Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents in the United States, leading to severe injuries and fatalities every year. For those who have been injured in speeding-related accidents, understanding their legal rights is essential. The Law Office of David M. Kennedy, a personal injury law firm based in North Texas, has extensive experience helping victims of these tragic incidents seek justice and compensation.

The Dangers of Speeding

Excessive speed contributes significantly to the likelihood and severity of accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding has been a factor in approximately 26% of all traffic fatalities in recent years, killing more than 11,000 people in 2020 alone. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react quickly to potential hazards, increases the stopping distance, and magnifies the impact during a collision.

In North Texas, where sprawling highways and rural roads often lead to high-speed driving, the risks can be even more pronounced. Speeding drivers may feel overconfident, but they put everyone at risk, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists.

How Speeding Affects Accident Severity

Speed not only increases the likelihood of a crash but also intensifies the damage it causes. A car traveling at 60 miles per hour has double the impact force of a car traveling at 40 miles per hour. This increase in kinetic energy significantly raises the potential for catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, and multiple fractures.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that speeding increases both the frequency and fatality rate of crashes. With less time to avoid a collision and a higher energy impact during the crash, speeding drivers often cause accidents that result in serious injuries or fatalities. Victims of speeding-related accidents may require long-term medical care and face permanent disabilities, drastically affecting their quality of life.

Why Do Drivers Speed?

Despite the known dangers, speeding remains a persistent problem across the U.S. Many drivers exceed the speed limit for various reasons, including:

1. Running Late: Drivers may speed to make up for lost time, especially during their daily commutes or when running late for appointments.
2. Aggressive Driving: Speeding is often a component of aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and road rage.
3. Perceived Lower Risk: Some drivers believe that speeding is less dangerous if road conditions seem favorable, such as when traffic is light or weather conditions are clear.
4. Disregard for the Law: A portion of drivers simply do not respect speed limits, particularly on roads they travel frequently, believing they can handle higher speeds without consequences.
5. Fatigue: Lack of attention due to fatigue often results in excess speed.

Regardless of the reason, speeding is always a choice that can have devastating consequences.

Legal Recourse for Speeding-Related Accidents

If you or a loved one have been involved in a speeding-related accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other losses. In Texas, proving that a driver was speeding at the time of an accident can significantly strengthen a personal injury claim.

As an experienced personal injury attorney, David M. Kennedy can help you navigate the legal process. His team will work to gather critical evidence, such as:

• Police Reports: Officers often note the estimated speed of the vehicles involved in their reports. These reports can be vital in proving the speeding driver’s liability.
• Traffic Camera Footage: Many intersections and highways are equipped with cameras that may capture the moments leading up to an accident.
• Witness Testimony: Eyewitnesses to the crash may provide statements indicating that the at-fault driver was traveling at an unsafe speed.
• Accident Reconstruction: Experts may be called in to reconstruct the crash, using data and physical evidence to estimate the speed at which the vehicles were traveling.
• Black Box: Most all vehicles now have information stored inside their electronic systems that experts can access and determine how fast they were traveling in the minutes preceding the accident.

By demonstrating that the other driver’s excessive speed was a primary factor in the accident, you can seek compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disabilities
• Funeral expenses (in cases of wrongful death)

Comparative Negligence in Texas

Texas follows a “comparative negligence” rule, which can impact the amount of compensation a victim receives. Under this rule, if the injured party is found to be partially at fault for the accident, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault. However, if they are found to be more than 50% at fault, they cannot recover any damages. This makes it crucial to have a skilled attorney like David M. Kennedy, who can advocate for your best interests and ensure that the other driver’s negligence is properly recognized and yours is reduced or eliminated from the ultimate causation analysis.

Preventing Speeding-Related Accidents

While personal injury claims can help victims recover financially after a crash, preventing these accidents is always the best course of action. Some measures that can help reduce speeding include:

• Stricter Enforcement: More frequent speed enforcement, especially in high-risk areas, can deter drivers from speeding.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating drivers on the dangers of speeding, similar to campaigns against drunk driving, can raise awareness and change behavior.
• Technological Solutions: Many new vehicles are equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that monitor and control speed, potentially reducing the occurrence of speeding-related crashes.

Conclusion

Speeding-related accidents are all too common and can result in life-altering consequences. If you have been injured due to a speeding driver, The Law Office of David M. Kennedy is here to help. With years of experience handling personal injury cases in North Texas, Mr. Kennedy and his team will fight for the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Reach out today for a Free Consultation to discuss your case and learn more about your legal options. You don’t have to face the aftermath of a speeding-related accident alone.