What Is the California Truck Speed Limit?

The maximum truck speed limit in California is 55 mph for vehicles weighing over 4,000 pounds or containing three or more axles. The California Vehicle Code imposes this critical safety measure to reduce the rate of semi-truck accidents. Unfortunately, truck drivers faced with tight deadlines often ignore these speed limits to make it to their destination on time, creating the potential for catastrophic accidents.

The Barnes Firm is committed to holding negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for accidents and advocating for those harmed by their actions. If you were injured by a big rig that violated the commercial vehicle speed limit, our trusted truck accident attorneys can help you pursue compensation and get the best result possible.

Understanding Speed Limits for Semi-Trucks in California

California’s 55 mph truck speed limit is intended to reduce potential destruction caused by big rigs and semi-trucks. In a collision, a speeding 80,000-pound truck will demolish any smaller vehicle. Large trucks also take a longer distance to brake than other vehicles, and their higher centers of gravity increase the risk of rollover accidents.

Semi-truck accidents are often fatal and can leave survivors with severe injuries, including lifelong disabilities. The Barnes Firm is knowledgeable about the common types of truck accidents in CA, and our attorneys are deeply experienced in helping truck accident victims recover compensation for their injuries.

Exceptions to California’s Truck Speed Limits

While semi trucks and any vehicle towing a camper, trailer, or other car are generally required to follow the California truck speed limit, some exceptions apply. Working with a knowledgeable lawyer who understands the following exceptions is critical for ensuring your rights are protected:

• Engineering and Traffic Surveys, or E&TS: Traffic engineers will sometimes conduct surveys to determine which speed limits are safest and most reasonable for specific roadways. These surveys can result in limits above or below the default speed for that road type.
• Snow and Ice Conditions: Severe weather conditions, especially the presence of snow or ice, can lead traffic authorities to post or declare lower temporary speed limits. Drivers must follow these reduced speed limits even if the posted limit is higher.
• Work Zones: Authorities can establish Temporary Traffic Control, or TTC, zones to reduce speed limits during construction or maintenance work. These temporary limits are clearly marked and work to protect both workers and drivers.

Understanding these speed limit exceptions is important for protecting motorists. The Barnes Firm’s in-depth knowledge of California’s complex trucking laws and exceptions helps us effectively advocate for truck accident victims and help them secure the best possible outcomes.

Types of Injuries Caused by Speeding Commercial Trucks

Truck accidents tend to cause more severe injuries than those between two or more passenger cars due to a truck’s size. A truck collision can also cause lifelong injuries. Therefore, speaking with an experienced truck accident attorney at The Barnes Firm enhances your chances of receiving fair compensation.

Here are some common injuries resulting from truck accidents:

• Brain injuries: If you’re lucky, a truck accident may only cause a mild concussion or bruising. However, you could also suffer other severe injuries, including traumatic brain injury, brain hemorrhage, or stroke.
• Burns: Due to the forceful impact of a truck collision, there’s a high chance that the fuel tank will explode. The fire can quickly spread, engulfing the truck and surrounding vehicles. As a result, the driver and other road users can suffer severe burns.
• Internal injuries: Besides fractured bones, truck accident victims often suffer internal injuries, including torn or crushed blood vessels.

Other common injuries include neck injuries, lacerations, broken bones, amputation, disfigurement, and spinal cord injuries.

Why Truck Drivers Must Follow Speed Limits for Safety

Going over California’s big rig speed limit severely impairs a semi-truck driver’s ability to react to hazards, raising their chances of jackknifing, rolling over, or causing a devastating full-speed collision.

Truck drivers are legally, professionally, and ethically required to abide by the state’s commercial vehicle speed limit. Speeding in a semi-truck is a massive risk to public safety and a violation of the driver’s duty of care to others. When truck drivers fail to uphold their duty, our experienced attorneys will hold them accountable for any harm they cause through their negligence.

Injured By a Speeding Truck? Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers Today

If you’ve sustained a truck accident injury, you may face mounting medical bills, pain, and inability to work or enjoy life. You deserve compensation to aid your recovery.

The Barnes Firm has highly knowledgeable truck accident lawyers who can fight for the compensation you deserve. We take a client-first approach backed by over 500 years of combined legal experience.

Contact us online or call (800) 800-0000 for a free case evaluation.

Richard Barnes – President of The Barnes Firm

Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

Years of Experience: 30+ years
LinkedIn Profile: Richard Barnes