You are running late for work, so you decide to drive 10 miles over the posted speed limit to make up some time. You may feel that there is not much harm in driving slightly over the speed limit. However, speeding is much more dangerous than people may think.
Unfortunately, many drivers choose to view speed limits as a suggestion, rather than the law. When speed limits are disregarded, roads become more dangerous for everyone on them. According to data collected from the Connecticut Crash Data Repository, in 2021, there were 8,220 accidents in the state related to speeding.
Have you or someone you love been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else speeding? If so, the car accident lawyers at Gould Injury Law are here to help. We can act fast to recover the compensation you deserve.
Call us 24/7 at 888-WIN-FAST to schedule a free case review today.
Why Do Drivers Speed?
Speeding can be more than simply driving over the posted speed limit. It can include driving too fast for weather conditions, such as fog, rain, ice, and snow, or driving too fast in construction zones, where speed limits are typically reduced.
Drivers in Connecticut may speed because they are:
- Running late or in a hurry
- Enjoying the thrill of driving fast
- Frustrated by traffic conditions
- Unaware of the speed limit
- Familiar with the roadway
- Driving while distracted
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
There is no excuse that justifies breaking the law and speeding. The consequences of speeding are greater than just a traffic ticket. Speeding causes serious car accidents that can leave people suffering from life-altering injuries.
If you suspect that the driver who caused your auto accident was speeding, contact “The Fast Firm” of Gould Injury Law today. Our fast-acting lawyers will investigate your accident and help you establish liability.
Why is Speeding So Dangerous?
Officials in Connecticut carefully choose the speed limits posted on roadways throughout the state. Where roads are straight and do not have many traffic stops, speed limits are higher. Speed limits are lower on roads that are likely to have more pedestrians and bicyclists.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over the past 2 decades, speeding has been involved in about one-third of all traffic-related fatalities. Why is speed a contributing factor in so many car accidents?
When a Connecticut driver speeds:
- It is easier to lose control of the vehicle
- It increases the amount of time needed to stop the vehicle
- It decreases the time the driver has to react to changes in traffic patterns and road hazards
- There is an increased chance of a rollover accident
- There is decreased protection from the vehicle’s safety features
- There is a greater chance of severe injury when accidents occur at high speeds
- A tire’s grip is less effective at high speeds, especially in inclement weather conditions
Speeding and Weather Conditions
Weather conditions in Connecticut can be unpredictable. It may be calm and sunny one day and cold and snowy the next. While driving the posted speed limit on a dry day is safe, driving at that same speed when there is ice or snow on the road can be dangerous. A driver may receive a ticket from law enforcement for driving “too fast for conditions.”
The National Safety Council (NSC) presented data showing the dangers of speeding when there are poor road conditions. According to their report for 2020, speeding was a contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents for:
- 19 percent of drivers on dry roads
- 21 percent on wet roads
- 33 percent on snow or slush
- 45 percent on roads with moving or standing water
- 42 percent on roads with mud, dirt, or gravel
- 42 percent on roads with ice or frost
Connecticut Speeding Accidents Cause Severe Injuries
Speeding accidents can leave victims suffering from many different types of injuries. Accidents where excessive speed was involved often resulted in more severe conditions.
Common speeding accident injuries include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Back and neck injuries
- Head and shoulder injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Amputations
- Severe burns and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
If you suffered these or other injuries in a speeding accident, you should not have to pay for someone else’s negligence. The car accident lawyers at Gould Injury Law will act fast to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
The Dangers of Connecticut Street Racing
While it may look fun in the movies, illegal street and drag racing is a dangerous activity that can result in accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The high speeds reached in a street race not only endanger the driver but also unsuspecting motorists, pedestrians, and bystanders around them.
Street racing is considered a form of reckless driving and is against the law. If the authorities catch someone participating in illegal drag racing, that person could be fined, end up with a suspended license, and even spend time in jail.
If you suffered an injury in a street race in Connecticut, the car accident lawyers at Gould Injury Law are here to help. We can take fast action to hold all negligent parties liable for the harm they caused you.
How to Prove Someone Else Caused a Connecticut Speeding Accident
Before you can recover compensation for your injuries, you will first need to prove that the other driver was negligent. This can be complicated since most drivers will not openly admit that they were speeding.
This is one of the reasons why it is beneficial to have an experienced speeding accident lawyer on your side, who will act fast to investigate your case and gather evidence.
Actions your car accident lawyer may take to establish negligence and liability include:
- Speaking to witnesses: If there were pedestrians, other motorists, or bystanders who saw the accident happen, they may be able to testify that the driver who caused the accident was speeding.
- Reviewing police reports: This report will often detail how the accident occurred and contact information for all involved. Most importantly, it will state whether a speeding citation was issued to any driver at the accident scene.
- Examining physical evidence: Skidmarks, road debris, and damage from your vehicle can all be used as evidence to show the other driver was speeding.
- Identifying video surveillance footage: Videos from dashcams and surveillance cameras in the area can provide clear proof that the other driver was speeding.
- Working with specialists: Accident reconstructionists, medical experts, law enforcement officials, and other specialists can provide valuable information as we build your case.
It is important to speak to a personal injury lawyer soon as possible after a speeding accident, because valuable evidence can be lost or destroyed over time. After taking on your case, our legal team will act fast to investigate the cause of your crash and quickly begin building a solid case on your behalf.
Recoverable Damages Following a Connecticut Speeding Accident
Victims of speeding accidents have the legal right to recover financial compensation for their losses. At Gould Injury Law, we understand that our clients need quick financial compensation to cover their medical bills, lost wages, and living expenses. That is why we pride ourselves on settling claims quickly for our clients.
When handling your speeding accident case, we will take fast action to identify all parties liable for the incident and file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against them.
Depending on the circumstances of your car accident and the extent of your injuries, you may be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Reimbursement for ambulance rides, hospital stays, medications, surgeries, home health care, rehabilitation therapy, and other medical-related expenses.
- Lost income: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, you can recover compensation for your lost wages.
- Loss of earning potential: Some injuries may be so severe that a person is unable to work or return to employment as before.
- Property damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle and other property damaged in the speeding accident.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional pain suffered as a result of the accident.
- Wrongful death: If you lost a loved one as a result of the accident, you could recover compensation for burial expenses, funeral costs, loss of support, and more.
Contact a Connecticut Speeding Accident Lawyer Today
Exceeding posted speed limits and overdriving road conditions are dangerous. It puts the driver and all others on the road at risk of accident and injury. Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident? Do you believe speed was a factor? You may be entitled to compensation for damages you sustained in the collision.
Contact “The Fast Firm” to schedule a free review of your speeding accident claim. We take all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. It costs you nothing to learn about your legal rights and get answers to your questions following the accident. You do not owe us anything unless you are awarded a settlement.
Our law firm has the knowledge and experience needed to help you recover maximum compensation for your claim as fast as possible. Call us at 888-WIN-FAST to schedule a free case consultation.
