At Ashby Thelen Lowry, our Georgia vehicle collision attorneys know that negligence leads to traffic crashes throughout the state every day.
Last year, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health, motor vehicle crashes were the second leading cause of injury deaths, hospitalizations, and ER visits throughout the state.
According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, of the 1,797 vehicle fatalities that occurred in traffic collisions last year, 369 involved a speeding driver.
Here, our personal injury attorneys discuss why speeding is a contributing factor in car crashes and who can be held liable when someone is injured or killed because of these negligent actions.
Why Speeding Plays a Significant Role in Georgia Car Crashes
Speeding significantly increases the risk of vehicle collisions in Georgia for several reasons, yet drivers continue to prioritize getting to their destination over safety when they get behind the wheel.
Speeding contributes to vehicle collisions in Georgia due to:
- Reduced Reaction Time
When a driver speeds, he or she has less time to react to unexpected situations on the road, like sudden stops, changing traffic conditions, or the actions of other drivers. This reduced reaction time increases the likelihood of collisions, particularly when quick maneuvers are necessary to avoid crashes.
- Increased Stopping Distance
Speeding increases the distance required for a vehicle to come to a complete stop. As a result, speeding drivers may be unable to stop in time to avoid colliding with obstacles, cars, or pedestrians in their path, especially in congested traffic or adverse weather conditions.
- Loss of Vehicle Control
Speeding reduces the driver’s ability to maintain vehicle control, particularly when navigating curves, turns, or uneven road surfaces. Excessive speed can cause vehicles to skid, slide, or roll over, increasing the risk of collisions, particularly on winding roads or highways with sharp curves.
- Reduced Visibility and Perception
Speeding can reduce a driver’s ability to perceive and react to hazards on the road, like pedestrians, cyclists, or obstacles in their path. This can increase the risk of collisions, particularly in urban areas with heavy pedestrian traffic or residential neighborhoods where children may be present.
- Difficulty Judging Distance and Speed
Speeding can impair a driver’s ability to accurately judge distances, speeds, and the movements of other vehicles on the road. This can lead to misjudgments, errors in judgment, and risky maneuvers that increase the likelihood of collisions, particularly when changing lanes or merging into traffic.
Unfortunately, collisions at higher speeds often result in more severe injuries and property damage than those at lower speeds. The force of impact is more significant in high-speed collisions, increasing the likelihood of serious injuries or fatalities to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians involved.
Because speeding is a violation of traffic laws in Georgia, the result of these crashes stems from negligence, which means the driver can be held liable for the injured party or the surviving family member’s total compensation needs. We can help.
If you have been injured by a speeding driver in Georgia, contact our skilled personal injury lawyers and support team at Ashby Thelen Lowry today at (404) 777-7771 to schedule a free consultation to ensure your rights are protected so you can make informed decisions about the direction of your claim.