Setareh Law
January 14, 2024
When it comes to car accidents, speed is not just a number. It can mean the difference between a minor fender-bender and a catastrophic accident resulting in severe injuries or even death. Increases in speed amplify both the likelihood of a crash and the destruction it causes. They also impact the determination of who bears the blame in an accident.
Here’s a review of the role that speed plays in car accident cases, along with the role an experienced car accident lawyer from Setareh Law can play in securing compensation for injured crash victims.
The Role of Speed in Car Accidents
Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions significantly raises the likelihood of a car accident. As the speed of a car increases, the time drivers have to respond to driving hazards, such as an unexpected obstacle on the road or another driver’s sudden maneuver, drops. Therefore, the distance needed to come to a controlled stop lengthens. Speeding also compromises vehicle control, making it harder to maneuver swiftly and accurately and heightening the risk of skids, spins, or rollovers. These factors combine to elevate the risk of a crash.
Speed also influences the potential severity of a collision. The force of an impact in a car accident grows exponentially as speed increases. The higher the speed, the worse the damage and the higher the degree of victims’ trauma and injuries. High-speed crashes often result in significant damage to vehicles and severe or even fatal injuries to vehicle occupants.
Legal Implications of Speed in Car Accidents
The party at fault for causing a car accident typically bears liability for the harm victims suffered. Determining who is at fault for a crash often hinges on whether and to what extent each driver breached their duty of care to others on the road. In most jurisdictions, exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions is considered a breach of that duty.
Accordingly, a driver who was speeding at the time of a collision stands a good chance of being held at fault — and thus legally liable — for what happened. In that case, the driver may owe damages to injured victims that include payment for their:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income and job benefits
- Loss of future earnings
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Scarring, disfigurement, or loss of bodily function
If the driver’s speed was excessively reckless, a California court may also order the driver to pay punitive damages to the victims. These damages serve to punish the speeding driver and to deter similar misconduct by others.
How Setareh Law Can Help
In the aftermath of a speed-related car accident, victims and their families need legal representation that is both understanding of their needs and aggressive in advocating for their rights. Setareh Law is that kind of law firm. Our team of highly knowledgeable and experienced attorneys understand the complexities of speed-related accidents. We have a deep knowledge of California traffic laws and a track record of securing compensation for crash victims through negotiated settlements, court judgments, and favorable jury verdicts.
The decision to hire a law firm in the wake of a speed-related car accident can make a significant difference to the victims’ lives. Setareh Law is ready to take up the mantle and fight for the justice that crash victims and their loved ones deserve. With Setareh Law, you not only get a highly skilled legal representative, but also a committed partner in your mission to rebuild your life after a devastating accident.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer at Setareh Law Today
The speed of the vehicles involved in a car accident is a critical factor in determining the damage it causes and who should bear the blame. Speeding drivers will typically face liability for the harm their dangerous behavior causes. But that does not mean securing payment from them will be automatic or straightforward. The most reliable way to obtain money for the harm inflicted by a speed-related car accident is to hire an experienced attorney to handle your claim.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries and losses in a crash caused by a speeding driver in California, Setareh Law wants to help you explore your legal options for pursuing compensation. Our team has years of experience fighting on behalf of car accident victims like you. Contact us online or call us at (310) 659-1826 today for a free case evaluation with a knowledgeable legal professional. We also speak Spanish.
