October 17, 2023
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There are a number of factors that can contribute to the severity of a car accident in New York. For example, the involvement of a large truck, seat belt usage, and alcohol consumption or drug use can all influence the level of injuries sustained by the parties involved in the car accident.
Although it is often viewed as comparatively less risky, speeding is actually commonly associated with severe New York car accidents. Many drivers engage in this dangerous behavior with some regularity, putting themselves and others at risk of devastating injuries in a speeding car accident.
Serious speeding car accident injuries can interfere with your ability to work, harming your job performance and jeopardizing your financial stability. The limitations imposed by your injury can also lower your quality of life and prevent you from accomplishing everyday tasks.
The car accident attorneys of Cellino Law can help you recover fair compensation for these costs, as well as other expenses like medical bills in a personal injury lawsuit. Schedule a free consultation with our team when you give us a call at (888) 888-8888 or contact us through our online form today.
Speeding Frequently Plays a Role in Fatal Car Accidents
Not only does speeding increase the risk of a car accident occurring, but it also increases the level of damage inflicted in a collision. The NHTSA reports that speeding was a factor in at least 29% of fatal car accidents in 2021, a statistic that has been consistent for about two decades.
Driving above the posted speed limit gives drivers less time and space to react to obstacles in their path, such as a pedestrian in a crosswalk or a motorcyclist changing lanes. In effect, the force of the impact is greater and the injuries are more extensive.
According to AAA, “a pedestrian struck by a person driving 30 mph is 75 percent more likely to be seriously injured or killed than a pedestrian hit at 20 mph.” Unfortunately, this scenario has played out thousands of times. In 2021, 12,330 people were killed in speeding car accidents.
Speeding also works against the stability of the car, which can make it more difficult for the driver to handle tight turns or curves without losing control or even rolling over. Additionally, in a speed-related car crash, protective equipment, like airbags and seatbelts, is rendered less effective.
Understanding Why New York Drivers Break the Speed Limit
Most of us are guilty of occasionally traveling over the speed limit, even if it’s by a few miles per hour. Typically, we justify this by comparing ourselves to more aggressive speeders, or by rationalizing that we speed so infrequently that it doesn’t really matter. However, it only takes a second for a speeding driver to cause a devastating New York car accident.
Common reasons for speeding include:
- Running late to work, school, or an event
- Frustration with traffic congestion
- Driver was distracted and failed to notice that they were speeding
- Incorrectly assumed it was safe to speed on an empty road
- Driver enjoyed being able to get away with breaking the speed limit
The irony is that speeding is generally ineffective; researchers estimate that it only reduces your trip by an average of thirty seconds to two minutes, which is hardly worth the tradeoff of inflicting catastrophic injuries, killing another road user, or winding up in the hospital yourself.
How New York is Trying to Reduce Speeding-Related Fatalities in Car Accidents
New York is on par with the rest of the nation in terms of the frequency of speed-related car accidents. To combat this, law enforcement and local governments have ramped up their efforts to deter speeders. Their work has focused on a combination of prevention and punishment.
For example, New York City has been working to implement Vision Zero, a program designed to reduce the number of traffic fatalities to zero. This multifaceted approach includes:
- Lowering speed limits from 30 m.p.h. to 25 m.p.h.
- Adding traffic cameras throughout the city
- Modifying the traffic landscape to force cars to slow down, such as raising crosswalks
- Adding bike lanes
- Creating harsher penalties for traffic violations
The city is also employing more creative methods to reduce speeding. A new, targeted media campaign consisting of billboards, social media content, and ads on television and in print depicts slow-motion videos or images of pedestrians and cyclists being hit by speeding cars to emphasize the dangers of this behavior.
Why You Should Choose the Car Accident Attorneys of Cellino Law
To have the best chance of maximizing your compensation in a New York personal injury claim, you need to hire a speeding car accident attorney who has the capacity and resources to properly represent your claim. At Cellino Law, our team of expert personal injury attorneys are recognized experts with a reputation for excellence.
For over 65 years, the Cellino family has advocated for injured New Yorkers. This has yielded impressive results and made us one of the most trusted names in New York personal injury law. You can expect high-caliber, diligent service from our award-winning speeding car accident lawyers.
Contact Cellino Law About Your New York Speeding Car Accident Lawsuit Today
New Yorkers who have been seriously injured in a car accident caused by a speeding driver, or lost a loved one in a speed-related crash, may be entitled to recover compensation for damages like medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and wrongful death.
Our team at Cellino Law can offer you robust legal support and protect your rights as you navigate the personal injury claims process. We will collect evidence of the speeding driver’s negligence and the severity of your injuries, establish a case that meets the burden of proof, and negotiate strategically to secure compensation for your damages.
Give us a call at (888) 888-8888 or contact us through our online form today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced New York car accident attorney. We can provide clarity on what to expect from the claims process and explain how our service can benefit your claim.
Content checked by the personal injury attorney Ross Cellino. As a family man and a trial attorney, I pride myself on winning cases and serving the community. With over 35 years of experience, I understand the function of a jury, how juries arrive at conclusions, and the role that the jury plays in administering justice. I know how to win cases. You can find us in Manhattan, Buffalo, Melville, Rochester, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and other locations throughout New York.