Is There a Link Between Increased Speed Limits and Car Accident Fatalities?

Speeding is one of the most common traffic violations. Despite how frequently it occurs, the statistics suggest that speeding does carry an increased risk of causing fatal car accidents. At Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys, we help accident victims in Charlotte fight for the compensation they deserve. We also help those who have been charged with speeding fight tickets and retain their driver’s licenses.

To schedule a free, initial consultation of your case, contact us today at (980) 237-4579.

Troubling Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding was a factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities in 2017. Other information reported by the NHTSA includes;

• Age groups involved in the most speed-related traffic fatalities are 15 to 20-year-olds and 21 to 24-year olds.
• 37% of all speed-related fatalities also involved alcohol.
• 49% of people killed in speed-related accidents were not wearing seat belts.
• 87% of car accident fatalities occurred on non-interstate roadways.

While speeding isn’t solely responsible for all traffic fatalities, these statistics demonstrate that there is a significant link between speeding and car accident deaths.

Why Do People Speed?

One of the most troubling aspects of the link between speeding and car accident fatalities is that many drivers exceed the speed limit each time they are behind the wheel. Reasons why people speed include:

• Traffic – Traffic congestion creates anxiety that we’re going to be late. We respond to this anxiety by speeding when traffic starts to move in order to make up for lost time.
• Running late – Most of us have multiple commitments on any given day. We find ourselves late for a family gathering because we had to work late, or rushing to make it on time to a child’s sporting event. We find ourselves speeding without even thinking about it.
• Other drivers – It’s extremely easy to find yourself just keeping up with the flow of traffic and wind up speeding inadvertently because the other motorists around you are acting similarly.

How Speeding Can Lead to Accidents

Speeding may seem harmless because so many people do it. However, speeding leads to accidents in the following ways:

• Vehicles going over the speed limit require longer distances to stop. These distances are often longer than a driver anticipates.
• Speeding vehicles handle differently the faster they go, compounding any driver errors such as over-steering. As a result, drivers are more likely to lose control of their car.
• Going over the speed limit reduces the effectiveness of seat belts, airbags, and other safety features.
• Speeding increases the severity of a crash in the event of a collision.
• Speeding reduces the amount of time that the driver has to react to on-coming hazards and avoid accidents.

To pursue a personal injury claim, you will eventually have to prove that the other driver was negligent. If the other driver was speeding, this could be used as evidence that they were negligent and, therefore, responsible for the accident.

Car Accident Fatalities Lead to Wrongful Death Claims

If someone else’s negligence results in the death of another person, the victim’s family may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the other driver. Unfortunately, these cases are complex and difficult for non-lawyers to pursue. If someone you love was killed in a car accident, the best thing you can do is to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

Contact a Charlotte Attorney for Help Today

If you incurred injuries a car accident or lost someone you love as a result of someone else’s negligence, the attorneys at Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve. We’ll work with you every step of the way until we get results. Schedule your free consultation with one of our attorneys by completing our online contact form, or by calling us at (980) 237-4579.