Many drivers travel faster than posted speed limits at one time or another, especially on highways. Our busy lives cause us to rush from destination to destination without thinking about the devastating and catastrophic consequences speeding can have.

Speed limits are safety measures intended to shield the lives of drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Speeding can make it impossible to stop safely and react to sudden movements. Just like drunk driving and distracted driving, speeding is a form of negligence that makes the at-fault driver responsible for any accidents that occur as a result.

Speeding plays a major role in serious car accident injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 32,675 traffic fatalities in 2014, and 9,262 crashes were related to speed. If you were injured in a speed-related collision, a Spokane speeding accident lawyer from Craig Swapp & Associates can protect your rights and help you explore your options for monetary compensation.

 

Speeding in Washington State

In 2014, accidents caused by excessive speeding in Washington accounted for the following:

  • 19,130 accidents
  • 151 fatalities
  • 425 serious injuries
  • 6,071 minor accidents
  • 12,114 property damage claims
  • A speeding driver was involved in a crash every twenty-eight minutes

 

Speeding and Spokane Car Accidents

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that there is a direct correlation between vehicle speed and the severity of crashes and injuries. The faster the driver is speeding, the greater the impact of the collision and the increase in the severity of injuries. The IIHS report also contends that the risk of being injured in a Spokane speeding accident is lower for motorists driving near the posted speed limit, and that injury risk increases for those driving at higher speeds.

Many Spokane speeding accidents could have been avoided if motorists had been traveling at slower speeds. Maneuvering a motor vehicle is also more difficult at higher speeds, which can result in driver miscalculations:

  • Longer stop times when speeding
  • Losing control on a turn or when changing lanes
  • Reduced ability to react to traffic and road conditions

All of these elements combine to fully illustrate just how careless speeding drivers really are. People who speed don’t just put themselves at risk; they also risk the health and wellbeing of everyone on the road with them. If a speeding driver caused your car accident, compensation could be owed to you for your injuries and expenses.

 

Driving Too Fast for Road Conditions Is Reckless

Speeding is more dangerous when hazardous weather conditions hinder visibility and cause roads to be slippery. In these situations, it may be necessary to drive slower than the posted speed limit. Drivers who fail to do so could be found at fault for your accident—even if they were driving at the posted speed limit.

Driving at safe speeds for road construction is also important. To keep construction workers and surrounding vehicles safe, it’s important that drivers reduce vehicle speed.

 

A Spokane Speeding Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Accidents due to speeding can be devastating and temporarily or permanently change the course of one’s life. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an accident caused by a driver who was speeding or driving too fast for road conditions, it is crucial to consult with a Spokane speeding accident lawyer from Craig Swapp & Associates.

Experienced in speeding-related accidents, we are dedicated to recovering compensation for your injuries with aggressive and compassionate representation. We successfully handle speeding accident cases on a regular basis and will work hard to protect your legal rights.

Please complete our form below or call us at 1-800-404-9000 for a free initial consultation. Let the Spokane speeding accident lawyers of Craig Swapp & Associates work for you.