Car accidents at any speed can be dangerous, but when high speeds are involved, the consequences can be devastating. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2020 and has been a factor in nearly 1/3 of all fatal accidents each year for decades.
There are many reasons why people choose to speed. Some people are simply in a hurry and want to get to their destination as quickly as possible. Others may be trying to make up for lost time or may be engaging in risky behaviors like street racing. Whatever the reason, speeding is a dangerous choice that puts everyone on the road at risk.
The reason why someone else chose to speed probably doesn’t matter much to you if you’re involved in an accident with them. What really matters is that you get the medical care and compensation you deserve for their reckless decision to ignore speed limits.
Contact Wattel & York For a Free Consultation About Your Speeding Car Accident Case Today
Speeding car accidents can have devastating consequences. If you or a loved one has been injured in such an accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Wattel & York can help. We have represented many victims of speeding accidents and know what it takes to get results. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you recover and move on with your life.
What Makes Speeding So Dangerous?
Speeding increases the force of impact in a crash and makes it more likely that serious injuries will occur. When drivers speed, they have less time to react to traffic changes and are more likely to lose control of their vehicle. Braking distances also increase when a driver speeds.
In addition, speeding makes it more difficult for other drivers to avoid a collision. If someone is speeding and rear-ends another car, the victim may not have time to brake or take evasive action. This can result in a serious or even fatal accident.
Speed limits are designed to keep everyone on the road safe. When drivers choose to ignore them, they are putting themselves and others at risk.
How to Prove That Speeding Caused Your Accident
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a speeding driver, there are a few things that you’ll need to do to prove that their speeding was the cause of the accident. First, you’ll need to obtain a copy of the police report. This will usually contain the officer’s findings regarding the cause of the accident.
In addition, you’ll need to gather any evidence that you have to support your claim. This may include eyewitness testimony, dashcam footage, or video footage from nearby security cameras. You’ll also need to obtain the speeding driver’s insurance information so that you can file a claim with their insurance company.
When speed is a factor in a crash, there is typically additional forensic evidence available such as tire tracks, skid marks, or telltale damage to the vehicles involved. An experienced accident reconstructionist may be able to review this evidence and provide an opinion as to the speeds involved in the crash.
Ultimately, the hope is that the at-fault driver is honest about their speeding and accepts responsibility for the accident. However, even if they do not admit to speeding, the evidence collected by you and your attorney can be used to prove that they were speeding at the time of the accident.
Seeking Fair Compensation For a Speeding Accident Claim
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a speeding driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. This can include money for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The amount of compensation that you’re entitled to will depend on the severity of your injuries and the facts of your case, but the amount of money you are offered has more to do with the insurance company’s willingness to pay what is fair.
That’s why it’s important to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. Wattel & York has represented many victims of speeding accidents and knows how to get results. We’ll fight for the maximum compensation that you’re entitled to and make sure that the insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you.
Types of Damages In a Speeding Car Accident Claim
There are a few different types of damages that you may be entitled to in a speeding car accident claim. These can include:
Medical Bills
If you’ve been injured in a speeding car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills. This can include money for hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and more.
Lost Wages
If your injuries have prevented you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages. This can include money for the time you’ve missed from work as well as any future earnings that you may lose as a result of your injuries.
Pain and Suffering
You may also be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering that you’ve endured as a result of your injuries. This can include money for emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, and more.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, the court may also award punitive damages. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer for their actions and deter others from engaging in similar behavior. Punitive damages are handled differently than other damages, and only a judge or jury can award these. Your attorney will never include these damages in calculations for your claim, and will never request these damages in negotiations.
Contact Wattel & York Today
If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a speeding car accident, contact Wattel & York today. We’ll review your case for free and help you understand your legal options. Call us now at 877-572-4143 or fill out our online form to get started. We have helped more than 25,000 clients and have won millions in out-of-court settlements and lawsuit awards. This experience has given us the skills and resources necessary to get results. Let us put our experience to work for you.
