Our New Orleans car accident attorneys have discussed distracted driving accidents and DUI accidents in the first two blogs in our Driving Behaviors series. In our third blog, we are discussing speeding accidents. If a driver injures you while speeding, you could sustain catastrophic injuries. It is important that you take steps to ensure you can recover full compensation for your injuries. We discuss that and other topics related to speeding accidents in part three.
How Often Do Speeding Drivers Cause Accidents?
During 2017, speeding drivers caused roughly 26 percent of the traffic fatalities. It is estimated that 9,717 individuals were killed that year in speed-related accidents in the United States. Over the past two decades, speeding was involved in about one-third of traffic fatalities.
Drivers in Louisiana in 2018 were involved in thousands of accidents in which speed was a factor. Four hundred thirty (430) drivers were cited for exceeding the posted speed limit that year, and another 864 drivers were cited with exceeding safe speed limits. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to estimate the exact speed a vehicle was traveling without experts and accident reconstructionists. Therefore, this estimate could be lower than the reported numbers.
What are the Consequences of Exceeding Safe Speed Limits?
Speed limits are established to help drivers avoid accidents. When a driver exceeds the posted speed limit, the driver is placing himself and others in danger. According to the NHTSA, a few of the consequences of speeding include:
- The driver has an increased risk of losing control of the vehicle;
- Safety equipment designed to protect occupants are not as effective at greater speeds;
- The vehicle travels a greater distance before it stops after the driver recognizes a danger;
- Crashes lead to more severe injuries because of an increased degree of crash severity;
- Economic implications can be greater for accidents involving speed; and,
- A vehicle’s fuel consumption increases with greater speeds.
If you notice a speeding driver, the best way to avoid an accident is to let the driver pass and place distance between your vehicle and the other vehicle. However, for drivers who cannot avoid an accident with a speeding driver, the consequences can be severe.
Consequences for the Accident Victims
The consequences for individuals injured in speeding accidents is also great. Because of the risk of catastrophic injuries in speeding accidents, many accident victims sustain life-threatening or disabling injuries. A person injured in a speed-related accident could suffer a lifetime of chronic pain, ongoing medical expenses, and the need for personal care.
Common injuries in speeding accidents include:
- Compound fractures and broken bones
- Paralysis and spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and other brain injuries
- Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs
- Severe scarring and disfigurement
- Amputations and severe burns
The cost of a speeding accident can be substantial for a victim and the victim’s family. Filing an insurance claim and demanding full compensation of all damages can help offset the financial hardship caused by a speeding driver.
Proving Fault for a Speeding Accident With the Help of a New Orleans Car Accident Attorney
A driver may be ticketed for speeding, but that does not guarantee that the insurance provider will accept liability. You must have evidence to prove that the speeding driver caused the collision. Our NOLA speeding accident attorneys have extensive experiencing investigating accident claims. We can help you build a strong case claiming full compensation for your injuries, losses, and damages.
Contact Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm by telephone at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to schedule a free legal consultation with a New Orleans car accident lawyer.