Many people push the speed limit as much as possible, trying to shave off a few minutes from their drive. Doing so may not be safe to do, and when speeding accidents happen, they often create serious outcomes. If you were hurt in an accident in which the other driver was speeding, they may be responsible for any losses you have. Our Charleston car accident attorney at Salango Law can help you navigate this process.
Call (304) 342-0512 today to schedule a free consultation with an expert lawyer.
Why Speeding Accidents Are So Devastating
Speeding accidents carry a significant amount of risk to them. Even a few miles over the legally posted limit could put others at risk of serious injury. Consider some of the most common outcomes when speeding accidents occur:
- Inability to control the vehicle: Fast-moving vehicles react very differently to even small movements of the wheel by the driver. If the driver makes any mistake, including reacting to changing road conditions, the vehicle’s speed will enhance the movement, often leading to highly dangerous movements.
- Less time to react: A driver may have a much more challenging time changing the direction of a fast-moving car. These rates of speed can significantly reduce a person’s reaction time when a hazard becomes obvious. That ball in the road, for example, is not obvious until there is very little time to react to it.
- The speed enhances the force of impact: When impact with anything occurs, the speeding vehicle will likely experience much more damage.
Speeding drivers are often overconfident. Just because it seems easy to drive a car at a higher rate of speed does not mean it is safe to do so. When you couple speed with other risks, such as distracted driving, fatigue, or intoxication from drugs or alcohol, the risk of serious losses is much higher.
Common Injuries in Speeding Accidents
Data shared by the National Safety Council indicates that 29% of all fatalities in car crashes in 2022 involved speed. This led to 33 people a day dying, or 12,151 people during the course of the year, because of speeding drivers. Some of the most common injuries in such accidents are often life-threatening. They include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Complex bone fractures and crushing accidents
- Spinal cord injuries, including those that lead to paralysis
- Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding from the impact
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Lacerations and amputations
It is critical to remember that the rate of speed causes more force when impact happens. That means more damage to bodily components, including tissues and bones. The injuries are not only more extensive, but they are often far more likely to cause death. If you or a loved one was in an accident that significantly or permanently affected your spine, do not hesitate to contact a Charleston spinal cord injury attorney today to get the compensation you deserve.
What You Can Do After Speeding Accidents Cause Your Injuries
If you were involved in an accident in which you believe the other driver was speeding, you may be able to pursue compensation for any injuries or other losses you have. To do this, consider the following:
- Document what you remember seeing before the accident. That could offer insight into whether the driver was speeding.
- Capture all witness statements to back up your claims of speeding.
- Work with an attorney who will use accident reconstruction experts to help pursue a recreation of your case.
By taking these steps after speeding accidents, you may be able to protect your right to compensation for your losses. Contact Salango Law at (304) 342-0512 to discuss your case with our legal team.