Speeding is one of the most common violations of traffic laws. However, although it is common, speeding is not safe. In fact, speeding is a factor in approximately 10,000 fatal crashes every year in the United States, accounting for nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities.
If you are struggling in the aftermath of a collision caused by someone’s reckless speeding, you know the stress that comes with navigating medical bills, recovery, and insurance. At Shaw Cowart LLP, our experienced Texas car accident attorneys understand your circumstances. We know how difficult it is to recover after injuries from a collision. If you or a loved one have been hurt or had your car totaled in an accident, we can help. Contact our office today for a free and confidential case evaluation.
The Dangers of Speeding
It is easy to think of speeding as a minor infraction, after all nearly everyone has been guilty of this offense. Many people overestimate their driving abilities, falsely believing their reaction time is good enough to mitigate the risks associated with speeding.
This is false.
Understanding the dangers of speeding is, to some degree, a mathematical problem. Although individual reaction time varies, everyone is limited by their Perception Reaction Time (PRT). On average, it takes 1.6 seconds to perceive danger on the road and begin reacting to this danger. Therefore, during these 1.6 seconds, a driver is still moving at the same speed.
To put this in perspective consider the following:
At 20 mph, the distance a car will travel during the time between perception and reaction is roughly 47 feet. When a car travels 50 mph, this distance increases to 117 feet, and, at 70 mph the distance traveled is 164 feet.
This means drivers who speed significantly increase the likelihood they will confront a hazard on the road that they are incapable of responding to before a collision occurs.
How Do I Know if the Car that Hit Me Was Speeding?
Although determining the speed of the vehicle that hit you will require further investigation, there are common signs of speeding, including:
- Tailgating. If you were driving the speed limit and were rear-ended by a car tailgating you, it is likely the driver of the car that struck you was exceeding the speed limit.
- Cuttings in and out of traffic. If you were struck by a car that was rapidly weaving between lanes of traffic, the driver was probably speeding.
Injured in a Speeding Accident? Call Shaw Cowart TODAY
Speeding is one of the most common causes of traffic injuries, claiming thousands of victims every year.
Are you or a loved one navigating the difficulty of piecing your life together after a devastating injury caused by speeding?
If so, you deserve to have an attorney by your side to fight for your right to full and fair compensation for the losses you suffered because of the speeding accident. Shaw Cowart LLP provides legal services to Texas residents injured in speeding accidents. Our experienced attorneys are ready to advocate on your behalf.
Don’t face this hardship alone. Contact Shaw Cowart today for a free and confidential evaluation of your claim.