Southern California drivers are familiar with traffic. So when they travel along an open freeway, it may be more tempting to exceed the speed limit. After all, traveling five or ten miles per hour over the speed limit doesn’t dramatically increase the likelihood of a crash—or does it? Let’s take a look at the relationship between speeding and serious car crash injuries so you can make more informed choices behind the wheel.
Speeding Shortens Reaction Time
The faster you travel, the less time you have to slow down when a hazard arises. Vehicles that travel at higher speeds take longer to slow down, and barriers like guardrails, median dividers, and concrete barriers become less effective in protecting occupants of speeding vehicles. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), speeding contributed to 26 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2019, taking the lives of approximately 25 people per day. Since the pandemic began in 2020, major cities reported an increase in speeding behaviors, which have been linked to more severe injuries and traffic fatalities.
Threatening the Safety of Others
While speeding increases the safety risk for the driver and passengers, a speeding vehicle also threatens others on the road. Pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable to severe injuries and death if struck by a speeding car. Additionally, the faster a vehicle moves, the more likely it is that the car will flip or roll during impact, creating additional hazards to occupants and other cars on the road. When you speed, you put yourself and others at greater risk of long-lasting or even permanent injuries.
Prioritizing Safety in Riverside County
Even though you may follow all safety precautions, accidents still happen. If you’ve suffered an auto accident injury in Temecula or Murrieta, you have the right to pursue compensation that can help cover the medical bills, lost wages, and other costs incurred by the accident. While it’s possible to navigate the auto accident claims process on your own, working with a trusted attorney allows you to continue focusing on your physical recovery. Let your attorney negotiate a favorable settlement while you work on getting your life back on track.
If you need help collecting compensation following an auto accident in Temecula or Murrieta, call Hales & Associates, A Professional Law Corporation, today at (951) 489-3320 to get started.