Speeding is one of the biggest safety hazards on our roadways. Not only does speeding make accidents more likely to happen, but it also increases the risk of a catastrophic injury. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that speeding is linked directly to approximately 12,000 motor vehicle accident deaths nationwide each year. Tens of thousands more people are seriously hurt in the collisions. Here, our Snellville car accident attorneys provide a guide to catastrophic crashes caused by speeding in Georgia.
Car Accidents Caused By Speeding are a Major Safety Hazard
Speeding is dangerous. It increases both the likelihood of a collision and the severity of the outcome. A driver who exceeds the posted limit violates a basic duty of care. Under Georgia law, motorists must operate their vehicles at a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the conditions. That obligation exists even if the driver remains below the posted maximum. A driver who travels too fast for traffic, weather, or roadway design can still be legally at fault for a crash.
A key thing to remember is that higher speeds reduce reaction time and expand stopping distance. They also increase the crash force exponentially. A vehicle traveling at 55 miles per hour carries far more kinetic energy than one traveling at 35 miles per hour. Every mile per hour can make a significant difference. When a collision occurs at highway speeds, the human body absorbs extreme force. Catastrophic injuries become far more likely at higher speeds.
Of course, speeding also reduces a driver’s ability to avoid hazards. In residential areas in Snellville, a speeding driver may not see a pedestrian stepping into a crosswalk or a vehicle turning left at an intersection until it is too late. The margin for error is much less, and it may even disappear entirely. Even a momentary lapse can result in permanent harm.
Common Catastrophic Injuries in Speeding Accidents
High-speed collisions generate extreme force. The human body cannot absorb that force without serious consequences. Traumatic brain injuries are common, especially when a driver or passenger strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or window. Spinal cord damage can result from violent flexion or compression during impact. These injuries may cause partial or complete paralysis. Speeding crashes can also lead to other serious injuries, including multiple fractures, crushed limbs, and internal organ damage.
Understanding Liability for Speeding Accidents in Georgia
Georgia is a fault-based motor vehicle accident state. A negligent driver can be held legally responsible for a resulting crash. Notably, speeding is one of the most common examples of negligence. To bring a successful car accident injury claim, an injured victim must prove that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused compensable damages. Speeding frequently satisfies the breach of the duty of care element. When a driver violates a traffic safety statute, that violation may constitute negligence per se.
Though in some cases, multiple parties may share legal responsibility for the same crash. Under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule, codified in O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, fault may be apportioned among multiple parties. An injured victim can recover damages only if they are less than 50 percent at fault. If a jury assigns 50 percent or more of the fault to the injured victim, recovery is barred. If the injured victim is 20 percent at fault, the total award is reduced by that percentage. After a serious crash, even a single percentage point of fault could cost an injured victim thousands of dollars in compensation.
An Example of Comparative Negligence and Speeding in Snellville
To best understand how comparative negligence works, it is useful to consider an example. Imagine that there was a collision at a busy Snellville intersection. A driver travels 20 miles per hour over the posted limit. At the same time, another motorist initiates a left turn and misjudges the oncoming vehicle’s speed. The vehicles collide. The speeding driver sustains a catastrophic spinal injury.
A jury could find that both drivers share fault. If the jury assigns 60 percent of the fault to the turning driver and 40 percent to the speeding driver, the speeding driver may still recover damages. The total award would be reduced by 40 percent. If the jury assigns 50 percent or more of the fault to the speeding driver, recovery would be barred under Georgia law.
Recovering the Maximum Compensation for Speeding Car Accidents
In Georgia, car accident victims have the right to bring a claim for full and fair financial compensation against the at-fault party. A speeding driver can and should be held accountable for their negligence. Our Snellville, GA speeding accident attorneys have the knowledge, skills, and experience to help you fight for the maximum recovery. Along with other damages, you may be entitled to seek a settlement or verdict for:
- Property damage;
- Ambulance costs;
- Emergency room care;
- Hospital bills;
- Other medical expenses;
- Loss of wages;
- Diminished future earnings;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Long-term physical disability;
- Permanent impairment;
- Reduced quality of life; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
Why Trust Our Snellville Speeding Accident Lawyer
Speed-related crashes are disproportionately likely to cause severe or catastrophic injuries. It is imperative that victims are able to get the medical care they need and the full and fair financial compensation that is available under Georgia law. At Griffin Law Firm, P.C., we are proactive and results-driven. With a proven record of client testimonials and case results, our Snellville auto accident lawyers are standing by, ready to protect your rights and your interests.
Contact Our Snellville, GA Auto Accident Attorney Today for a Free Case Review
At Griffin Law Firm, P.C., our Snellville car crash lawyer has the professional experience needed to hold insurance companies accountable.
If you were hurt in a speeding crash, please do not hesitate to contact us now to schedule your free, completely confidential initial consultation. From our Snellville office, we represent car accident victims throughout the entire region, including in the zip codes of 30039 and 30078.