Car Accidents Caused by Speeding in Colorado Springs
Life is busy. However, getting from point A to Point B should never endanger the lives of others. Unfortunately, speeding threatens the lives of Colorado Springs drivers every day. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 9,478 lives were cut short due to speeding in one recent year. Those who survive speeding accidents often face futures that are forever changed. Injuries can be debilitating, and so can the medical bills that result from the crash.
Unfortunately, holding reckless drivers accountable for their dangerous actions can be challenging. Furthermore, the process of filing an injury claim can be complex and time-consuming. In addition, the process of negotiating with an insurer can make a victim feel like full and fair compensation is out of their reach.
I am Jeffrey Lasswell, an aggressive Colorado Springs car accident attorney who has experience helping Colorado Springs speeding victims recover the money they deserve. If you were hurt in a crash caused by speeding and need skilled legal representation, contact our firm today. We offer free and confidential consultations and can help you understand the legal options available.
How Speeding Impacts an Accident
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that speeding has been responsible for about one-third of traffic fatalities over the past two decades. Speeding deaths outnumber any other cause of traffic deaths, including distracted driving.
Many drivers fail to understand that speeding endangers not just their own lives but the lives of everyone else on the road. Speeding is a form of reckless driving that can increase the chances of a collision occurring. First, speeding can significantly impact a driver’s ability to maintain control of their vehicle. A speeding vehicle can be much more difficult to maneuver and control, especially when the unexpected happens, like a sudden downpour or when a car in front suddenly stops.
Speeding also makes it more difficult to brake effectively. It is estimated that an average car going 40 miles per hour needs an overall stopping distance of 139 feet. At 70 miles per hour, that distance increases to 348 feet. The larger and heavier the vehicles, the more time and distance it will take to stop the vehicle.
When an accident does occur, speeding can greatly increase the amount of damage caused by the crash. The force of a collision increases exponentially with speed. A crash at 25 miles per hour could cause substantial damage. Yet, a crash at only 35 miles per hour is going to be twice as strong, even though a car is only traveling 40 percent faster. A collision at speeds of 75 miles per hour is going to be a staggering nine times as strong as a collision at 25 miles per hour. The force of impact with a speeding vehicle causes greater physical damage and more significant physical injuries to victims.
Injuries in a Speeding-Related Accident
Since the impact caused by a speeding collision can be so enormous, those involved in these accidents frequently sustain serious injuries. Some of the most common injuries suffered in Colorado Springs speeding accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Broken bones
- Organ injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Facial and dental injuries
- Burns
- Whiplash
- Lacerations
- Contusions
These injuries can alter a victim’s life and be extremely expensive to treat. An experienced Colorado Springs speeding accident attorney can provide valuable legal advice and help accident victims seek the compensation they need to recover financially and physically.
Colorado Springs Speeding Accident Laws
When a driver is given a citation for speeding, it can result in penalty points being applied to their driver’s license. Depending on how fast a person is traveling, law enforcement can also issue speeding violations. These violations can result in a Class A traffic infraction or Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor infraction.
Speeding is defined as traveling above what is prudent or reasonable or over the maximum lawful speed of 75 miles per hour. Here is how the system works:
- Driving 1 to 4 mph over
- Fine of $30
- Driving 5 to 9 mph over
- Fine of $70
- Driving 10 to 19 mph over
- Fine of $135
- Driving 20 to 24 mph over
- Fine of $200
- Driving 25 mph or over
- Fines from $150 up to $1,000
- Jail time of ten days to one year
These violations also result in points being added to an individual’s license. One point is assigned for going 5 to 9 mph over the speed limit. Four points are assigned for traveling 10 to 19 mph over the speed limit. Six points are assigned for going 20 to 39 mph over the speed limit. Depending on the driver’s age, certain amounts of points accumulated on an individual’s license over 12 months can result in loss of driving privileges and other penalties.
Colorado law also dictates that any individual involved in an accident must report the crash if there are serious injuries or any type of property damage.
Proving Liability in a Speeding Accident
To prove liability in any car accident case, you must establish that the other driver was negligent. All drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and reasonably. When a driver chooses to speed, they may be seen as violating that duty. Proving that a driver was speeding and that their speeding caused the accident and your injuries can be challenging, but doing so is important for your case.
An attorney can be a valuable asset. They can investigate the circumstances of an accident and recover evidence to help prove the other driver was negligent and speeding at the time of the crash. This evidence may include police reports, witness statements, surveillance video, expert testimony, medical records, and more.
Help for Victims of Speeding-Related Accidents
If you have been involved in an accident with a speeding driver, do not hesitate to contact an experienced Colorado Springs speeding accident attorney. An attorney can help you build a compelling case to help you seek full and fair compensation for your injuries.
I, Jeffrey Scott Lasswell, am an experienced Colorado Springs speeding accident lawyer who knows how to mount a successful accident injury claim. I used to work for insurance companies, so I know how they work and how they try to minimize your claim. I can fight back and protect your rights. If you want more information about how to increase your chances of recovering maximum compensation, contact our offices today. The initial case evaluation is free.