Breaking the speed limit is, of course, illegal. Many people consider this just another way that police departments can write tickets and generate funds, though, and do not actually consider it dangerous to speed.
If you have been looking at it this way, it’s important to consider just how speeding plays a role in car accidents. True, speeding can increase the risk of an accident — a speeding driver may not have time to stop or may lose control of their car — but the real impact that speed has on accidents goes even further.
Speed increases the likelihood of serious injuries
The big issue is actually that excessive speed increases the likelihood of severe injuries when a wreck does happen — and it does so at an exponential rate.
For instance, a crash at 35 mph is twice as dangerous as a crash at 25 mph. The car may only be traveling 40% faster at 35 mph, but the rate of severe injuries nearly doubles.
Many drivers who break the speed limit only think about their own vehicles. If they still feel in control of the car, they argue that speeding isn’t all that dangerous. But the true danger is to whoever is involved in an accident. Say that an animal runs into the road and a driver swerves and then gets hit by someone who is going 60 mph in a 35 mph zone. The accident may have happened at either speed, but the crash at 60 mph is vastly more likely to be fatal or to lead to significant, life-altering injuries.
Have you been hit by a speeding driver?
If a speeding driver struck your car, you must know how to seek compensation for your medical bills and other costs. Working with an experienced attorney can help you better understand your rights and options.
