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Truck Accidents Caused by Speeding During the Pandemic

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately one-third of traffic fatalities that occurred during the past two decades were due to speeding. When you couple speeding with a vehicle that weighs upwards of 80,000 pounds, the results will likely be disastrous. And now, speeding by truck drivers may cause even more truck crashes due to the pandemic and supply chain issues. Below, our Chicago truck accident lawyers discuss the dangers of speeding by truck drivers and how the pandemic has made the situation worse.

An Analysis of Pandemic-Induced Lack of Drivers

For years, the trucking industry has been grappling with a chronic lack of drivers. The job is difficult, often involving many hours on the road away from drivers’ families. The pay isn’t always great, and the demands can be daunting.  It can be tedious and lead to various medical conditions. These factors make it difficult to select a career as a truck driver and to continue it.

The U.S. has been struggling with a chronic lack of drivers for years, but the shortage reached extreme levels due to the pandemic, which simultaneously sent demand for shipped goods soaring.

Additionally, some truckers were unable to return to work or retired early. There is higher demand for products and fewer trucks and truck drivers to meet it. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that over 70 percent of American freight is currently transported by big trucks. Approximately 15.5 million trucks are on the road today. Federal hours of service rules limit the number of hours that truck drivers can drive continuously before they are required to take mandatory breaks.

How Supply Chain Issues Impact This Problem 

Ongoing supply chain issues are further exacerbating these issues. The U.S. supply is under tremendous stress. There is a general lack of available products. With so many delays, when products are finally available, recipients may be impatient about getting them. Trucking companies are paid by the load. Both of these situations lead to pressures being imposed on truck drivers to meet the demands. This can lead them to speeding and taking other safety shortcuts. 

Need an Illinois Truck Accident Lawyer? Contact Salvi Schostok & Pritchard Today 

If you or a loved one was injured in a crash caused by a speeding truck driver, a Chicago truck accident attorney from Salvi Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help. We can collect evidence to establish speeding contributed to the crash through police reports, truck black boxes, witness statements, and truck logbooks. We have recovered more than $1.6 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients and are prepared to fight just as hard for you. Contact us today for your free consultation.

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