Deadly traffic accidents on America’s roads, particularly those located in Nevada, kill hundreds of people every year. National statistics show that 27% of fatal traffic accidents can account for speeding as the main cause of the crash. In numerous more car accidents, speeding plays at least a contributing role to the collision. Below we will take a closer look at the role speeding plays in deadly car accidents and the legal rights of the survivors of a victim who is killed in a speed-related collision.
Speeding Statistics
Speeding happens when a driver goes too fast for the conditions of the road or exceeds the posted speed limit. Unfortunately, speeding is a common practice on America’s roads. A recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study of 12 million vehicles reported that two-thirds of all the cars observed in the study were exceeding the speed limit. Moreover, 70% of vehicles observed on the highway exceeded the posted speed limit; one in five exceeded the speed limit by 10 milers per hour or more. The results of this study, which was conducted in 2018, was significantly similar to those revealed in a prior study conducted six years earlier. Despite public awareness campaigns and crackdowns by law enforcement, as recently as 2017 nearly 38,000 people died in traffic-related accidents due to speeding.
Dangers of Speeding
Speeding is a major contributing factor in at least one fourth of all traffic accident-related deaths, according to a report issued by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). That being said, speeding often goes unreported in many car accidents because of other factors contributing to the collision such as driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, distracted drivers, and other causes. Indeed, if more than 50% of all vehicles traveling on American roads at any given time are exceeding the posted speed limit, then speeding is likely contributing to more than one quarter of all fatal car crashes.
Not surprisingly, speeding increases the risk of a traffic related fatality. There are many reasons why. First, speeding makes accidents more likely. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the less time drivers have to react and the longer distance the car needs to come to a controlled stop. Speeding also increases the driver’s risk of losing control of the vehicle. Second, the faster the vehicle is going the harder the impact when a crash happens. The harder the impact, the less effective the car’s crash safety features — like seatbelts, crumple zones, and airbags — are in preventing a fatality.
Despite the above dangers, drivers are constantly speeding on American roadways. No matter the reason behind the speeding, it is important to know that driving too fast can have legal — including criminal and civil — as well as financial consequences. While the law mandates that all drivers carry auto insurance to cover damages in the event of a crash, the coverage may not be enough and still does not relieve an at-fault driver of their legal responsibility.
Our Lawyers Can Help
Nevada car accidents can create complication and tragedy, particularly if the crash results in fatalities. The skilled personal injury attorneys at H&P Law understand how difficult this situation can be. Our lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve, in or out of the courtroom. Contact our Las Vegas or Henderson office today to schedule your initial case evaluation.
