Almost everyone violates the speed limit or drives faster than one should given road and traffic conditions at some point. While many motorists perceive speeding as a minor infraction that has no real consequence, a significant number of people are killed throughout Mississippi and the U.S. every year by drivers guilty of speeding. The faster a vehicle is moving the more stopping distance it needs when applying the brakes to avoid a car accident. A car also is less responsive and more prone to rollover at high rates of speed when a driver engages in sharp steering maneuvers. Further, vehicles occupants are more likely to be involved in a car accident when driving at a high rate of speed and experience more severe injuries.
Our Mississippi speeding accident attorneys have successfully represented many victims of speeding drivers. Because car accidents that occur at a higher rate of speed result in a more intense impact, it is important to have an experienced car accident lawyer who has handled a substantial number of car accident claims involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.
The danger of being involved in a speed-related accident is substantial given that ninety percent of all drivers admit to speeding, and 75 percent admit to doing so regularly. Some people justify speeding based on the fact that they exceed the speed limit by only a small margin. The problem with this reasoning is that even exceeding the speed limit by only five mph can cause a serious car accident depending on where the speeding occurs. Speeding is a significant factor in as many as one-third of all fatal car accidents. The relationship between increased speed and traffic collisions is demonstrated by a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which revealed that increased speed limits resulted in a rise in the number of car accidents and auto accident-related fatalities.
Excessive speed frequently is combined with alcohol and other collision risk factors. An accident victim typically must establish the negligence of the other driver to recover for injuries. Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for weather or road conditions often constitutes negligence. Speeding increases the probability of a driver being involved in a Mississippi car accident resulting in serious injury in a number of ways that include:
- Speeding decreases the amount of reaction time a driver has to engage in evasive maneuvers.
- Excessive speed increases the risk of skidding on icy or wet roadways.
- Stopping distance increases significantly as speed increases.
- Speeding increases the force of impact in a collision with another vehicle, pedestrian, or fixed object.
- There is an increased risk of losing control of a vehicle when turning if a driver is speeding.
If you have been involved in a serious car accident in Mississippi caused by a speeding driver, Barrett Law provides a thorough investigation of the facts, extensive legal research, meticulously drafted pleadings and motions, as well as compelling courtroom advocacy. The knowledgeable and experienced attorneys at our traffic accident injury law firm offer a free initial consultation so that we can evaluate your claim. Contact the Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers at Barrett Law today at 800.707.9577 to schedule your free consultation.
