Speeding is a leading cause of car accidents in California. Statistics show over 2,700 fatal crashes and nearly 285,000 injury collisions occurred due to unsafe speed over a five-year period in The Golden State. In just one year, around 700 fatal and injury speed-related crashes occurred in Sacramento alone.
Sacramento speeding accidents are preventable. When they happen, the driver responsible can be held legally accountable for any harm they cause. If you suffered injuries in a crash due to speeding, an experienced car accident attorney from Demas Law Group can help you pursue the money you deserve.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Speeding Accident in Sacramento
After a car crash, you may wonder whether hiring a speeding accident lawyer is right for you. You may consider handling the case yourself or accepting the insurance company’s initial settlement offer to get paid quickly and with minimal hassle. Both of these choices could work against you in the long run.
Working with a Sacramento car accident lawyer can help you avoid common pitfalls that accident victims encounter when pursuing their cases alone. A proven lawyer with extensive experience handling California car accident claims can take care of the entire process for you, from investigating the collision and gathering evidence to placing a fair value on your case and fighting for maximum compensation.
At Demas Law Group, our car accident attorneys have over 25 years of experience successfully representing injured people in Sacramento and the surrounding areas. We have secured record-breaking verdicts and settlements for car accident victims, including $9.75 million for the parents of an infant killed in a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 80.
While past results cannot guarantee future outcomes, there’s one thing you can count on when you choose Demas Law Group — unflagging legal support from a team of trusted trial lawyers. Reach out today for your free case evaluation.
Why Is Speeding So Dangerous?
Under California law, the maximum speed limit on a multi-lane highway is 65 miles per hour, while a two-lane undivided roadway has a maximum speed limit of 55 miles per hour. Exceeding posted speed limits is one of the riskiest behaviors a driver can engage in.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), speed factored into approximately 29 percent of all U.S. traffic fatalities in one recent year. Speeding decreases a driver’s reaction time when traffic conditions change and reduces the effectiveness of car safety features to protect vehicle occupants in a crash.
The laws of physics also play a role. The faster a car goes, the greater force it imparts in a collision. People involved in speed-related motor vehicle accidents are more likely to die or suffer severe injuries.
Common Types of Speeding Crashes
Speeding can result in various types of collisions, each of which poses unique dangers to motorists:
- Rear-end collisions – Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time, making rear-end collisions more likely if the car in front slows down or stops unexpectedly.
- T-bone collisions – Speeding through intersections can cause T-bone collisions, in which one car strikes the side of another. These wrecks often happen when speeding drivers run red lights or fail to yield, putting crossing vehicles at risk.
- Head-on collisions – Speeding increases the risk of veering out of the correct lane, especially on curves or two-lane roads. Head-on collisions at high speeds are often fatal due to the combined forces of both vehicles.
- Rollovers – High speeds make it harder to control vehicles on sharp turns or during sudden maneuvers.
- Multi-vehicle pileups – When a speeding car crashes into another, the violence of impact can propel the struck vehicle into the ones ahead, resulting in dangerous chain-reaction crashes.
To recover compensation in a speed-related auto accident, a victim must prove that the other driver’s negligence led to the crash and their injuries. An experienced car accident lawyer can collect the evidence necessary to determine liability and pursue compensation from the responsible party.
Types of Speeding Accident Injuries
After a speeding car accident in Sacramento, victims sustain injuries ranging from relatively minor bumps and bruises to more catastrophic injuries, including:
- Whiplash – Sudden force from high-speed collisions causes the neck to snap back and forth, leading to soft tissue injuries in the neck and shoulders.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – Speeding may cause concussions or traumatic brain injuries if the head hits the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows.
- Spinal cord injuries – High-impact crashes can damage or sever the spinal cord, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis.
- Broken bones – The intense force from a speeding accident can cause fractures all over the body and may require surgery to repair.
- Internal bleeding – Blunt force trauma in high-speed crashes can cause organ damage and internal bleeding, which may be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
- Lacerations and bruising – Shattered glass, debris, or airbag deployment can lead to deep cuts and severe bruising on exposed skin.
What Compensation Could I Receive After Filing a Speeding Accident Claim?
As a victim filing a claim for a speeding accident, you may be entitled to compensation for a variety of expenses and losses, including:
- Past, ongoing, and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Rehabilitation, like physical therapy
- Home health care and nursing assistance
- Housekeeping and childcare services
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
Most car accident cases are resolved through settlements with the at-fault drivers’ insurance companies. However, if an insurer refuses to make a fair offer, your attorney may recommend filing a car accident lawsuit to pursue a better result.
What Should I Do After a Speed-Related Accident?
The actions you take after a speeding accident can have a significant effect on your ability to recover the compensation you deserve. After an accident, be sure to:
- Call 911 – This will bring law enforcement and medical personnel to the accident scene. The police report will be key evidence in your personal injury claim. Avoid saying anything to the police that could jeopardize your case, like speculating who was at fault.
- Exchange information – If you can, get the other driver’s contact and insurance information, which will be necessary for filing a car accident claim.
- Contact your insurance company – Contact your auto insurer to report the car crash as soon as possible. Stick to the basic facts, and don’t assign or accept responsibility. Anything you say can be used against you during settlement negotiations.
- Consult a Sacramento speeding accident attorney – Reach out to a lawyer to discuss your legal rights and options for recovering compensation. Your attorney can manage communications with insurers and protect your rights throughout the legal process.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Review
Demas Law Group has a quarter-century of experience representing injured Sacramento residents. If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a speed-related crash, reach out today to speak with a Sacramento car accident attorney. Our lawyers know what it takes to build a compelling car accident claim and will fight for maximum compensation for your losses. Call or contact us now for your free consultation.
