Speeding is illegal in Georgia, and the state’s highway patrol aggressively pursues violators. Even driving 60 mph in a 55-mph zone is considered speeding. However, some drivers routinely exceed the speed limit over 20 or 30 mph. Such high-speed driving can be dangerous.
Speed limits are not simply a suggestion or a reminder to drive safely. They are there for a purpose — to protect you, your passengers, and other motorists. When you speed, especially in high-speed zones, small mistakes can lead to unimaginable tragedy. The fact is that driving too fast dramatically increases your odds of getting into an accident.
If you’ve been injured by a reckless driver caused by speeding, we can help. The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is one of the premier personal injury law firms in Atlanta, and we are committed to achieving maximum compensation for the victims of speeding drivers. Contact us online through our website or by calling our office at (470) 323-8779 today.
Speeding is Negligent Behavior
All drivers have a duty of care to one another on the roadways. In other words, they must take basic precautions to avoid causing harm to others. One common way drivers breach this duty is by speeding — when they drive too fast for conditions or in excess of posted speed limits. This form of negligent behavior is widespread and often leads to needless accidents and injuries on our roads each year.
The consequences of speeding are well-documented in the safety literature. The faster a driver travels, the less time they have to react to changing conditions on the road, such as other cars stopping suddenly ahead. Vehicles also take longer to control at higher speeds after pressing the brakes. Speeding reduces the ability of the driver to negotiate bends and curves at speed and increases the stopping distance required for the vehicle in case an emergency arises.
It also reduces the time available for critical reaction to unforeseen events on the road. Therefore, when a driver is speeding, they do not have adequate time and space to avoid accidents. Even relatively minor collisions can result in devastating injuries and property damage due to the force involved at high speeds. For these reasons and many others, it is imperative for all drivers to obey speed limits and drive at safe speeds.
Impact of Speeding on Drivers
The impact speeding has on drivers, and their passengers can be detrimental. It is one of the leading causes of collisions, injuries, and fatalities on Atlanta roads. When a driver speeds, their ability to control the vehicle becomes compromised. The driver of a car is in control over a potentially dangerous mechanism. Driving is not just a right but also a responsibility.
A driver must always be aware of what is going on around their car and be prepared to react appropriately and safely to any given situation. When driving at high speeds, the driver’s reaction time decreases due to the vehicle’s speed. The faster one drives, the less time there is to react to a sudden change.
Car insurance companies consider the age and sex of a person when determining insurance rates because they are both factors that are associated with driving behavior and accidents. Another factor taken into account by insurance companies is whether or not a person has been cited for speeding tickets in the past, as this shows that they have exhibited poor judgment and recklessness.
Speeding tickets are also on the public record and can affect employment opportunities if an employer researches their potential employee’s records. Being cited for a speeding ticket is an expensive proposition that can cause financial difficulty in the short term. Still, it can also lead to increased car insurance rates for years, depending on the severity of the offense. These consequences should be enough to make people consider their speeds when operating vehicles.
Consequences of Speeding
The consequences of speeding are genuine and tragic. Speeding is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents and can lead to:
- Airbags deploying at full force, possibly causing arm and chest injuries or even suffocation.
- Seats collapsing backward during the impact, causing whiplash and other neck injuries.
- The chassis of the car buckling or twisting during the collision, resulting in fractures or broken bones.
- Bruising, swelling, and damage to the soft tissue of your body that may never heal properly.
- Brain injuries that affect memory, cognitive abilities, or motor skills.
- Spinal cord damage that can lead to paralysis.
- Fractures or breaks in important bones, like the skull or limbs.
- Lacerations and puncture wounds caused by broken glass, metal, or other debris.
- Burns from exploding airbags or fires.
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding.
When a speeding driver collides with another vehicle or an object on the road, the impact will be devastating on every level. The energy behind a moving car can be deadly, even at slower speeds. And when a car’s speed increases and, consequently, so does its momentum, the collision becomes more dangerous. In some instances, even a minor crash can have serious consequences, especially when drivers cause damage to others or injure them.
Schedule a Consultation with the Legal Team at CEO Lawyer
Being hit by a speeding driver can be a devastating and life-altering experience. Accidents that occur at high rates of speed often cause serious injuries, including fractures, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and burns. In some cases, an accident that occurs at a high rate of speed can cause death. Fortunately, victims who a dangerous high-speed driver has hit generally have the right to seek compensation through the civil justice system.
Our experienced Atlanta car accident attorneys are well-equipped to hold the negligent driver accountable for your injuries if you are involved in a vehicular accident. We have spent decades helping individuals just like you fight for the financial security they need to move forward with their lives.
If a speeding driver has injured you, call the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm today at (470) 323-8779 or contact us online for a free consultation with a member of our legal team. There is no obligation and nothing to lose by speaking with one of our injury and accident attorneys right now.
