Every motorist has witnessed another driver speeding past them at an alarming rate, making their own speed appear slow, even while driving the speed limit. Fortunately, most of these encounters end without incident. But what if a dangerous speeding driver causes you to have a car accident? What are your rights if you or your loved one becomes the victim of an accident caused by a speeding driver? An experienced Carrollton car accident attorney can help you evaluate your case and strategize the best way forward for maximum compensation.
How Does Speeding Cause Car Accidents?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding caused or contributed to nearly 12,000 car accident fatalities in 2024. The number of a vehicle’s tire rotations per second increases with speed. Excessive speed doesn’t allow time for tire traction to adequately “grip” the road’s surface, sometimes resulting in loss of control. The sudden loss of control causes an accident, often involving other vehicles. In addition, speeding causes a vehicle to take longer to come to a stop when the driver brakes.
The most common types of car accidents caused by speeding drivers include the following:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Sideswipes
- Collisions with obstacles
- Rollover accidents
- Roadway departures
- Pedestrian accidents
The faster a vehicle travels, the less stable it becomes when navigating curves or making sudden maneuvers, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
Speeding Also Increases the Severity of Injuries In Car Accidents In Carrollton
Crash force data shows that the force of an accident increases substantially with higher speed. Simple calculations reveal that a 100-pound person becomes a 3,000-pound force in a collision at 30 miles per hour. When that same collision occurs at 65 miles per hour, the motorist becomes a 6,500-pound force. During a crash, three collisions occur. First, there is the initial collision. Then, the collision of the motorist with the seatbelt or car interior as the crash propels the body forcefully forward and then snaps it back. Finally, there is the collision of the organs with the body cavities and bones during the crash.
The faster the speed at the time of an accident, the more severe the injuries in both the speeding car and any other car the speeder collides with.
Proving Liability for A Carrollton Speeding Accident Claim
After an accident, the insurance companies of the involved drivers investigate to determine the cause of the accident and each driver’s percentage of fault. An injury victim’s attorney conducts an independent investigation. The police report, eyewitness testimony, and evidence from the scene help determine how the accident occurred, including which driver was exceeding the speed limit.
Evidence of liability must show that the at-fault party had a duty of reasonable care, breached their duty, and the breach of duty directly caused the accident. Finally, the accident victim must show that they suffered damages from the injury with a calculated list of their total medical expenses, lost earnings, and potential future income loss.
How Can a Carrollton Speeding Accident Lawyer Help My Case?
A driver who causes an accident due to negligently disregarding the speed limit is liable for damages they’ve inflicted on others, including property damage and injury expenses, as well as compensation for pain and suffering. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not on your side. Instead, they may protect their profits at your expense by assigning you undue fault for the accident or using other tactics against you.
Call or contact GreeningLaw, P.C. to learn how a Carrollton car accident lawyer can defend your rights and safeguard your best interests throughout the process of your claim.