Every year speeding causes or contributes to many fatal crashes in the U.S. and throughout Michigan. Speeding causes or contributes to car accidents because it can reduce the amount of time a driver has to react to a dangerous situation on the roadway. If you have sustained serious injuries because of a speeding driver, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, or to help pay for medical bills and other damages.
What are the dangers of speeding?
Speeding is a major cause of traffic deaths and injuries. According to the NHTSA, speeding was a contributing factor in about a quarter of all traffic fatalities. That means that about one out of every four car accidents that resulted in death resulted from speeding.
Speeding can occur when the motorist is within the speed limit but still driving too fast for road conditions like bad weather, or when a road is under repair. Speeding violations can affect the well-being of everyone on the road.
Some consequences of speeding include:
- Losing vehicle control.
- Reducing the ability to stop and react after the driver sees a potential danger.
- Increasing the chance of severe injury after a crash.
The many reasons why people speed
It is difficult to know why, exactly, someone would speed in a given situation. There are various reasons why people may speed, which can include:
1. Traffic
A perception that there is too much traffic is one reason some motorists may engage in for aggressive driving, like speeding. Traffic congestion is not a justification to violate the rules of the road.
2. Running Late
Some drivers may speed, causing speeding accidents, because they believe they are running late and want to “make up” time on the road. For instance, they may feel like they are running late for school, work, soccer games, next meeting, or other appointments. This too is never a justification for violating the rules of the road.
3. Disregard for the Law and Other People
While some drivers rarely speed, for others speeding is normal driving behavior. Regardless of the driver’s propensity to speed, it can always create a risk of harm to other motorists on the road.
4. Mistaken Sense of Anonymity
A car provides a level of protection for the driver from the surrounding world. Feeling that they are insulated from the surrounding world, a driver may develop a sense of detachment or a feeling that they should lack accountability. This can make some drivers feel less constrained about their behavior because they believe that no one is watching them. However, the rules of the road exist to maintain roadway safety, which requires drivers to be held accountable when they violate those rules.
If you have been hurt in a speeding accident, call the auto accident attorneys at Bashore Green.
If you have been hit by a speeding car, suffered injuries, and are looking for a personal injury lawyer, call one of the experienced auto accident injury attorneys at Bashore Green. Our experienced car accident lawyers can review your case and, if retained, help you obtain the maximum available compensation. Call 248-487-1887 or fill out our online form.