trailer tires are rated at 75 mph. However, there are 16 states in this country which have passed speed limits of up to or more than 75 mph. Three states - Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming -  have even approveed speed limits of 80 mph. The maximum speed limit in Texas speed is 85 mph. Unfortunately, many tractor-trailer drivers are exceeding even these high limits, causing serious safety issues and the high risk of rollovers and tire blowouts.

Illinois lawmakers have set the state’s speed limit at 70 mph on rural freeways and interstates. This is above the limit recommended by the American Trucking Association (ATA), which says that no truck should be traveling over 65 mph. A spokesperson for the ATA says that even just five miles per hour less can make a big difference when it comes to operating safety issues, such as the amount of time it takes for a big rig to stop when the brakes are applied.

The speed limit on Illinois’ urban freeways and interstates is 65 mph; however, it is important to note that many tractor-trailer trucks are traveling through several states, often in the same day. This means that their routes frequently include a number of states with higher than recommended speed limits.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a tractor-trailer, contact an experienced Cook County personal injury attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have against the truck driver and/or the transport company. Call Issa Law, LLC at 708-966-2408 for a free consultation.