The legal team at Golitko & Daly helps countless clients in and around Indianapolis, IN. Whether it’s a worker harmed at a construction site or people catastrophically injured in motor vehicle accidents, our lawyers are here to help.
It should come as no surprise that speeding is a major factor in many auto accidents. The team at our law firm would like to consider the reasons for speeding, the dangers involved, and what legal options may be available.
Statistics on Speeding and Auto Accidents
According to numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding caused or contributed to 10,111 fatalities in 2016. That makes speeding a factor in 27 percent of all fatal auto accidents.
According to numbers from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 52 percent of the 10,111 traffic fatalities related to speeding occurred on roads with a speed limit below 55 mph.
Why Do People Speed?
There are many reasons why people decide to break the speed limit, and none of them are justified.
- Late for an appointment
- Generally in a hurry
- Trying to beat traffic/congestion
- Disregard for others
- Inattention to road signs
It is important that drivers always observe the speed limit, regardless what sort of streets they are driving on.
Dangers on City Streets
City streets can be extremely busy. Drivers must watch out for fellow motorists as well as pedestrians and bicyclists. Exceeding the speed limit on city streets makes all sorts of collisions more likely. Even speeding through an intersection to beat a yellow light can be deadly.
Dangers Around Suburbs and Rural Areas
In suburbs and rural areas, people may feel emboldened to speed. This is particularly true of rural roads, which may lack stop signs, traffic signals, and the presence of law enforcement. Regardless, speeding in these areas is dangerous. In suburbs, there’s a risk of hitting pets, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others. In rural areas, wild animals may dart across the road, and you could wind up losing control of your vehicle.
Major Hazards Around Schools
Whenever someone is driving around a school, they must slow down. This helps protect children getting to and from the campus. Since crossing guards are not always present, it is up to motorists to remain attentive and make sure the kids are not harmed while they are crossing the road.
Deadliness on Highways
Speeding on the highway is never a good idea. Traveling at excessive speed makes all sorts of collisions more likely, especially when combined with other kinds of reckless behaviors.
According to numbers by the NHTSA and IIHS, 48 percent of fatalities on roads with a speed limit greater than 55 mph were the result of speeding. This fact should help you understand why speeding is so deadly on highways.
Holding Reckless Drivers Accountable
If you or a loved one was harmed by a speeding driver, our lawyers can assist you with a legal claim. We will help seek legal damages against to motorist to cover vehicle damage, medical bills, and other losses. Having an attorney on your side can make a difference whether you settle out of court or go all the way to trial.
Contact the Lawyers of Golitko & Daly
To learn more about your legal options following a motor vehicle collision, we encourage you to contact the attorneys of Golitko & Daly. Our team is here to help you in your time of legal need. You can reach our Indianapolis office by phone at (317) 566-9600, our Kokomo office at (765) 865-9300, and our Bloomington office at (812) 566-2600.