According to the Highway Safety Office of the Arkansas State Police, speeding is a major contributing factor in auto accidents across the state. When drivers exceed the posted speed limit or drive too fast under the circumstances, they have less control over their vehicles and less reaction time.
If a speeding driver caused your injuries, you might have the right to pursue compensation through an insurance or personal injury claim. Attorney Tim Reed of the Reed Firm has extensive experience successfully representing victims of car accidents throughout Little Rock, Arkansas, and the surrounding areas. He will listen to the facts of your case and help you understand your case’s value. Contact the Reed Firm today to schedule a free case evaluation.
How Does Speeding Cause Car Accidents?
There are several ways speeding can increase the likelihood of a car accident. For example, speeding increases the chance that a driver will lose control of his or her vehicle. Speeding also reduces the amount of time a driver has to avoid hazards on the road and react to dangerous situations to prevent an accident.
Who Is Most Likely to Be Involved in a Speeding Accident?
Anyone can be involved in a car accident involving speeding, but certain groups are more likely to speed. In Arkansas, young drivers and male drivers are more likely to speed than other groups. Further, speeding accidents can happen just about anywhere in Arkansas, from Little Rock to Fayetteville, on country roads and busy interstates. Every day, speeding-related accidents happen on Arkansas’s busy freeways and roads, including the following:
- Interstate 30
- Interstate 40
- Interstate 55
- Interstate 430
- Interstate 530
- Interstate 540
Proving Liability in a Speeding Accident
Whether you pursue a claim for compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance policy or a personal injury lawsuit, you will need to prove liability. Under Arkansas law, drivers are liable, or financially responsible, for accidents caused by their negligence. Negligence means the failure to use reasonable care under the circumstances to prevent injuries. In other words, as long as you can show that the speeding driver caused the car accident that resulted in your injuries, he or she will be responsible for your damages.
The best way to prove liability is to discuss your case with an experienced attorney who can begin gathering and analyzing evidence in your case. The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more difficult it can be to gather that evidence. Witnesses may begin to forget what happened, and physical evidence may no longer be available if you wait too long.
Reckless Driving Laws in Arkansas
Reckless driving is defined as driving with a willful or wanton disregard for others’ safety. Though there may be some overlap, reckless driving is generally considered more serious than speeding, which is defined as driving at a higher speed than reasonable and prudent under the circumstances.
As the plaintiff in a lawsuit, if you can prove that the driver was engaged in reckless driving through excessive speeding, you could potentially recover additional punitive damages. Even if the driver is not charged with or convicted of reckless driving, you still have the right to pursue a lawsuit against the driver in civil court.
How Does Speeding Affect Crash Injuries?
When a driver is using excessive speed, it is more likely that victims will suffer serious injuries. The faster vehicles travel, the more forceful the collision. When a vehicle safety system cannot absorb all of the energy from the crash, the force is transferred to the victim’s body and increases the likelihood of serious injuries.
Speeding accidents cause a significant number of fatal accidents every year. When a speeding driver strikes a bicyclist, pedestrian, or another driver, the impact can cause the following types of severe injuries:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord damage
- Multiple fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Soft tissue injury
These types of injuries can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars or even over a million dollars of medical expenses over a person’s lifetime. As a plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit, you can pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other damages.
The Benefits of Working with a Skilled Speeding Accident Attorney
Attorney Tim Reed of the Reed Firm has the experience and resources necessary to provide you with top-notch legal representation. When you work with the Reed Firm, you can rest assured that we will conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether the other driver’s speeding contributed to your injuries.
During the investigation, we will gather multiple pieces of evidence supporting your case, and we may consult with experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists. These experts can help us look at the evidence to determine if speeding played a role in your crash. Our goal is to collect evidence and present this information during negotiation and/or litigation to pursue the most compensation for your claim.
Discuss Your Case with a Little Rock Personal Injury Attorney
It can be difficult for speeding accident victims to obtain the full and fair amount of compensation they need and deserve. Insurance companies may try to blame you for the accident and deny your claim for compensation. Working with an attorney can significantly increase your chances of prevailing and obtaining the compensation you deserve. Attorney Tim Reed has a proven track record of successfully obtaining compensation for car accident victims. Contact the Reed Firm today to schedule a free case evaluation if you’ve been injured in a speeding car accident.