Whether it’s driving above the posted speed limit, drag racing, or simply driving too fast for road conditions, speeding is dangerous and causes car accidents on a daily basis in Menifee and the rest of Southern California. According to the CHP, speeding is second most common reasons accidents, especially serious and fatal ones, occur. The NHTSA reported that in 2018 speeding killed 9,378 people and was a contributing factor to 26% of all fatal traffic accidents nationwide. The government has put laws in place to protect people by requiring motorists operate no faster than the posted speed, but for a variety of reasons far too many people disregard these laws. This negligent behavior endangers public safety, so a speeding collision and any harm resulting from a speed-related crash may entitle the victim to compensation for damages. If you are involved in a car accident involving excessive speed it is advisable to consult with an experienced Lake Elsinore speeding collision attorney without delay.
How Does Speeding Contribute to Collisions? Whether it’s done in an attempt to escape traffic congestion, running late, or just a bold disregard for the law and others’ safety, speeding affects safe operation of a vehicle and is a factor in many motor vehicle accidents. As a driver increases their speed, it:
- Decreases motorist’s reaction time.
- Reduced the effectiveness of occupant protection equipment.
- Increases the distance needed to stop a vehicle once the driver begins braking.
- Increases the possibility of losing control of the vehicle.
- Decreases the time a driver has to spot hazards and take evasive or defensive maneuvers.
Additionally, speeding increases the severity of crash severity due to increased force involved. Studies show even a 5-mile-per-hour increase in the speed limit increases fatalities by 8%. This results in greater fatal injury potential and more injuries when an accident occurs.
Risk Factors for Speeding Collisions in Lake Elsinore Lake Elsinore has seen a population explosion in recent years and now counts over 66,000 people as residents. Close to the busy 15 freeway, it’s located close to many major cities in Southern California and attracts numerous visitors to its lake, biking trails, and resorts. The number of motorists that use the freeway and city streets to visit the town, commute to work, and go about their daily lives makes it no surprise there’s a large population of motorists at risk for speeding collisions and resulting injuries. Traffic from these motorists often contributes to aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding in an attempt to reach their destination more quickly.
In 2016, the California Office of Traffic Safety reported 312 traffic-related injuries and fatalities in the area; 79 of them were attributed to speed. The area is also popular with motorists and motorcyclists eager to take advantage of the scenic roads in the more remote areas, which may encourage disregard for the speed limit due to the lack of traffic congestion and raise the risk of collision, injury, and death
Can I Win My Speeding Collision Case? If you’ve been injured in a Lake Elsinore speeding collision, it’s only right that you want compensation for what’s happened to you. Usually, victims seek recovery by filing suit and claiming they deserve an award for injuries inflicted due to someone else’s negligence. Proving negligence means establishing that a defendant owed you a legal duty of care, breached it by acting or failing to act when they should, and the breach resulted in your harms.
California also allows victims to establish a presumption of negligence by proving someone broke a law or violated a regulation designed to protect people and in doing so caused your injuries. Speed limits are in place to keep people safe, so proving another driver was speeding at the time of the collision creates the strong presumption they were acting negligently. Traffic cameras, accident reports, eyewitness accounts, and evidence at the scene such as skid marks can all help to establish drivers’ speeds and prove negligent behavior that can’t be ignored.
What Can I Recover for My Injuries? After a victim shows someone was liable for their injuries, the court may award them damages they can prove. Some damages are meant to make a victim whole for the harm they suffered – these compensatory damages may be for both concrete, demonstrable injuries as well as more abstract harms reflecting psychological, mental, and emotional trauma from the speeding collision. It’s possible to see awards for:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
- Funeral costs
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium.
Sometimes, the negligent party’s conduct was so egregious that courts may award victims additional damages to punish their vile, reprehensible behavior. It’s hard to get an award for punitive damages because of the high burden of proof, so its advisable to work with an experienced Lake Elsinore speeding collision attorney to avoid costly legal pitfalls in your case.
Speak to an Attorney Today If you or a loved one were part of a car accident where speeding was a contributing factor, you know firsthand how a split second can turn your world upside down. It can take months or years to recover from your injuries. To make sure you protect your rights and take the right first steps in seeking recovery for your injuries, contact the experienced Lake Elsinore speeding collision attorneys at Walton Law, APC today. Our attorneys have been giving professional, aggressive representation to victims just like you and delivering results; we’ve recovered millions of dollars in compensation on their behalf. Contact us today to schedule your no risk, no obligation initial case consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866)-338-7079 or through our online Contact Page. Your initial case evaluation is free, and you pay nothing until we win your case. Let our skilled team of attorneys review the facts of your case and fight to secure the maximum possible recovery for you so you can get your life back on track.