Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Virginia and across the country. Due to the extreme force of impact associated with a speeding-related accident, these collisions often result in extensive property damage and serious injuries. If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by another motorist who was speeding, a successful personal injury claim will ensure that you recover the financial compensation you deserve. However, Virginia is one of the few states that follow the “pure contributory negligence” rule, which means that if you are partly responsible for causing the accident, you will be unable to recover any damages.
Insurance companies will look for any reason to assign even a small percentage of the blame to you so that they do not have to pay a costly settlement. An experienced car accident lawyer will protect your legal rights and recommend the most effective strategy to prove that the other driver bears the full responsibility so that you can recover the damages to which you are entitled.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Speeding?
“Speeding” is a form of aggressive driving that can increase the likelihood and severity of a car accident. The majority of speeding-related accidents are preventable if motorists obey the speed limit at all times. Unfortunately, there are a number of factors that cause motorists to drive too fast, including the following:
- Traffic. When traffic is at a standstill, it can be tempting to try to make up for lost time by speeding, changing lanes, and cutting off other drivers. This is never a good idea and can increase the risk of a serious accident, particularly when there are a lot of other motorists on the road.
- Running late. If you are late for work, school, an appointment, or any other situation where being on time is important, you may try to make up for your lateness by driving faster than you normally would.
- Anonymity. When you are inside your vehicle, you are more likely to engage in aggressive driving behaviors like speeding or making a rude gesture to another driver because you are shielded from the outside environment and will likely never see the person who witnessed your aggressive behavior.
- Drunk driving. If you are under the influence of alcohol, you are more likely to speed due to a combination of impaired cognitive function, lowered inhibitions, and a false sense of confidence.
What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents Caused by Speeding?
All motorists have a responsibility to obey the posted speed limits and avoid any aggressive driving behaviors. Speeding can cause a range of serious car accidents, including the following:
- Rear-end accidents. In some cases, rear-end accidents are minor fender benders that cause minimal property damage and only minor injuries. However, if the driver who rear-ends another vehicle was travelling at a high speed at the moment of impact, the resulting accident can be very serious, including extensive property damage, severe injuries, and fatalities.
- T-bone collisions. Also known as a “side-impact collision,” a T-bone collision occurs when the front of a vehicle crashes into the side of a vehicle, usually at an intersection. High-speed T-bone accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities since the side of most vehicles has minimal structural steel or crumple zones to absorb the impact compared to the front or rear of the vehicle.
- Single-car accidents. If a motorist loses control of the vehicle because they are driving too fast, they could crash into a telephone pole, a tree, or a guardrail.
Why Are Speeding-Related Accidents So Dangerous?
In addition to being a traffic violation, speeding increases the risk of a serious car accident. The following are examples of the dangers of speeding:
- Decreased reaction time. The faster you are driving, the less time you have to be able to safely react to a sudden hazard, changes in road conditions, or an obstacle in the road.
- Increased stopping distance. It takes longer to slow down and come to a complete stop when you are driving at a high speed. This can make it very difficult to slow down and come to a complete stop in time to avoid hitting another vehicle or some other hazard that suddenly appears on the road ahead.
- Loss of control. Speeding also makes it more difficult to maintain control of your vehicle, particularly if you need to avoid another vehicle or if the road conditions are hazardous.
- Increased severity of the accident. The faster you are driving, the greater the force of impact in the event of a car accident. This can result in extensive property damage, severe injuries, and fatalities. The following provides an overview of how the risk of death increases with how fast you are driving:
– When driving 40 mph, there is a 45% chance of severe injury or death.
– When driving 50 mph, there is a 65% chance of severe injury or death.
– When driving 60+ mph, there is an 85% chance of severe injury or death.
What Are Common Speeding-Related Injuries?
While a minor fender bender may only cause a few cuts and scrapes, the injuries caused by high-speed accidents tend to be much more serious due to the extreme force of impact. The following are examples of injuries that are caused by speeding accidents:
- Broken bones.
- Serious cuts and lacerations.
- Soft-tissue injuries, including whiplash.
- Neck, back, and shoulder injuries.
- Internal organ damage.
- Burns and scarring.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs).
What Steps Do I Take After a Speeding-Related Car Accident?
There are important steps you should take after a car accident, particularly if speeding was the cause and there are serious injuries involved. Take the following steps immediately following a speeding-related car accident:
- Call 911 to report the accident. Notify dispatch if there are injuries so that they can send an ambulance to the accident scene.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is important that you are examined by a healthcare professional at the scene to ensure that your injuries are properly diagnosed and treated. If you do not get medical attention, and you pursue a personal injury claim, the insurance company may argue that your injuries must not be very serious if you did not find it necessary to seek medical attention from emergency medical technicians. This can have a negative impact on your claim.
- Take pictures of the accident scene, including the damage to your vehicle, your injuries, skid marks or debris on the ground, the weather conditions, and any other evidence that can support your claim.
- Get statements from witnesses. If there were witnesses who saw the accident happen, ask if they would be willing to provide an official statement and ask for their contact information.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. Avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as an apology, as this can be used against you in the claims process.
- Contact an experienced car accident lawyer. A dedicated car accident lawyer will review the details of the accident, determine who is at fault, and pursue the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
What Damages Am I Entitled to in a Speeding-Related Car Accident?
There are three types of damages you may be entitled to if you were seriously injured in a speeding-related car accident that was caused by the other motorist involved. They include the following:
Economic damages. These are easily quantifiable out-of-pocket expenses caused by the accident, including:
- Property damage.
- Medical expenses associated with your injuries.
- Lost wages if you are unable to return to work.
- Loss of future earning capacity.
- Rehabilitation and assistive medical devices.
- Wrongful death damages.
Non-economic damages. These are more difficult to quantify and prove than economic damages. They can involve losses that are ongoing and may require expert testimony. They include:
- Pain and suffering.
- Bodily disfigurement.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Loss of consortium.
- Emotional distress.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Punitive damages. These are meant to punish the at-fault party for conduct that is considered particularly egregious. While it is rare that punitive damages are awarded in personal injury cases, they may be awarded if the at-fault motorist was driving 30+ mph over the speed limit, exhibiting signs of road rage, or was engaging in other behavior that is considered “wanton” negligence as opposed to “simple” negligence. If the at-fault motorist was driving at a high speed, or showing signs of extreme negligence or malicious behavior, your car accident lawyer may pursue these damages in addition to economic and non-economic damages.
A Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyer at Anchor Legal ® Represents Victims of High-Speed Car Accidents
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a car accident where the at-fault driver was speeding, do not hesitate to contact a Virginia Beach car accident lawyer at Anchor Legal. We will conduct a thorough investigation to identify the liable party, ensure that your legal rights are protected, and negotiate the best possible settlement outcome. To schedule a free consultation, call today at 757-LAW-0000 or contact us online. Located in Virginia Beach, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.