One of the leading causes of car crashes in Alabama, speeding causes thousands of injuries and deaths each year. At Moore Law Firm, our car accident lawyers help injured victims cope with the often catastrophic consequences of motor vehicle collisions. If you or a loved one has suffered speeding accident injuries, we fight for your rights and help you recover maximum compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.
Common Speeding Accident Injuries
According to Drive Safe Alabama, speeding is the top contributing factor in fatal crashes in Alabama, which ranks #12 out of 50 states for speeding-related deaths. Injuries sustained in car accidents caused by speeding are often catastrophic. Traveling at a high rate of speed means the impact of a collision will be greater, resulting in more serious injury. Other factors that can affect the severity of injuries are the location of impact, the type of vehicles involved, and whether occupants were wearing seat belts.
Some common speeding accident injuries include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Head and brain injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken/fractured bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations
- Burns
If you’ve suffered speeding accident injuries, it’s vital to seek medical attention right away. Some injuries can take days or even weeks to start showing symptoms. Timely documentation of the accident and your injuries will help support a personal injury claim down the road. Contacting an experienced car accident attorney is also critical to ensure your rights are protected. Treatment for these types of injuries can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. If an insurance company offers you minimal compensation or denies your claim, you may be stuck with mounting medical bills, lost time from work, and other accident-related expenses. Our personal injury lawyers can help you hold all liable parties accountable to ensure you get the care and compensation you need and deserve.
Causes Of Speeding Accidents
Speeding often goes hand in hand with driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. When impaired judgment and decreased reaction time are combined with reckless or aggressive driving like speeding, it can be a recipe for disaster. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the following factors can contribute to speeding and other aggressive driving behaviors as well:
Traffic – These days, Alabama roadways are more crowded than ever. Drivers who are frustrated by heavy traffic or congested roadways may drive too fast, swerve in and out of traffic, and become agitated at those they believe are impeding their path. This kind of aggressive behavior can lead to road rage incidents and serious motor vehicle accidents.
Running late – In today’s fast-paced world, too many people are in a rush to get where they’re going, whether it’s work, school, a dinner date, or an appointment. If you tend to speed when you’re running behind, leave earlier and give yourself plenty of time to arrive.
Driving too fast for conditions – Even if you’re obeying the speed limit, sometimes you may be driving too fast for road conditions like inclement weather, poor visibility, or in construction zones. Stay alert, pay attention to what’s happening on the road and adjust your speed accordingly.
Obscurity – Motorists often feel shielded from the outside world when driving. It’s easy to develop a sense of detachment and become careless about how your actions affect those around you. The anonymity of getting behind the wheel and traveling at high speeds among people you don’t know can make you feel less constrained and lead to poor behavior. Always keep in mind that you’re not only responsible for your own safety, but the safety of those around you.
Reckless disregard & lawlessness – A small percentage of drivers have little regard for others or the rule of law. However, it only takes one aggressive driver to cause a fatal accident. If you encounter someone who’s speeding, tailgating, or driving aggressively in other ways, try to avoid them as much as you can.
Alabama Traffic Law
In Alabama, a motorist can be considered to be driving at an excessive speed when traveling up to 25 mph over the posted speed limit. At 26 mph or more above the speed limit, you may be hit with a reckless driving charge. Both of these traffic offenses result in points on your driving record. Multiple speeding tickets can result in license suspension as well. If a motorist who is speeding causes a fatal accident, they may be charged with criminal vehicular homicide.
Investigation Of Speeding Accidents
The length of skid marks at an accident scene, the extent and type of vehicle damage, and witness testimony can be valuable evidence when investigating and proving cases involving speeding accident injuries or fatalities. Newer cars may have event data recorders (EDRs), similar to “black box recorders” found in tractor trailers. They record data such as engine RPM and wheel speed, which can be recovered after a collision. If a collision occurred at an intersection, security camera systems may also provide proof of a motorist’s reckless driving or speeding. Our legal team often seeks the expertise of car accident reconstructionists who are experienced in the investigation of speeding accidents. They may testify as expert witnesses and provide information such as the approximate speed of the vehicles involved in a crash and how the crash may have occurred. After any accident, it’s vital to start the investigation process as soon as possible to ensure all relevant evidence can be collected and analyzed.
What To Do After A Speeding Accident
You may feel stunned and shaken immediately following an accident. However, if you are able, taking certain steps after an accident can help to protect your rights and interests as an injured victim. Call 911, check to see if others are injured, and seek medical treatment right away. Jot down anything and everything you remember about how the accident happened while it’s fresh in your mind. When you speak to law enforcement officers, ask if you can obtain a copy of the police report. It’s also critical to take photos of the scene, vehicles, and your injuries. Gather contact information from any witnesses and other drivers. Get other motorists’ insurance information as well.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Do not sign anything, give a recorded statement or accept a settlement from an insurance company before speaking with a qualified car accident attorney. Even your own insurance company may not have your best interests in mind. Insurers often try to do everything they can to minimize or deny claims. Our car accident lawyers are well-versed in their tactics and handle all communications and negotiations after taking on speeding accident injury claims. Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that we don’t collect attorney fees unless or until we recover compensation in a settlement or judgment for you.
Contact Our Mobile Auto Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has suffered speeding accident injuries that were caused by someone else’s negligence, we can help. Contact us online or call Moore Law Firm at 251-445-7602 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.