Fatal Car Accident – Is Speeding a Factor?

December 3, 2021

Fatal Car Accident – Is Speeding a Factor?

fatal car accident
According to a research done by the NHTSA, 26% of all fatal car accidents were speeding-related. This data might seem shocking but it’s not unusual. According to the same agency, in the past 20 years, around 33% of all fatal car accidents were caused by speeding. Not just that, but speeding is also a quite common cause for injury accidents, prevailing around 12% nationally. In terms of car accident claims, driving over the speed limit or too fast for conditions (weather or road) is considered to be negligent behavior. So if you have lost someone in a car accident caused by speeding, you could be entitled to receive substantial compensation from the negligent driver and his/her insurance company.

When can speeding become a factor in fatal car accident?

There are ample of reasons why speeding can be a major factor for fatal car accidents. The first and most obvious reason is that the faster a vehicle is traveling, it’s easier to lose control over the vehicle. This is especially true if the driver is trying to negotiate a curve at high speed. This usually leads to rollover accidents. The second reason is that a speeding car or vehicle has a much higher breaking and reaction time. This means that you have less time to react and to stop your vehicle. A classic example of these type of situations are on the freeway when an unexpected traffic jam can easily lead to rear-end collisions and thus fata car accidents. The third, is that when you’re speeding, the drivers around you can misjudge your intentions on the road which makes your behavior unpredictable. Aside from these reasons, speeding can also have negative impact on the car’s safety equipment. The seatbelts, airbags and other forms of safety equipment in your car are designed to be resilient to high speed. However, at some speeds, the high velocity of the collision can hinder the proper reaction of the safety equipment resulting in fatal car accidents.

Can you hold speeding drivers liable for fatal accident?

Depending on each specific case, speeding drivers can be held liable in the event that they caused fatal car accidents. Their negligent actions can make them liable on a criminal or civil basis. And sometimes, they can be held accountable for both. Speeding or travelling too fast for conditions can result in charges for vehicular manslaughter or homicide, reckless driving and so on, all of which can result in jail time. If the reckless driver was also under the influence (drugs or alcohol), he/she can also face DUI charges. This of course doesn’t mean that every driver that is speeding will be criminally charged. The major difference is in whether the driver was just negligent or reckless. In the event that hi/she was just negligence (not reckless), he/she can be held accountable under a wrongful death claim.

How is the family compensated in case of fatal car accident?

Losing a loved one to a motor vehicle accident can be devastating. And truth be told, there isn’t a “fair” amount of compensation that will be able to alleviate the suffering and pain caused by fatal car accidents. Aside from emotional suffering, the majority of families also face financial hardship when they lose someone to a car accident. Compensation obtained through either a wrongful death claim or car accident claim can cover some of the losses (economic) like loss of future income that the diseased would provide, funeral expenses, medical bills etc. When people lose someone to fatal car accidents, their life changes forever. Aside from dealing with the emotional difficulties and grief, the family also needs to deal with many other things, among them is dealing with the insurance company of the negligent driver. In order to accomplish all of this, the best way is to rely on an experienced car accident attorney who will best represent your interest and negotiation on your behalf with the insurance company and all other parties involved.

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