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The dangers posed by speeding

On Behalf of | Mar 2, 2021 | Personal Injury |

Driving fast can be exhilarating. It also seems, at the time, like a great way to get where you need to be on time. However, the truth is that speed contributes to the seriousness of accidents. High-speed crashes are much more likely to seriously injure or kill passengers when compared to lower-speed collisions. Drivers in central Texas need to understand the risks of speeding on the roads.

What can happen to a speeding car

Knowledge is power. Understanding the risks of speeding can help drivers to be more mindful of their actions. For example, it’s important to understand the relationship between speed and force. Force is mass times acceleration. Knowing that one equation makes it clear that the impact of high-speed crashes can be very serious. Beyond that, the statistics demonstrate it.

Younger drivers are more likely to speed than experienced drivers. In 2018, over a quarter of deadly car accidents involved at least one party driving over the speed limit. When a car speeds up, stopping distance doesn’t follow the proportions of the speed. If a car goes from 30 to 60 mph, for example, the stopping distance of the car doesn’t double. Instead, it quadruples.

Drivers who speed often have difficulty understanding this effect of their actions. They aren’t necessarily increasing stopping distance. Some even tailgate. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident where speed was a factor, contact a lawyer. An attorney who has experience with personal injury cases may be able to help you get the damages you deserve. What’s more, most lawyers take those cases on a contingency basis. That means they don’t get paid unless their clients get a settlement.