Percentage of Car Accidents Caused by Speeding

According to research from AAA, 45 percent of drivers report going 10 mph over the speed limit on a residential street in the last 30 days. Another 11 percent report doing this on a regular basis. With so many drivers ignoring speed limits, it’s no wonder that speeding is a major cause of car accidents. Speeding also tends to exacerbate injuries in crashes, leaving drivers and passengers badly hurt and facing significant financial losses.

If you’ve been involved in a crash with a driver who was speeding, call the California car accident attorneys at Demas Law Group. For more than 25 years, our personal injury lawyers have been helping car accident victims get justice after devastating crashes. Get your free initial consultation by calling our Sacramento office or contacting us online.

Statistics on Speeding and Car Crashes

Researchers have done extensive studies on the correlation between speeding and car accidents. Their findings are striking. Here are a few key statistics:

• Speeding was a factor in 26 percent of all car accident fatalities nationwide in one recent year, according to the National Safety Council.
• The National Safety Council also reported that 9,478 people died in speeding-related accidents that year.
• 9,478 deaths in a single year equate to roughly 25 deaths from speeding-related crashes every day across the U.S.
• Speeding was the primary factor in 32 percent of all crashes statewide involving a fatality or injury, according to the California Highway Patrol.

How Speeding Causes Crashes and Worsens Injuries

Speeding increases a driver’s chances of being involved in an accident because the faster a vehicle is moving, the harder it is to control. Vehicles often handle differently at high speeds, making it harder for the driver to maintain control. In the event of a sudden emergency on the road, a speeding driver also has less time and space to react. These factors make it harder for drivers to avoid a collision.

In addition to making crashes more likely, speeding tends to exacerbate the injuries in an accident. The laws of physics tell us that the faster something is moving, the more force it hits when it collides with another object. Physics also tells us that heavier objects hit with more force than lighter objects. So, when you have a speeding, multi-ton vehicle barreling down an interstate, it can cause catastrophic injuries if a crash occurs.

Speeding-Related Collisions Cause Catastrophic and Fatal Injuries

Here are a few examples of the catastrophic and fatal injuries that can occur in speeding-related collisions:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – There are two main kinds of traumatic brain injuries. Penetration injuries occur when an object breaks through the skull and becomes lodged in brain tissue. Internal injuries occur when the brain sustains a hard blow that does not penetrate the skull, causing internal damage. Common causes of penetration injuries include flying shards of glass and other objects in the vehicle’s cabin. Crash victims might sustain internal brain injuries by hitting their head against the steering wheel, steering column, a window, or the side of the vehicle’s interior. Speeding increases the risk for TBIs because a more violent crash is more likely to cause someone to hit their head on something inside the vehicle.
• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) – The force from a high-speed crash can be enough to severely damage or outright sever your spinal cord. These injuries can result in paralysis and the loss of other critical bodily functions, possibly leading to death. Even in cases when spinal cord injuries aren’t fatal, they often cause permanent damage.
• Internal bleeding and organ injuries – When objects penetrate the body in a crash, they can damage internal organs and blood vessels. Damage to the heart, lungs, stomach, liver, kidneys and other vital organs can have cascading effects that can be fatal. Internal bleeding can also cause severe complications and may prove fatal.
• Traumatic amputation – A major car accident can lead to someone being pinned beneath or within a vehicle, crushing or severing a limb (or multiple limbs). A traumatic injury like that often entails severe bleeding and can lead to the victim’s death. Vehicles in high-speed crashes are more likely to sustain heavy damage or roll, both of which increase the odds of someone sustaining a traumatic amputation injury.

Recovering Compensation After a Fatal Accident Caused by Speeding

A California car accident attorney can help you demand compensation for your injuries after a high-speed collision. Following these steps after the accident can help you protect your rights in an injury claim:

• Get prompt medical treatment and follow your doctor’s orders precisely.
• Hold on to all your medical records, bills, and any evidence you may have saved from the crash scene (photos, accident reports, etc.)
• Stay away from social media and don’t give any recorded statements about what happened.
• Keep a record of the challenges you face as a result of your injuries. This may include notes on your daily levels of pain and how your quality of life has changed.
• Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.

Getting help from a lawyer is crucial if you want to maximize the value of your claim for compensation. With the right evidence and legal guidance, you can seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses (both current and future)
• Lost wages
• Reduced capacity to earn a living (if disabled)
• Vehicle repairs or replacement
• Pain and suffering

To give yourself the best chance of recovering full compensation for your injuries, you need to act quickly. California’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims gives you just two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. A lawyer will work to preserve the evidence that will bolster your case while you focus on your recovery.

An experienced car accident attorney from Demas Law Group can also handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf. If the other side refuses to compensate you fairly, your lawyer will be prepared to take your case to court.

Contact a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney

The California car accident lawyers of Demas Law Group are ready to stand up and fight if a speeding driver injured you. Don’t let someone’s careless behavior cost you. Our legal team is committed to seeking justice on your behalf. Get a free case review today by calling our office in Sacramento, or fill out our online contact form.