As we have discussed previously, the results of an accident involving a large commercial vehicle in Texas can be devastating. Having smaller cars hit with 18-wheelers or other heavy trucks is a recipe for disaster, especially at highway speeds. Because many of these types of accidents can cause death or serious injuries, some believe it is necessary to place further regulations of commercial trucks, including devices that limit their speeds.
One such person is a Texas woman who was involved in a truck accident in August. In her case, a truck rear-ended her vehicle, creating a chain reaction that affected five cars. She has been unable to work ever since, due to pain in her back, neck and arms. Not only has she faced medical expenses due to the accident, she has also lost a source of income. She notes that there is a proposal with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), to require the installation of devices to cap the speed of vehicles over a certain weight.
These proposed devices could be set to limit the speed on new trucks to 60, 65 or 68 miles per hour. The reasoning behind this is that vehicles, especially those as large as commercial trucks, become harder to control and stop at higher speeds. Therefore, when accidents do occur, a lower speed collision is generally safer for those involved. Not everyone agrees this is the right solution, however. Some drivers say that such a limitation will create more accidents as truck drivers will not be able to match other vehicles’ speeds when, for instance, merging onto a highway.
Even if such devices are approved, there will inevitably still be truck accidents in Texas. Those who have been injured or have had a love one killed in such a crash may wish to consider exploring their legal options for compensation.
Source: kxan.com, “Manor woman joins call for ‘speed limiters’ on big rigs after crash,” Lauren Lanmon, Oct. 14, 2016
