Accidents are an unfortunate result of sharing roadways, and one that even the most careful of drivers cannot adequately prepare for. You can drive the posted speed limit, wear your seatbelt, make appropriate usage of mirrors and turn signals, and still end up in a life-changing accident due to the negligence and recklessness of other drivers. Speeding is one of the most common causes of accidents on roadways, and one that increases the risk of injury and damage with increased speed. Accidents that occur at high speeds are particularly dangerous and often result in multi-car accidents or life-threatening injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as the result of a speeding driver, you may be entitled to compensation to help you through the financial, physical, and emotional burdens that come with such accidents. Here at Evans Moore, LLC, our dedicated team of Georgetown speeding accidents attorneys is passionate about providing our clients with the utmost care and fighting for the full compensation they deserve in their most trying time.
Many drivers mistakenly think that speeding is a harmless way to avoid being late to work. It saves time going from point A to point B, right?
Some think that the greatest danger of speeding is a ticket. They don’t think about how it affects their reaction time, their ability to stop their vehicle, or their risk for causing a collision. Even modest speeding greatly impacts driving safety.
Reaction time is one of the most important aspects of driving safely. Driver reaction time measures f how long it takes a driver to react to a situation, or event, such as how long it takes a driver to notice and respond to a stalled vehicle on the road.
A typical motorist reacts within .5 to 1.5 seconds. That range assumes the driver is paying complete attention to the road. The faster the vehicle’s speed, the more distance it will travel during the driver’s reaction time. A higher speed means a longer braking distance, or how far the car travels before it comes to a complete stop.
In a best-case scenario, with a driver paying attention to their task on a dry road with good visibility, a car traveling 65 miles per hour will take an average of 344 feet before coming to a complete stop. That’s longer than the length of a football field traveled in a manner of seconds!
But remember that these numbers reflect ideal weather conditions and a focused driver. Factor in a distracted driver, wet pavement, and a speeding car, and both reaction time and braking distance greatly increase. This means that a speeding car is at an increased risk of causing a car crash when they can’t stop in time to avoid hitting another vehicle, pedestrian, or object on the road.
In addition to increasing reaction time and braking distance, speeding increases the chances of a collision in other ways. Drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicles when speeding, especially during turns and curves. Speeding disrupts the flow of traffic, so it can cause other cars on the road to crash. Perhaps most damagingly, a faster vehicle hits with much more force than a slower moving vehicle, which means that speeding leads to more destructive and potentially deadly accidents.
Speeding, while common, is not harmless. If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by a speeding vehicle, you are the victim of someone’s negligent and irresponsible behavior. You can seek fair compensation for the damage they caused.
It is estimated that speeding is a factor in 30 percent of all fatal automobile crashes. In just one year, 2018, speeding accidents killed over 9,000 people. To put that number in perspective, this means that speeding accidents kill over 25 people per day. It’s a grim statistic that highlights just how serious and lethal speeding accidents are.
While all driving demographics speed, some are more prone to speeding and likely to be involved in speeding accidents than others. In general, younger males tend to speed more and are more likely to be involved in fatal speeding car crashes.
Age plays in factor as well. According to the National Safety Council, both males and females between the ages of 15 and 20 are involved in the highest percentage of fatal car crashes where speeding played a role. Overall, people aged 15 to 34 are at the greatest risk of fatal car accidents caused by speeding.
Speeding doesn’t just kill. Because of the laws of physics, a fast-moving car hits with more force and causes more damage than a slower moving one. Faster speeds cause drivers to suffer severe whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, and long-term debilitating injuries like paralysis. Speeding turns what could have been minor fender benders into collisions that irreparably changes victims’ lives.
If you are involved in a car accident, it’s important to take the right steps to both protect your safety and make sure you have the means to hold the at-fault parties responsible. After a car crash, it’s a good idea to do the following.
Given the scope and severity of these types of accidents, cases involving speeding should be treated with the gravity they deserve. Our experienced legal team is well-versed in a number of speeding accident situations, including accidents involving:
Speeding may be a factor in any number of accident types, so even if you do not see your specific case listed above, you may still be entitled to compensation. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your case, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Speeding contributes to a striking number of car accidents and can wreak havoc on the lives of their victims. Medical bills, surgeries, physical immobility, lost time working, and emotional trauma can all result from these types of accidents and incur considerable costs. Here at Evans Moore, LLC, we understand the difficulties that these accidents present and are dedicated to providing effective and compassionate legal care. If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment with one of our qualified Georgetown speeding accidents lawyers, please contact us at (843) 995-5000 today.
Evans Moore, LLC
121 Screven Street
Georgetown, SC 29440
635 East Bay Street
Suite F
Charleston, SC 29403
