When drivers speed, it becomes increasingly difficult to control their vehicles. The reasons for this are because their reaction times are not quick enough, and they need more room to stop or slow down their vehicles in time. Therefore, if there are any sudden changes, such as a pedestrian entering the road, the traffic pattern changing, a vehicle switching lanes, or an unexpected curve approaching, an accident can and most likely will occur.
The Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security reported that there were over 1,300 traffic fatalities throughout the state in 2022, and speeding was a contributing factor to many of these accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding has been the cause of over one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities in the United States for the last 20 years. Despite ongoing research and efforts to combat this thoughtless behavior, it still remains one of the top causes of car accidents throughout the country.
Why do drivers speed?
There are a variety of reasons why drivers speed, but the most common that we have seen include:
- Being late
- Aggressive driving or having road rage
- Being impatient
- Trying to shorten a long drive
- Driving while intoxicated
- Enjoying the thrill
- Feeling confident
- Feeling pressured by friends
No matter the reason, speeding can cause a serious accident, which may lead to severe injuries.
The types of injuries that result from Maryville speeding accidents
Drivers or pedestrians who are involved in accidents caused by speeding may experience significant amounts of force very quickly. As a result, they may have catastrophic injuries, which are typically sudden, permanent, and life-changing. Some of the most common catastrophic injuries that we have seen from speeding accidents are:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations or loss of limbs
- Severe burns and scarring
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Skull or head injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Broken, fractured, or crushed bones
- Lacerations and cuts
- Whiplash or neck injuries
- Paralysis
Who is most likely to speed?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that teenage drivers are more likely to speed and tailgate than any other age group in the United States. Per their data, “35% of male drivers and 18% of female drivers (ages 15–20 years) who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash in 2020.”
The compensation you can receive if you were hit by a speeding driver
If you were involved in a car accident with a speeding driver, our Maryville car accident attorneys at Shepherd & Long will do everything we can to prove that the driver was at fault and fight for your right to fair compensation. When determining your losses, it is important that you take the time to sit down and think about the ways that your accident has negatively impacted your life. Here are a few common losses that you may be able to receive compensation for:
- Loss of wages
- Pain and suffering
- Accumulating medical bills
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of quality of life
- Home modifications
- Physical or psychological therapy
- Property damage
- Wrongful death
It is highly recommended to schedule a free consultation with our lawyers at your earliest convenience. By doing so, we can give you an estimate of how much compensation to potentially expect as well as help you collect evidence to prove that you are entitled to damages.
How to prove negligence in a speeding accident
Most speeding accidents will be based on a claim of negligence. Therefore, our attorneys will work endlessly to prove that the speeding driver was negligent, which caused your accident. In order to do this, we must establish these four important elements:
- Duty of Care: The speeding driver had an obligation to keep you and others safe while operating their vehicle.
- Breach: They breached this duty by choosing to speed.
- Causation: The breach that occurred directly caused your accident.
- Damages: You suffered harm from the speeding driver’s behavior.
When it comes to a speeding accident, it can be complicated to prove that the driver owed the victim a duty of care. However, you can rest assured knowing that our lawyers have the experience, skills, and training needed to prove all four factors successfully.
Do I need to file a claim for my injuries within a certain period?
According to Tennessee Code 28-3-104, victims who have been injured in any type of accident must file a claim within one year from the date of the accident. When comparing this statute to others around the country, Tennessee’s gives victims the shortest amount of time to take action. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of this and do not take too long when it comes to reaching out to a car accident lawyer.
We know that one year may seem like a decent amount of time. However, if you keep putting it off, you may miss out on your chance to receive financial help for your losses. There are only a few exceptions that allow victims more time, but these are extremely rare. That said, it is crucial that you get in touch with an East Tennessee attorney as soon as possible.
Speeding is a careless, reckless, and negligent act. It not only puts the speeding driver at risk, but it also places everyone around them in extreme danger. If you have been injured in a speed-related accident, please do not hesitate to contact our team at Shepherd & Long today. We have represented many other clients going through similar hardships, and we do everything in our power to help you secure compensation to recover from your losses. Call our Maryville injury lawyers or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.