Shreveport Injury Lawyer > Blog > Auto Accident > Speed is a Major Factor in Motor Vehicle Injuries

Speed is a Major Factor in Motor Vehicle Injuries

Whether you are driving on an urban or suburban street in or around Shreveport, or you are on a rural road elsewhere in Louisiana, speeding can be a major factor in causing a serious or deadly crash. Most drivers know that speeding is dangerous, yet motorists continue to drive at speeds that exceed posted limits or that are too fast given the particular conditions. According to a recent study front he Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), reducing speeds even by a small amount can have a significant impact on crash and injury rates. What do you need to know about speeding and collisions? Consider some of the following information from our Shreveport motor vehicle collision attorneys.

Reducing Speeds Even Slightly Can Have a Big Impact

The recent IIHS study focused on urban and suburban roads and emphasized that speeding is particularly deadly on these kinds of streets. When speeds are reduced even by a limited number, injury risks decline. Indeed, the study determined that “crashes . . . were less likely to cause injuries after [a] city lowered speed limits.”

According to the current IIHS president, “everybody thinks of highways when we talk about speed limits, but reducing speeds on city thoroughfares and residential streets is just as important” given that, across the country, “nearly a third of crash deaths occurred on urban arterials in 2020.” The recent study assessed drops in speed limits by just five miles per hour. A study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety similarly showed that reduced speeds — even when crashes occurred — resulted in fewer injuries to vehicle occupants and pedestrians.

Speeding Can Involve Traveling Below the Posted Speed Limit Under Certain Conditions

Sometimes speeding — and liability for crashes involving speeding — can occur even when a motorist is traveling at a speed below the posted speed limit but is still driving too fast given the conditions. For instance, when roads are in poor condition and a reasonable person would slow down to a speed significantly below the posted speed limit. Or, for example, in a dangerous thunderstorm, caution and reasonableness might necessitate slowing down and traveling at a much lower speed than what is posted. In these types of circumstances, speeding can still be the cause of a crash, and the speeding driver may still be liable.

Generally speaking, after a crash, you may be able to seek compensation by filing an insurance claim or by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver who caused the collision. You should have an attorney assess the details of your case to help you determine your best course of action.

Contact a Car Crash Lawyer in Shreveport Today

Motor vehicle collisions can occur for many different reasons, and speeding is often cited as the leading cause or a contributing factor in wrecks involving cars, trucks, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. When a driver’s speed is a causal factor in a crash that results in injuries, it is essential for the injured person to get started on a claim for compensation. Do not hesitate to contact one of the experienced Shreveport car crash lawyers at Rice & Kendig, LLC to learn more about your options for seeking compensation and how our firm can assist you.

Sources:

iihs.org/news/detail/lowering-speed-limits-makes-seattle-streets-safer

media.acg.aaa.com/aaa-crash-test-study-small-speed-increases-carry-big-consequences.htm

By Rice & Kendig, LLC | Posted on July 25, 2023

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