Speeding significantly increases the likelihood and severity of car accidents. When drivers exceed the speed limit, they reduce their reaction time to unexpected events, like sudden stops, pedestrians, or other vehicles entering their path.
Decreased reaction time plus less control over the vehicle can result in collisions that may have been avoidable at lower speeds. Additionally, speeding increases the stopping distance required to bring a vehicle to a halt, making it more challenging to stop in time to prevent a crash.
Why Is Speeding More Dangerous Than Other Traffic Violations?
Speeding is particularly dangerous because it affects both the likelihood of an accident occurring and the severity of the accident. Higher speeds result in more forceful impacts, causing more significant damage to vehicles and more serious injuries to occupants.
Unlike other traffic violations, like failing to signal or not yielding the right of way, speeding directly affects the fundamental physics of a collision. The energy involved in a crash increases significantly with speed, making even minor increases in speed potentially lethal.
What Are the Common Reasons People Speed?
There are several reasons why drivers choose to speed. Some drivers may be running late and believe that speeding will help them reach their destination more quickly. Others may enjoy the thrill of driving fast or may not be aware of the dangers associated with speeding.
Peer pressure, particularly among younger drivers, can also lead to speeding. A driver might also think that speed limits are too low and that they can safely drive faster than those limits.
How Does Speeding Affect Stopping Distance?
Speeding dramatically increases a vehicle’s stopping distance. The faster a car travels, the longer it takes to come to a complete stop once the brakes are applied. This is due to the increased distance traveled during the driver’s reaction time as well as the increased distance needed for the brakes to slow the car to a halt.
For example, a vehicle traveling at 60 miles per hour requires significantly more stopping distance than one traveling at 30 miles per hour. This extended stopping distance can mean the difference between a near-miss and a serious collision.
What Are the Legal Consequences of Speeding?
The legal consequences of speeding depend on the jurisdiction and the severity of the offense. Penalties for speeding typically include fines, points added to the driver’s license, and increased insurance premiums.
In cases where speeding results in an accident, especially one causing injury or death, the driver may face criminal charges, such as reckless driving or vehicular manslaughter. These charges can lead to significant fines, imprisonment, and a permanent criminal record.
What Kind of Compensation Might I Be Entitled to if a Speeding Driver Caused My Car Accident?
If a speeding driver caused your car accident, you might be entitled to the following types of compensation:
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for loss of companionship or support from a loved one.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to inability to work.
- Medical Expenses: Covers costs for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional distress.
- Property Damage: Costs for repairing or replacing your vehicle and other damaged property.
- Punitive Damages: Additional compensation to punish the at-fault driver for reckless behavior.
Let Respected Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Fight to Protect Your Rights
If you have been affected by a speeding-related car accident, you need not face the aftermath alone. Call our skilled Philadelphia car accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC for a free consultation at 215-569-8488 or submit our online form. Located in Philadelphia and Abington, Pennsylvania, as well as Wilmington, Delaware, we serve clients in the surrounding areas.