Our federal and state governments compile traffic safety rules and display signs, particularly concerning speed limits, in appropriate places on our highways with the aim of protecting all road users. They offer a sense of order and stop drivers from making the wrong decisions when behind the wheel of their autos that might endanger others. If we were all perfect law abiding people we would make a note of these rules and restrictions and in all probability accidents would not occur so frequently.

Many speeding drivers just think about their fine

However, in reality we are not as thoughtful as governments may hope and road rules are ignored and disobeyed frequently increasing the likelihood of a serious accident. Most drivers who choose to ignore speed limits only really worry about being pursued by a police car and being booked for their lack of obedience. Often a speeding driver fails to realize that he or she might be the sole cause of an auto accident.

Most drivers who take the risk and disobey safe speed limits could have a serious effect on themselves and other road users. Once a driver goes over the safe speed limit, the consequences could be quite serious due to:

• more force that takes place on impact in the case of a crash
• the inability to adequately handle a vehicle if sudden action has to be taken
• limited overall control of the vehicle
• a reduction in the period of time that is necessary to respond to any incident that might take place out on the road.

Consequences of a speeding accident

These risk factors are inevitably the cause of many road accidents that take place due to speeding and are preventable. If an accident does take place, the chances are that serious injuries could be the result such as:

• brain injury
• spinal cord injury
• broken bones
• back injury

All these injuries, whether the victim is the driver of the vehicle or another road user, can be life changing and might not only require a stay in hospital but entail special treatment and care for the rest of the victim’s life.

Some injuries can be a life long burden

This situation will place a heavy financial burden on the victim and his or her family when an income earner could be lost forever and ongoing round the clock care is required.

Any victim of a speeding accident has the legal right to claim compensation for personal injuries from the driver who was at fault. A compensation package includes money to cover additional medical expenses, wages lost now and into the future and an amount for the distress caused to the victim as a result of an accident that was not their fault.

If you have been involved in an accident involving a speeding auto driver, which was not your fault, contact an accident lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you put a claim in motion after an accident, the more likely you will be successful.