There are various factors that contribute to car accidents, in addition to driving practices that can increase the risk of a collision. However, few practices have proven to be as dangerous as speeding. According to accident data, speeding consistently ranks as one of the leading causes of car accidents.
Sadly, car accidents can result in significant physical, financial, and emotional damages, especially when the accident involves speeding. It is important that accident victims seek out legal representation in the aftermath of a collision.
The experienced car accident attorneys at Douglas & London can help victims of car accidents involving speeding in the New York, NY area collect the financial compensation they are due for their losses.
How Common Is Speeding?
If answering honestly, almost every driver would admit to speeding occasionally. Although most people would think twice before texting while driving or driving under the influence, speeding is not that unusual.
For some, speeding is a regular practice. on average, over 100,000 drivers are ticketed for speeding each day, and that is just the people who are caught. So why do so many people drive at speeds above the posted speed limit?
For some, speeding is simply the result of distracted driving. When a driver is not paying attention, he or she can speed. Unfortunately, there are also a number of drivers that deliberately choose to speed, either because they are running late, don’t think minor speeding is a big deal, or believe that they are skilled enough to safely control the vehicle no matter the speed.
Speeding Dangers
Although many people think they can safely maneuver their vehicle even when they are driving at excessive speeds, accident data tells us otherwise. Speeding has been shown to increase the likelihood of an accident, and is listed as a contributing factor in about one-third of car crashes annually.
The three greatest dangers of speeding include:
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- Speeding impedes a person’s ability to control the vehicle: Speed limits are assigned based on a number of factors, including road and traffic conditions. If a person exceeds the speed limit by even a small margin, it can make it much more difficult to safely maneuver their vehicle.
- Speeding drastically reduces the time a driver has to react to a situation: Dangers and obstacles are bound to present themselves when a person is driving. Defensive driving is key to avoiding an accident when unknown factors come up. When drivers are speeding, they are left without a suitable cushion of time to respond to dangers and act accordingly.
- Speeding increases the impact of an accident: Unfortunately, not all car accidents can be avoided. When a crash does take place, the impact it creates is largely responsible for how much damage takes place and how severe the resulting injuries may be. The faster that a car is going at the time of an accident, the greater the impact it will create, and the higher the damages of the accident.
Learn More
If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by another driver?s decision to speed, you may be due financial compensation for your losses. To learn more about your legal rights following a car accident, contact us at your earliest convenience. Call (212) 566-7500 to discuss the details of your case with one of the experienced attorneys at Douglas & London.