Speeding and car accidents are a dangerous combination. Although speeding in and of itself can be the cause of a car accident, when a crash is instigated by something else and speeding is a contributing factor, the results can be serious and in some cases, even deadly.
Why Speeding Makes a Significant Difference
Many people don’t think twice about going 5, 10, or even 15 miles over the speed limit. In some cases, people drive even faster. It’s important to understand, however, that speeding isn’t just a harmless violation of posted speed limits – it’s a danger to you and others on the road. The law of physics determines that the force of an accident is calculated by squaring the increase of speed.
If you were to crash into a stationary object while going 20 mph, your car would take some damage, but you’d likely be able to walk away with just a few bruises and cuts. However, if you were driving twice that speed, the force of the crash would be four times that. It is often mistakenly assumed that doubled speed will result in doubled force, but this is untrue. Remember that the force of the crash is much, much more than just the increase in speed.
How Speeding Increases the Risk of an Accident
Not only will speeding make an accident worse if one does occur, speeding alone increases the risk of an accident occurring. For every increase of 0.62 mph (1 km/hr), the risk of being involved in an injurious crash increases by 3%. That means if you’re going just 5 miles over the speed limit, you’ve increased your risk of being involved in an accident by over 24%. The risk of death in an accident is much higher, up to 4-5% for every 0.62 mph increase in speed.
Reduce Your Risk & Risk to Others on the Road
Although there is some inherent risk of being involved in an accident any time you drive a motor vehicle, watching your speed is something you can actively do to reduce the risk of getting into an accident and becoming seriously or fatally injured in the crash.
The risk of collision goes down by about the same amount that it goes up for every 0.62 mph that you reduce your speed – 2-3%. For example, if you travel 30 mph instead of 35, you reduce your risk of being in a crash by 16-24%.
What to Do In the Event of a Speeding Related Accident
If you or a loved one have been involved in a speeding related accident, it’s important to get legal help as soon as you can. An experienced car accident attorney can help you determine may be at fault for the collision and if you are eligible for compensation for the damages you have incurred as a result of the crash.
At Guest & Brady, LLC, we have the resources and skills needed to aggressively represent you after a life changing motor vehicle accident. Our compassionate yet zealous attorneys will ceaselessly advocate for you during your time of need. Contact us today at (864) 233-7200.
