Motor vehicle accidents caused by speeding can have serious, long-term consequences. Individuals who are injured in speeding accidents may face expensive medical bills, serious injuries that cause months of rehabilitation, long-term injuries or even death. Accidents caused by speeding could often be avoided by simply slowing down, and the resulting loss of control and injury is a clear demonstration of negligence on the part of the driver. Some of the most serious accidents are speeding-related, and accidents caused by speeding cause serious injuries and fatalities every year.

Speeding-Related Injuries are More Severe

Speeding-related injuries are often more severe than a typical motor vehicle crash. 67,000 single-vehicle crashes and 87,000 multi-vehicle crashes cause serious injuries every year at speeds of 60 mph or higher; nearly 10% of accidents resulting in injuries at high speeds. Over 6,000 fatal crashes every year occur at 60 mph or higher; that’s 20% of all fatal crashes annually occurring at high speeds.

And these statistics don’t even include accidents that occur at lower speeds, including pedestrian accidents caused by speeding, and other accidents that could be avoided if speeding wasn’t an issue.

Speeding Lawsuits and Settlements

Depending on whether your state practices comparative fault, speeding may be more or less of a factor in your car accident case. In comparative fault states, you could be found more at fault for speeding, even if you weren’t 100% at fault. In states that don’t practice comparative fault, speeding is less of a factor, except as its actions cause an accident.

Accidents caused by speeding can often be resolved in a settlement, as many insurers are less likely to pursue a speeding accident through litigation. Juries are less sympathetic and often award higher dollar amounts if the accident was caused by speeding. However, if you do need to file a lawsuit to resolve a speeding accident, hiring a good Austin car accident attorney can make sure you get the financial recovery you deserve.