(300+)Hurt in a motor vehicle crash that involved a speeding vehicle? You are certainly not alone. Speed is one of the most commonly cited factors in traffic collisions. Not only does speed increase the risk of accidents, but it also increases the likelihood of serious injuries. At Gibbons & Crichton, we handle all types of speed-related car wreck claims. Here, our Philadelphia car accident attorney provides an overview of speeding crashes in Pennsylvania.
Car Accidents Caused By Speeding Can Result in Catastrophic Injuries
Speeding is dangerous. A crash caused by a speeding driver has the potential to result in serious, catastrophic, or even life-altering injuries. The faster a vehicle is travelling, the more force it carries. That can make resulting crashes especially harmful. Some of the most common injuries that happen in speed-related crashes include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): High-speed impacts cause major damage to the brain. A TBI can cause cognitive impairment, memory loss, or permanent disability.
- Spinal Cord Damage: Excessive speed increases the likelihood of vertebral fractures and spinal cord damage. Unfortunately, that can result in partial or total paralysis.
- Multiple Orthopedic Fractures: Speeding crashes frequently cause compound fractures involving the pelvis, femur, or multiple limbs, often requiring surgical fixation.
- Internal Organ Damage: Blunt-force trauma at high speeds can rupture organs such as the liver, spleen, or lungs, creating life-threatening internal bleeding.
- Severe Burn Injuries: High-speed collisions raise the risk of post-impact fires or fuel-related explosions, leading to deep tissue burns.
- Death: Speeding significantly increases fatality rates, especially in urban corridors where pedestrians and cyclists are present.
Personal Injury Tip: Injured victims in speed-related crashes in Pennsylvania need immediate medical attention. If you were hurt in a traffic collision, you should see a doctor right away. Without medical records, you will not be able to bring a claim for financial compensation.
An Overview of the Risk: Speeding Car Accidents
Speed is one of the most common factors in motor vehicle crashes. According to data cited by the National Safety Council (NSC), speeding is a cause of around one in three deadly crashes in the United States. Notably, statewide crash data collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation consistently finds that speeding is a leading contributing factor in serious injury and fatal motor vehicle collisions in the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania crash data also shows that speeding is disproportionately associated with severe outcomes. While many low-speed collisions result in property damage only, speeding crashes are far more likely to cause hospitalizations or death. The risk increases further when speeding combines with other factors such as distracted driving, impaired driving, or aggressive lane changes. The bottom line is that speeding crashes are both common and dangerous.
Speeding is Per Se Negligence in Pennsylvania
Under Pennsylvania law, speeding can constitute negligence per se when it involves a violation of the Motor Vehicle Code. In other words, a driver who exceeds posted speed limits or drives at an unsafe speed for conditions violates statutory duties imposed for public safety. When that statutory violation causes injury, that is negligence.
Pennsylvania courts recognize negligence per se where four elements are met. The statute must clearly apply to the defendant’s conduct. The statute must exist to protect a specific class of persons. The plaintiff must fall within that protected class. The statutory violation must cause the harm suffered. Speeding accidents meet these requirements.
With that being said, a finding of negligence per se for speeding does not automatically resolve a case. The injured party must still prove causation and damages. Still, establishing a statutory violation shifts the focus of the litigation. Instead of debating whether the driver acted reasonably, the analysis centers on whether the speeding caused the crash and the extent of harm.
Note: Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence standard (42 P.S. § 7102). An injured person may recover damages so long as their share of fault does not exceed fifty percent. In speeding cases, defendants often attempt to shift blame onto the victim to reduce their liability.
Recovering Compensation for Speeding Car Accidents
Hurt in a crash with a speeding driver? You have the right to seek compensation for the full value of your damages, including for any non-economic losses. How much you can expect to recover through a claim is highly fact-specific. Do not rely on any insurance company to willingly step up and pay you the full and fair financial support that you deserve. Our Philadelphia auto accident lawyer can help. Along with other damages, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for:
- Vehicle repairs/replacement;
- Ambulance transportation costs;
- Emergency room care;
- Hospital bills and other medical costs;
- Physical therapy;
- Loss of current and future wages;
- Pain and suffering and mental distress;
- Long-term physical disability; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
Why Trust Our Philadelphia Speeding Accident Attorney
Speeding can cause serious, even catastrophic wrecks. Following a speed-related crash, injured victims must have reliable legal representation. You do not have to take on the claims process alone.
At Gibbons & Crichton, we have the experience that you and your family can trust. Big insurance companies must be held accountable. They should not be able to get away with paying injured victims less than full and fair financial compensation. Our case results and client testimonials tell the story best. We put your best interests first. With a law office located in Philadelphia (19103), we are well-positioned to handle speeding accident injury claims throughout the broader region in Pennsylvania. Your initial consultation is free and completely confidential.
Contact Our Philadelphia Speeding Accident Lawyer Today
At Gibbons & Crichton, Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, our Philadelphia car accident attorney is an aggressive advocate for justice.
If you were hurt in a speed-related crash, we are here to help. Call us now or contact us online for a free, no obligation initial consultation. With an office in Philadelphia, we handle sleeping crash claims throughout the area, including in the zip codes of 19103, 19120, 19111, 19149, and 19134.
