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The role of speed in vehicle crashes

On Behalf of | Jul 25, 2024 | Auto Accidents

Speed limits are a part of everyday life for a motorist. You need to notice when they are changing and ensure you do not go above the particular limit for the road you are on.

The reason for these limits is that speed plays a role in many crashes. The Centers for Disease Prevention (CDC) estimates speed is a factor in a third of road deaths in high-income countries such as the U.S. Without speed limits, more accidents would likely occur. But why is speed such a problem? There are two main reasons:

Less time to react

You see a motorcycle turning out of a side street 100 yards ahead of you. The faster you are going, the sooner you will reach the point where they are. That leaves you less time to notice, them and push the brake pedal. The car will also take longer to stop because of the extra speed you need to shed. That means you are more likely to drive into them than if you were driving more slowly.

A more forceful impact

When two objects collide the speed they were traveling plays a major role in influencing the severity of the crash. If you were to bump the motorcyclist at a final speed of just 5 miles per hour, then they might manage to stay upright. If you hit them while still doing 30 they will be sent sprawling. It’s similar for cars – the faster you hit another car the greater to those inside the two vehicles will usually be.

If you suffer injuries in a collision caused by a speeding driver, then it’s important to remember that things may have been very different if they were going at an appropriate rate. The crash may never have occurred, but if it did, your injuries would likely be less serious.  Learning the steps needed to claim compensation will be essential.