If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident caused by a speeding driver, you already know how devastating the impact can be. These crashes are not like regular car accidents, and the companies behind those trucks have teams of lawyers ready to limit what they pay you. Porter Law Group has recovered more than $500 million for seriously injured New Yorkers since 2009, and we work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
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Proving a truck was speeding takes more than pointing to a speed limit sign. It requires pulling data from the truck's onboard computer, reviewing electronic logbook records, and understanding how delivery schedules can pressure drivers into driving dangerously fast. Most attorneys do not know how to do this. Porter Law Group does.
Led by Harvard-educated attorney Michael S. Porter, a former U.S. Army JAG Corps Captain with over 20 years of trial experience, our firm retains engineers who extract speed data from the truck's event data recorder, review driver records to see whether the driver was behind schedule, and calculate how far the truck should have stopped versus how far it actually traveled. Seven of eight attorneys at Porter Law Group have been recognized by Super Lawyers, a distinction earned by fewer than 5% of New York attorneys. Our published results include jury verdicts that came in 20x to 34x higher than what the insurance company originally offered.
"The black box tells us exactly how fast the truck was going. When that number is above the speed limit, or above the safe speed for conditions, the case is straightforward. What makes these cases strong is that we also prove why the driver was speeding: the carrier set an unrealistic delivery schedule, the driver was running behind, or the dispatcher pressured the driver to make up time. That carrier responsibility is where the real value of the case comes from." Michael S. Porter, J.D., Porter Law Group
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Speed and trucks are a dangerous combination for one simple reason: the faster a massive vehicle goes, the harder it hits and the farther it needs to stop. A truck traveling 15 mph over the limit does not just hit 15% harder. Because of the physics involved, it actually hits nearly twice as hard, and it needs significantly more road to come to a stop.
The table below shows what this means in real terms for an 80,000-pound truck:
| Truck Speed | Stopping Distance | Impact Force (Relative) | Feet Per Second |
| 45 mph | ~350 feet | 1.0x (baseline) | 66 feet |
| 55 mph | ~420 feet | 1.49x | 81 feet |
| 65 mph | ~525 feet | 1.86x | 95 feet |
| 75 mph | ~645 feet | 2.34x | 110 feet |
| 85 mph | ~780 feet | 2.93x | 125 feet |
In plain terms: a truck going 75 mph is more than twice as dangerous as one going 45 mph. That extra force and stopping distance is often the difference between a close call and a fatal crash. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), speeding is one of the leading factors in fatal large truck crashes nationwide.
FIND OUT WHO IS LIABLE FOR YOUR SPEEDING TRUCK ACCIDENT
Exceeding the posted speed limit is the most straightforward form of speeding. New York's speed limit for commercial trucks on most highways is 55 to 65 mph. A truck traveling at 75 mph on a highway like I-90, I-87, or I-81 needs roughly 645 feet to stop. That is 120 additional feet compared to a truck going 65 mph, and that extra distance is often what causes a rear-end crash that could have been avoided.
Driving too fast for road conditions is just as dangerous, even when a truck is technically under the posted limit. Wet roads, snow, ice, fog, and heavy traffic all require drivers to slow down. In areas around Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester, lake-effect snowstorms can make the safe speed for a loaded truck 30 to 40 mph even when the sign says 65. A truck that jackknifes on ice or tips over on a wet curve was going too fast for conditions, regardless of what the speed limit sign said.
Speeding on curves, ramps, and downgrades is one of the most common causes of truck rollovers. Exit ramps and highway interchange curves have advisory speed signs designed for regular passenger cars, not for vehicles weighing tens of thousands of pounds. When a truck takes a curve too fast, it can tip over and sweep across multiple lanes. On steep downhill stretches, excessive speed can cause brake failure, sending the truck into traffic at uncontrollable speed.
Schedule pressure from the trucking company is the hidden cause behind many speeding crashes. Truck drivers are typically paid by the mile or by the load, not by the hour. When a company sets delivery deadlines that are impossible to meet at legal speeds, it is essentially pushing drivers to speed. When we can show through dispatch records and delivery schedules that the carrier created that pressure, the company itself is responsible for the crash.
The truck driver is directly responsible for driving at an unsafe speed. Whether the driver was over the posted limit or simply going too fast for the road conditions at that time, that is a safety violation that caused your crash.
The trucking company may share responsibility in several ways. Companies control the truck's electronic speed limiter, which caps how fast the vehicle can go. A company that sets that limit too high, or disables it entirely, has made a deliberate decision to allow speeding. Companies that schedule deliveries in a way that makes legal driving impossible are also responsible. Dispatch records, delivery schedules, and speed limiter settings are all evidence we can obtain and use in your case.
New York allows injured victims to recover compensation even when more than one party is at fault, and even when the victim shares some responsibility. This means you may be able to recover from both the driver and the company, and a partial fault finding on your end does not automatically end your case.
The injuries in speeding truck crashes tend to be more severe than in crashes at lower speeds, and that severity directly affects what your case may be worth.
Medical costs including emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment are fully recoverable. For the most serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage, lifetime care costs can be substantial. Every case is different, and the actual value depends on your specific injuries and treatment needs.
