Speed changes everything. Reaction times decrease and danger potential increases. The same thrill seeking impulse leading some to roller coasters or bungee jumps can put everyone at risk when indulged on the highway. There is a reason for speed limits on roadways and the reason is simple: speeding dramatically increases the risk of traffic fatalities. In discussing high speed accidents within the context of car accident litigation and making insurance claims, there are a number of factors to consider.
Speed Kills
A speeding vehicle is like a missile that can only be controlled by a driver’s actions. Reaction time is the period of time elapsing between the recognition of a risk and action in response to that risk. A vehicle traveling at 60 mph travels 88 feet per second. At 80 mph the distance per second jumps to 117 feet. Human reaction times vary, but typically range from between one and three seconds. Accident reconstruction engineers often use the figure of 1.5 seconds for calculations. With a 1.5 second driver reaction time, a vehicle traveling 80 mph will travel over 175 feet after an alert driver recognizes a risk and begins to take evasive action and the braking distance is over 300 feet. The exact figures vary and are impacted by road conditions, tires, and brake wear, but the simple truth is anything within the length of a football field will be impacted before an alert driver can stop a car going 80 mph.
Alcohol is a Factor
In traffic fatalities with speed considered a contributing factor, drivers are 40% more likely to have a blood alcohol content in excess of the legal limit than in non-speed related fatalities. Considering that alcohol use often lowers inhibitions to risky behavior such as speeding while simultaneously decreasing perceptive ability and lowering reaction time, it makes for a deadly cocktail for motorists sharing a vehicle or a roadway with the impaired driver.
Damages Are Worse Even in Non-Fatal Crashes
High speed accidents cause increased damages across the board. There is a direct correlation between increased speed and the amount of property damage incurred to vehicles (or property) involved in collisions. This is also true for vehicle occupants. The risk of serious injury is substantially larger with high speed impacts than low speed collisions.
Litigation Factors
Lawsuits involving excessive speed can be more complicated than simple fender benders. This is especially true if the speeding vehicle is a commercial vehicle such as a tractor trailer and fatalities are involved. Accident reconstruction engineers are typically involved to parse through factors such as roadway friction analysis, tire markings and force/velocity equations. A good car accident lawyer will always keep the focus on the simple fact that a speeding driver is a negligent driver, but when attempting to prove a client is deserving of punitive or exemplary damages, one must show excessive or gross negligence, which involves analyzing all the crash details plus examining electronic vehicle data contained in most modern automobiles and all big trucks.
Criminal Prosecution
If a police officer determines that a driver operates a vehicle with a “wanton disregard for public safety” the driver can be prosecuted for reckless driving, which carries much harsher penalties than a simple speeding ticket. Reckless driving can be punished with up to 30 days in jail and a suspension of driving privileges.
If you or someone you care about has been injured by a speeding driver, it pays to retain a car accident attorney experienced in the unique aspects of high speed accident cases. Having a qualified advocate helps insure that every angle is covered in getting maximum compensation for your damages.
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