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The Dangers of Speeding

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in

car driving fastMany drivers exceed the speed limit when driving. This common occurrence is very dangerous to others, because it increases the risk of an accident that could result in severe injuries or death.

The Sacramento car accident attorneys from the Arnold Law Firm may be able to help you recover compensation if you have been injured in a speeding accident. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.

Speeding Statistics

In 2015 alone, speeding was responsible for 9,557 deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Speed was a factor in 27 percent of fatal crashes in 2015 and about one third of all vehicle fatalities for the past two decades.

NHTSA statistics show that in 2014, speeding contributed to the deaths of:

  • 5,933 drivers
  • 1,835 passengers
  • 1,136 occupants of other vehicles
  • 314 pedestrians
  • 46 bicyclists

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), passenger vehicles were involved in an overwhelming 76.5 percent of speeding-related fatal accidents in 2014.

Speeding Increases Accident Risk

Speeding can dramatically increase your risk of an accident because it affects driving in a variety of ways, including:

  • Increases the likelihood of losing control of your vehicle
  • Reduces reaction time
  • Reduces the effectiveness of car safety equipment
  • Increases necessary stopping distance once a danger is identified

Speeding is even more dangerous in poor weather conditions. If you are driving in rain, snow or ice, you need more time when making stops and adjusting to hazards. Speeding can also increase the severity of a crash and the resulting injuries. The more severe the injuries, the greater the psychological and economic effects from the accident.

Common Reasons Drivers Speed

There are many reasons drivers exceed the speed limit, such as:

  • Time — Running late for work, class, appointments and other commitments
  • Age — Drivers who are 29 and younger are at a higher risk of being in a speed-related crash.
  • Distracted driving — Drivers are not watching their speed while texting or talking on the phone.
  • Drunk driving — Driving under the influence impairs judgement and often results in drivers engaging in risky behaviors, such as speeding.
  • Thrill — Some drivers say speeding is exciting, without consider the dangers.
  • Traffic — Drivers may speed when making up time lost to traffic delays.

How a Lawyer Can Help After an Accident

Speeding is a reckless choice that puts all motorists in harm’s way. If you were injured in an accident caused by a speeding driver, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

A skilled car accident attorney can assist you as you pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at fault driver. Your lawyer will gather the evidence necessary to support your claim that the other driver was speeding and attempt to maximize the compensation you receive.

Contact Our Lawyers Now

The personal injury attorneys at the Arnold Law Firm will pursue at fault drivers to recover the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We know how to gather the right evidence to support claims of speeding and link your injuries to the accident to help secure the compensation you deserve.

Learn the legal options available in your situation by scheduling a free, no-obligation case consultation with our firm. We work on contingency, so legal fees are only owed if we recover compensation for your injuries.

Call (916) 777-7777 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation form now.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.