Speed kills: about 30% of traffic fatalities nationwide involve at least one driver who was speeding, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Still, a significant percentage of U.S. drivers speed on a regular basis. Nearly half of respondents to a 2016 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey admitted that they had exceeded the speed limit by at least 15 miles per hour on a freeway or 10 miles per hour on a residential street in the previous month. An earlier study published by the NHTSA revealed that 72% of free-flow traffic on freeways and interstates exceeded the posted speed limit.
Speeding in Texas contributed to 2,895 accidents in 2016, 263 of which involved fatalities. Unfortunately, this widespread disregard for posted speed limits puts other drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians at risk.
Tragic Houston Car Accident Illustrates the Danger of Speeding
Although most people understand that speeding is dangerous in theory, many drivers simply don’t take the risks seriously enough. The tragic multi-car crash on Beltway 8 that claimed the lives of a father and two children earlier this year drives home what’s at stake.
Traffic on the Beltway slowed due to construction, and the driver of a light truck was traveling too fast to adapt. Police at the scene said that alcohol did not appear to be involved, and the 300-foot skid marks leading up to the crash site make it clear that the driver noticed the slow-down and attempted to stop. He simply couldn’t stop in time. His car collided with and crushed Heywood Freeman’s passenger car, pushing it into the vehicle in front of it and triggering a chain reaction involving seven vehicles.
Liability in Speeding-Related Car Accidents
Proving liability for a car accident involves demonstrating that the defendant was negligent and that his or her negligence caused the accident and resulting injury. Speeding is one more factor that a jury may consider in determining who was acting negligently. Speeding increases the risk of a motor vehicle accident in many ways, including:
- Decreasing the likelihood that the driver will have time to stop if another vehicle slows or stops in front of him
- Making it more difficult for the driver to avoid debris in the road and other fixed obstacles
- Diminishing the time another vehicle has to see the oncoming vehicle and take evasive action
- Making it more difficult to maintain control of the vehicle.
That’s why even small increases in speed can increase the likelihood of an accident.
Talk to an Experienced Lawyer
If you have been injured by a speeding driver or have lost a loved one in a speed-related automobile accident, your next step should be to consult an attorney experienced in car-accident-related personal injury claims and wrongful death claims. The sooner you get knowledgeable guidance, the more likely you are to avoid costly errors, loss of evidence, and other events that can harm your case and make it more difficult to recover fair compensation.
You can get started right now by calling (713) 932-0777 or filling out the contact form on this page to schedule a free consultation.
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