Speeding is a leading cause of auto accidents and a major cause of traffic fatalities. In fact, 12,151 people lost their lives in speeding-related crashes in 2022, with drivers going too fast involved in a total of 29% of all traffic fatalities during that same year according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a collision, a Denver car crash lawyer at Dulin McQuinn Young can help you understand your rights and can work with you to pursue a claim to get the compensation you deserve. Give us a call at (303) 246-1111 or read on to learn more about what happens when speeding drivers cause an accident to occur.
The Risks of Speeding Accidents
When a driver travels too fast, the risk of an accident increases.
Motorists have less control over a vehicle when they are speeding, they have less time to process and react to visual stimuli, there is a longer stopping time, and more braking distance is required because of the increased forward momentum.
Crashes involving speeding are also more likely to be severe or fatal when they do occur. A speeding vehicle has more kinetic energy that is transferred to other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists. The force of this impact puts those in other vehicles or on the road at risk of grave harm.
Common Injuries From Speeding Accidents
Any car accident can cause injuries, but certain types of injuries are especially common in crashes with speeding drivers. Some of the most common injuries that occur in speeding-related collisions include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Open and closed head injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Back and neck damage
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations
The chances of an accident being fatal are also increased because of the added impact when a vehicle is traveling at high speeds.
Your Rights After a Speeding Accident
If you are involved in a collision with a driver who is traveling above the speed limit, you may be able to hold that motorist accountable for the damage that occurs. You will need to show:
- The driver owed you a duty of care
- The driver breached the duty
- You were hurt because of the breach
- You suffered damages you can be compensated for
Drivers have a duty to obey the rules of the road, including the posted speed limits. If they fail to do so and a crash happens because of it, you should be able to prove that the driver was unreasonably careless or legally negligent in the eyes of the law.
As long as that negligence caused the accident, that driver should compensate you for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Colorado law does cap non-economic damages for pain and suffering and emotional distress under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-102.5 but the limit changes over time to adjust for inflation and you can still recover substantial damages for your losses.
Dulin McQuinn Young can help you get the compensation you deserve when you are hurt by a speeding driver. Give us a call today at (303) 246-1111 to schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer and learn more.