The faster a person drives, the less time he or she has to react to dangers, and the more severe a collision will be. It’s no wonder, then, that speeding contributes to thousands of fatal crashes in the United States. Perhaps you were involved in a speeding-related crash in California and managed to survive. In 2018, there were 8,447 speeding-related crashes where someone did not. A total of 9,378 people died in such crashes that year, making up 26% of all traffic deaths.
Younger drivers more likely to speed
The crash data for 2018 showed that the youngest drivers of all, those aged 15 to 20, were most likely to be found speeding at the time of a fatal accident. The percentage came to 30% of male drivers and 18% of female drivers. Those aged 21 to 24 did not fare much better; 29% of men and 14% of women in this group were discovered to be speeding. The percentages shrank with age, but in every age group, men broke the speed limit more than women.
Road conditions and alcohol intoxication
Exceeding the speed limit was not the only speeding offense that the data included. Driving too fast for road conditions is another negligent act that can open the way to a crash. In 2018, 45% of crashes that took place on roads with dirt, gravel or mud involved speeding. Speeding was behind 41% of crashes on icy or frosty roads and 37% of accidents on roads with standing or moving water.
Alcohol impairment often went hand in hand with speeding in 2018. Among the speeding drivers involved in a fatal crash and aged 25 to 44, 42% were discovered to have been impaired. Drivers between the ages of 55 and 64 came in second at 32%.
A lawyer to help you move forward
You incurred a personal injury at the hands of a speeding driver and are wondering how to seek compensation. It will entail filing a claim against the other side’s auto insurance company, so you may want legal representation. A lawyer may be able to help you build up the case and negotiate for a reasonable settlement.