What Should I Do if a High-Speed Driver Caused Major Injuries?
Speeding is one of the most common causes of serious, yet preventable, car accidents. In addition to being a traffic violation, speeding can increase the severity of a car accident due to the extreme force of impact. All motorists are responsible for obeying the rules of the road, which includes following the speed limit at all times. Unfortunately, too many motorists routinely exceed the speed limit despite the known dangers, including the increased risk of a high-speed collision. If you or someone you know suffered a serious injury in a car accident that was caused by another motorist who was speeding at the time of the accident, do not hesitate to contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Why Is Speeding So Dangerous?
Speed limits are in place to protect you, the other passengers in your vehicle, and other motorists on the road. Motorists have a duty of care to obey the speed limit and avoid other negligent driving behaviors. Exceeding the speed limit, even by five or 10 miles per hour, increases the risk of a car accident and the severity. The faster a car travels, the greater the risk of a serious, potentially fatal car accident.
In addition to the force of impact associated with a speeding-related accident, if a driver is speeding, they have significantly less time to react to other vehicles, sudden changes on the road, or an animal running across the road. Vehicles also need time and adequate road space to safely slow down or come to a complete stop. If a driver is speeding, they may be unable to slow down or stop in time to avoid hitting another vehicle. They may have to slam the brakes, which could cause them to skid and lose control of the car.
What Are the Consequences of Speeding?
All car accidents have the potential to cause injuries and property damage. However, the faster the collision, the more likely it is to result in devastating injuries and fatalities. High-speed car accidents involve extreme force of impact, which can cause severe injuries, including the following:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash and other serious neck injuries
- Arm and chest injuries from the airbags deploying at full force
- Severe lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crush injuries
- Paralysis
- Loss of limb or amputation
- Burns from exploding airbags or fires
- Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
If you were seriously injured in a speeding accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the speeding driver. To reach the best possible outcome, there are steps you should take immediately following the accident, including:
- Call 911 to report the accident and request an ambulance if you are injured.
- Take photos of the accident scene, including the damage to your vehicle, injuries, and debris or skid marks on the road.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
- If there are witnesses who saw the accident, ask if they would be willing to provide a statement and get their contact information.
- Seek immediate medical attention. High-speed car accidents can cause serious injuries, so it is imperative that you are examined by a healthcare professional as soon as possible, even if your injuries do not seem severe or life-threatening. Avoiding or delaying medical attention can cause an undiagnosed injury to become worse. In addition, this can hurt your claim, as the insurance company may argue that your injury must not be severe if you do not find it necessary to seek treatment.
- Contact an experienced car accident lawyer at your earliest convenience.
Our Springfield Car Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Represent Victims of High-Speed Car Accidents
If you were severely injured in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact our Springfield car accident lawyers at Kicklighter Law. To schedule a confidential consultation, call us today at 912-754-6003 or contact us online. Located in Springfield, Georgia, we serve clients in Effingham County, Savannah, and the surrounding areas.