Speeding Is a Factor in Twenty-six Percent of Fatal Accidents

Speeding Is a Factor in Twenty-six Percent of Fatal Accidents Speeding is common. In fact, you may encounter a speeding driver every time you get on the road. Even though this habit has become widely regarded as normal behavior, in truth it is quite deadly. For the past 20 years, speeding has consistently been a factor in almost one-third of all motor vehicle crashes. However, this does not mean there is nothing you can do about this dangerous driving behavior. In this blog post, we explore speeding-related accidents, discussing in detail the dangers of speeding, why people decide to speed, and how you can stay safe on the road.

Speeding Facts: What You Need to Know

In 2018, speeding killed 9,378 individuals, an average of more than 25 people a day, which accounted for 26% of all traffic-related fatalities. A speed-related accident takes place when the driver exceeds the posted speed limit, races, or drives too fast for conditions. Speeding leads to these horrific crashes because excessive speeds reduce:

• The amount of time a motorist has to react in a hazardous situation;
• The ability of safety features to protect the occupants of a car in an accident; and
• The ability to drive safely during bad weather, when it is dark, or when the road is under repair.

Speeding Consequences

Not only is speeding against the law across the country, but it can present major challenges for drivers, such as:

• Making it more likely that the driver will lose control of the vehicle;
• Increasing stopping distance;
• Increasing fuel costs and consumption; and
• Increasing crash severity, which can cause catastrophic injuries or death.

Speeding-Related Accident Injuries

Even though speeding is an everyday activity that many motorists take part in, it is essential to understand that speeding can lead to devastating injuries. These injuries can require long hospital stays and drawn-out recoveries, cause long-term disabilities, and sometimes lead to death from complications. Some of the most common speeding-related accident injuries that can occur include:

• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Head and neck injuries;
• Spinal cord damage;
• Back injuries;
• Internal bleeding;
• Organ damage;
• Limb amputations;
• Whiplash; and
• Deep lacerations.

If you have been involved in a speeding-related car accident and believe your injuries are not that significant, it is still important to be examined by a doctor. Often, serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries do not present immediate symptoms, and they may get worse the longer you wait to get medical treatment. That is why it is vital to get checked over by a doctor as soon as possible following a speeding-related accident. Not only can a doctor provide the care you need, but they will also document your injuries in their medical report. If you decide to file a car accident claim, a medical report provides extremely valuable information regarding your injuries and the extent of your damages. This can be crucial if the insurance company or the defense tries to argue that your injuries resulted from a subsequent event or a pre-existing condition.

Why Do People Speed?

There is no one specific reason why people decide to speed. However, according to National Highway Transportation Safety Administration studies, people speed for four main reasons:

• Running behind: It comes as no surprise that when a driver is running late, they may try to make up lost time by speeding. As a result, they decide to take part in this dangerous and aggressive driving behavior to attempt to get to their next destination on time.
• Traffic: When traffic congestion picks up, motorists are more likely to adopt aggressive driving tactics such as speeding.
• False feeling of protection: In the safety of their own vehicle, drivers often feel shielded from consequences. For some drivers, this leads to speeding or taking part in other dangerous driving behaviors.
• Disregard for the law: Some drivers just do not care about abiding by the laws of the road. They adopt aggressive driving habits because they feel that the law does not apply to them, and they are not worried about the consequences of their speeding or the disasters their driving may cause.

Unfortunately, speeding behavior does not only affect the speeder. In truth, it affects pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and other drivers, leading to potentially deadly consequences for everyone involved.

Get the Legal Help You Need: Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Today

Speeding-related accidents can lead to devastating collisions that can forever change your life. If you are the victim of a speed-related accident, you should not have to go through this tragic ordeal on your own. If another motorist is at fault for your speeding-related crash, you have a right to go after them for compensation for the harm you endured. Fortunately, an experienced car accident attorney can help you take on this fight while you focus on what matters most: your recovery. When you retain a car accident attorney, they can help you:

• Go over your case in detail, understand your claim, and answer any questions you may have;
• Start investigating the accident promptly;
• File any required legal motions and documents;
• Gather critical evidence needed to prove what happened and who was at fault; and
• Fight for the damages you need.

Do not wait any longer. If you or a loved one were injured in a speeding-related accident, contact a skilled and knowledgeable car accident attorney immediately.

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