Lost income covers wages you missed while recovering, as well as future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to the same work.
Pain and suffering covers the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the crash. New York does not place a limit on this type of compensation.
Wrongful death claims are available when a family member was killed. These cases typically settle in the range of $1 million to $10 million depending on the circumstances.
Punitive damages may apply when the company knowingly allowed dangerous behavior, such as disabling the truck's speed limiter or demanding a schedule that required the driver to break the law.
FIND OUT WHAT YOUR SPEEDING TRUCK ACCIDENT CASE IS WORTH
Porter Law Group's published results include 53 cases at or above $1 million.
$5,700,000 Settlement: A 52-year-old man suffered a lower leg amputation in a commercial trucking accident. The firm established liability through logbook violations and secured a settlement covering his lifetime prosthetic costs and lost earning capacity.$3,400,000 Jury Verdict: A 40-year-old man sustained a traumatic brain injury in a vehicle collision. The insurance company offered $100,000. Porter Law Group secured $3.4 million at trial, a 34x increase over the pre-trial offer.
Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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Accident Talk to our experienced truck accident lawyers and understand all your legal options for recovery in a free, no-obligation consultation.
Standard deadline: 3 years. Most speeding truck accident claims must be filed within 3 years of the crash. However, the truck's event data recorder can overwrite speed data within 30 days, and the trucking company may change the speed limiter settings after the crash to hide evidence. Acting early matters.
Government entities: 90 days. If a missing speed sign, poorly designed curve, or road defect contributed to the crash, a formal notice must be filed within 90 days. Missing this deadline can eliminate your ability to recover from a government entity.
Wrongful death: 2 years. The family has 2 years from the date of death to file. Claims for minors are extended until they reach age 18.
ACT NOW BEFORE YOUR DEADLINE EXPIRES
1. Call 911 and stay at the scene. Ask the officer to document the truck's speed, skid mark lengths, and any damage consistent with a high-speed impact. Make sure the officer notes the trucking company's name and the truck's DOT number.
2. Photograph everything. Take photos of skid marks (length indicates how fast the truck was going), the damage to all vehicles, road conditions, speed limit signs, and any advisory signs on curves or ramps.
3. Get medical attention within 24 hours. High-speed truck crashes can cause serious internal injuries, brain injuries, and spinal damage that do not always feel severe right away. A same-day medical record is important for your case.
4. Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company. Their insurance adjusters are trained to use your words against you. Let your attorney handle all communication.
5. Contact a truck accident lawyer right away. An attorney can immediately send a legal letter demanding the trucking company preserve the truck's speed data, electronic logbook records, and dispatch communications before they are deleted or altered. Porter Law Group offers free consultations and works on a contingency-fee basis.
Porter Law Group represents speeding truck accident victims throughout New York State. Whether your crash happened on a major highway upstate, a congested route in the city, or a local road anywhere in between, our team handles claims in every county and jurisdiction across New York.
Headquartered in Syracuse with offices statewide, we serve clients in:
Syracuse |New York City |Buffalo |Rochester |Albany
Yonkers | White Plains | Utica | Binghamton | Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties)
No matter where in New York your truck accident occurred, Porter Law Group provides free consultations and handles cases on a contingency-fee basis statewide. Call (833) PORTER-9 to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer who understands the roads, trucking routes, and local courts in your area.
Settlements typically range from $100,000 for moderate injuries to over $5 million for catastrophic cases, and wrongful death claims regularly exceed $2 million. The higher speed of the truck at the time of impact tends to produce more severe injuries, which in turn drives higher settlement values. Your specific case value depends on your injuries, medical costs, lost income, and the insurance coverage available.
The truck's event data recorder, sometimes called a black box, captures the exact speed at the moment of impact. Additional evidence includes the driver's electronic logbook showing whether they were behind schedule, skid mark measurements at the scene, and the truck's electronic speed limiter settings showing what maximum speed the company allowed.
Yes. If the company set a delivery schedule that was impossible to meet at legal speeds, or if they set the truck's speed limiter too high or disabled it entirely, the company bears direct responsibility for the crash. These are corporate decisions that put other people in danger, and we hold companies accountable for them.
The standard deadline is 3 years from the date of the crash. However, certain evidence like the truck's speed data can be deleted within 30 days. If a government entity was involved (such as a poorly maintained road or missing sign), there is a 90-day notice requirement. Wrongful death claims carry a 2-year deadline. Contacting a lawyer quickly protects your right to recover.
Porter Law Group works on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we recover compensation for you. The firm covers all costs for evidence investigation, engineering analysis, and litigation. If the case does not result in a recovery, you owe nothing.
Founder and managing partner of Porter Law Group. Harvard University (B.A., 1994), Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., 1997). Former U.S. Army JAG Corps Captain, Airborne Training School graduate. Super Lawyers 14 consecutive years, 10.0 Superb on Avvo, Distinguished rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Over 20 years of trial experience and $500 million in recoveries.
Speeding truck accidents cause some of the most severe injuries on New York roads, and the evidence that proves a truck was going too fast can disappear within days. Contact Porter Law Group at (833) PORTER-9 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay nothing unless you win.
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