What is an Accident Reconstructionist in a Car Accident Case?
When you hire a car accident lawyer, part of your attorney’s job is to investigate the [&hellip…
Speeding Car Accident Attorney in Jacksonville
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Speeding is common, but it’s also one of the most dangerous things a driver can do on the road.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that in the most recent year reported, speeding killed 11,775 people in the United States. During that same year, the state of Florida saw 16,236 speeding-related crashes. Those collisions led to 169 deaths, 461 incapacitating injuries, and at least 1,756 other injuries. There are also thousands of speed-related crashes with insufficient data to know how many people may have been injured or how seriously.
The state of Florida, like other states, sets speed limits to keep drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and even property on and along the road safe. When a driver operates a vehicle unsafely, they are typically responsible for any damages they cause. If you’ve been injured by a speeding driver or have lost a loved one to a speed-related crash, you may be entitled to compensation.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?
When you hire an auto accident lawyer at Harrell & Harrell, we’ll take over communications with the insurance company and provide the buffer you need to avoid costly mistakes. Your car crash lawyer will also take responsibility for the technical and procedural aspects of your case, such as the required exchange of information with the other party and meeting court deadlines.
We will also investigate your case, collect evidence, explain what you can expect as the case moves forward, and negotiate with the insurance company’s lawyers. And, we’ll advise you on the steps you need to take to protect your claim while we move your case forward. Depending on your case, we may also take depositions, hire and work with expert witnesses and — if it’s in your best interest — prepare and argue your case to a Florida jury.
To learn more about how we can help, schedule a free consultation with an auto accident lawyer at Harrell & Harrell right now. Just call (904) 251-1111 to get started.
The Dangers of Speeding in Car Accidents
Speeding presents a unique danger on the road because it creates two separate hazards:
- Speeding makes a car accident more likely
- Speeding increases the likelihood of serious injury or death in a car accident
Why Does Speeding Make a Collision More Likely?
Speeding increases the risk of a car crash for multiple reasons. For example:
- At higher speeds, a vehicle is more difficult to control, meaning that a driver may have more difficulty maneuvering around an obstacle in the road, adapting if another vehicle acts unpredictably, or just maintaining control on a curve
- At higher speeds, a driver has less time to take evasive action if another driver cuts into their lane or brakes suddenly, or if a pedestrian enters the roadway, a bicyclist wobbles, or there is unexpected debris in the road
- Higher speeds mean higher impact when the vehicles meet, or a vehicle meets a fixed object–that can mean more serious injuries and a higher likelihood of death
Who is Liable in a Speeding Accident?
In Florida, someone who was speeding when they were involved in a car accident is nearly always found to be at least partly responsible. That’s because speeding violates a law intended to protect people and property from car accidents. And the state of Florida recognizes a legal doctrine called negligence per se.
In simple terms, the negligence per se doctrine says that if you violate a safety law and someone the law was intended to protect gets hurt as a result, you are presumed to have been negligent. This doctrine can make it easier to prove that a speeding driver was negligent, and therefore liable for an accident.
It’s important to note, though, that more than one party may be responsible for a crash. Imagine, for example, that two vehicles collide at an intersection. One of the drivers was traveling at 15 mph above the speed limit, but had the right of way. The other was traveling at a safe speed, but had failed to yield the right of way to the speeding driver. In that situation, each driver might be partly responsible.
How to Prove the Other Driver Was Speeding
If the other driver was ticketed for speeding and paid the ticket, or was found culpable for speeding in traffic court, the admission of conviction may be introduced as evidence of speeding. Otherwise, your car accident lawyer will need to provide other evidence of speeding, such as video footage, witness testimony, or the use of an expert witness.
What Happens if the Injured Person is Partly Responsible?
Under Florida law, a person who is partly responsible for their own injuries may still be able to recover compensation. However, there are limitations.
A person who shares responsibility for a crash can recover damages only if they were not more than 50% responsible. Even then, the damages they can recover are decreased in proportion to their fault.
Here’s how that plays out for a car accident victim:
- If a car accident victim suffers $100,000 in injuries and is found to be 0% at fault for the accident, they may recover up to the full $100,000.
- If a car accident victim suffers $100,000 in injuries and is found to be 40% at fault, they can still recover damages. However, they will only be able to recover up to $60,000, since the $100,000 is reduced by 40% to account for their fault.
- If a car accident victim suffers $100,000 in injuries and is found to be 51% at fault, they cannot recover damages.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Car Accident Case?
The compensation available in a car accident case depends on a variety of factors, including how seriously you were injured and whether you were partly at fault. Some common types of damages awarded in speeding accident cases include:
- Medical bills, including anticipated future medical costs due to the accident
- Lost income, including projected future losses
- Pain and suffering
Your car accident lawyer can’t tell you exactly how much your claim is worth. However, an experienced car accident attorney will be able to tell you what types of damages may be available in your case, and how similar cases have been resolved in the past.
Other Common Types of Car Accident Cases
Get the Help You Need Today
The sooner you speak with an experienced injury lawyer, the better. To schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a seasoned Harrell & Harrell attorney, call (904) 251-1111 or fill out our contact form.
DON’T SETTLE FOR LESS THAN YOU DESERVE.®
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I had an auto accident but did not believe there was going to be a positive outcome, as the opposing insurance companies fought the process. However, Lauralee Rodriguez assured me that she would be persistent in the case, if I would be patient. Well, I was patient (as well as doubtful, lol), but SHE DID IT and SHE DID IT WELL!!! I am very satisfied with the service and the outcome of the case. GREAT FIRM!!! Thank you Harrell & Harrell for employing competent staff.
