Speed has been a significant factor in car and truck accidents for decades. A high-speed crash, whether on a state highway or a backroad, can deliver a serious impact resulting in catastrophic injury or death. The physical and emotional toll of a serious crash can take a lifetime to recover from. If you or a family member has been the victim of an accident caused by the reckless negligence of another driver it is important to seek legal help from an experienced car accident attorney immediately.
Research
Extensive research conducted by state and federal organizations has found that speeding is one of the riskiest driving habits a person can engage in, causing about 33% of all accidents resulting in a fatality or serious injury over the last two decades. A report by Brian Tefft, a researcher at the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety who examined the physics of speed and impact revealed that the risk of serious injury or death increases rapidly with each mile-per-hour increase. For example, a person is 70 percent more likely to be killed if they are struck by a car traveling 30 mph compared to one traveling 25 mph.
The damage that can be caused by a speeding tractor trailer is deadly, as the faster a large truck is moving, the longer it takes for it to stop. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration considers long stopping distances to be one of the most challenging aspects of operating a large vehicle. The FMCSA reports that a truck traveling at a standard highway speed needs about 200 yards to stop.
Fatalities in Speeding-Related Accidents
Over the last several years there has been an increase in fatalities in speeding-related crashes. Across the US, speeding-related accidents that cause fatalities are up an average of 5% from 2020 to 2021. Across southern states, especially, speeding has become one of the most common causes of accidents. In Florida, fatal crashes have increased by a massive 12.7% rising from 3,331 fatalities in 2020 to 3,753 fatalities in 2021.
July 2022, Florida, along with Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina launched the “Operation Southern Slow Down” campaign in an effort to target reckless drivers across the Southern region of the US, specifically along the I-95 corridor. Lt. Greg Bueno, with the Public Affairs Division of the Florida Highway Patrol, said, “It comes down to everyone being responsible behind the wheel. Driving and sharing the roads is an everyday part of all of our lives.”
How Speed Impacts Driving Ability
Car and truck accidents caused by negligent or reckless drivers are potentially very devastating. A speeding driver is more likely to cause an accident because of decreased reaction time, reduced maneuverability, and longer stopping times. It is difficult for other drivers and pedestrians to assess a speeding vehicle and divert accordingly. The faster a car is traveling, the greater the potential for severe injury or death.
Cities across the country are lowering speed limits in an effort to reduce serious crashes. Data analysis shows even a 20% decrease in speed is enough to significantly lessen the probability of serious injury. In a May 2022 press release, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, “We face a crisis on America’s roadways that we must address together. With our National Roadway Safety Strategy and the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are taking critical steps to help reverse this devastating trend and save lives on our roadways.”
Hiring a Florida Car Accident Attorney
When facing serious injuries following a car accident it can be difficult to know where to begin. Hiring an experienced car accident attorney can help you move forward with your emotional, physical, and financial recovery and help you receive the damages you deserve to live your life to the fullest.
Ted Babbitt is an award-winning car accident attorney based in Palm Beach, Florida. He has decades of experience successfully representing victims and their families following devastating accidents caused by negligent drivers. To schedule a free and confidential consultation contact Ted’s office by filling out this online form or calling (561) 375-2841.