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Speed is one of the most significant factors in how severe a car accident turns out to be, and it is often one of the first things insurance companies and attorneys examine when evaluating a personal injury claim. Law enforcement and personal injury lawyers will both evaluate speed into their report.
Ajlouny Injury Law’s team of personal injury attorneys represent accident victims throughout New York City. Call us today at (516) 535-5555 to discuss your situation and find out how speed and other factors may affect your claim.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, speed plays a critical role in both the likelihood of a crash occurring and the severity of the injuries that result. Higher speeds change the physics of a collision in ways that make injuries more severe and outcomes more dangerous across the board.
The force generated in a collision increases significantly as speed increases, meaning a crash at higher speeds delivers substantially more force to the vehicles and occupants involved. This increased force is directly connected to more severe injuries, including head injuries and spinal cord injuries, compared to a similar collision occurring at a lower speed.
Higher speeds reduce a driver’s ability to maintain control of their vehicle, particularly when reacting to sudden hazards, sharp turns, or changing road conditions. This loss of control can turn what might have been a minor, avoidable incident into a serious collision, including a T-bone collision or a multi-vehicle crash.
As speed increases, the time a driver has to react to a hazard decreases substantially. This reduced reaction time is a major contributing factor in speed-related crashes, since even a well-attentive driver may simply not have enough time to brake or maneuver safely at higher speeds.
Being at or above the speed limit at the time of an accident does not automatically mean you are at fault for causing it. Fault in an accident depends on whose negligent actions actually caused the collision, and it is possible for another driver to bear primary responsibility even if you were speeding at the time. Depending on the specific facts, your own rate of speed could still be considered as a factor in determining overall fault, which is why a careful review of the circumstances matters.
Several parties could potentially bear responsibility for a speed-related accident, depending on the specific facts involved.
If another driver’s negligence, such as running a red light, failing to yield, or driving recklessly, caused or contributed to the crash, that driver may bear liability regardless of your own speed at the time.
In some cases, a vehicle defect, such as a braking system failure or a tire malfunction, may have contributed to a driver’s inability to avoid a collision. When a defect plays a role, the vehicle manufacturer could potentially share liability for the resulting accident.
Poorly designed roads, malfunctioning traffic signals, or inadequate signage can sometimes contribute to accidents, particularly at intersections or in high-speed corridors. In these situations, a city or municipality responsible for maintaining the roadway may share liability, though claims against government entities often involve additional legal requirements and shorter deadlines.
Strong evidence can play a significant role in supporting a personal injury claim involving a speed-related accident. Helpful evidence may include:
Gathering and preserving this evidence promptly can meaningfully strengthen a claim, particularly since some evidence, such as surveillance footage, may not remain available indefinitely.
After a speed-related accident, there are a few common missteps worth avoiding:
Taking the right steps early can help protect both your health and the strength of your claim going forward.
An experienced personal injury attorney at Ajlouny Injury Law can help investigate the circumstances of a speed-related accident, gather and preserve important evidence, and identify which parties may be liable for your injuries.
This is particularly valuable in cases involving a car accident, a rear-end accident, or a truck or commercial vehicle collision, where speed often plays a central role in how the crash occurred. In cases involving especially severe outcomes, our team also handles catastrophic injury claims and, when necessary, wrongful death cases.
At Ajlouny Injury Law, we take the time to listen to your situation and build a strategy tailored to your specific circumstances, rather than treating your case like just another file. We offer free consultations directly with an attorney, with no obligation and no pressure, so you can get honest answers about your options before deciding how to move forward.
If you have been injured in an accident involving speed, do not wait to get legal guidance. Contact us at (516) 535-5555 for a consultation, and let our team help you understand your rights and next steps.
