Pennsylvania In Top Four States for Speeding-Related Traffic Deaths
According to new information released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding-related traffic fatalities increased by three percent from 2014 to 2015. During 2015, 9,557 people lost their lives in speed-related traffic accidents. In Pennsylvania, almost one-half of all traffic fatalities resulted from accidents involving speeding.
During 2015, 540 people lost their lives on Pennsylvania roads in speeding-related traffic accidents. This was the fourth highest number of deaths from speeding accidents in the United States (only Texas, California, and North Carolina had more deaths than Pennsylvania). When looking at the percentage of traffic deaths related to speeding accidents, Pennsylvania ranked second in the country with 45 percent of traffic fatalities being related to speed.
Speeding is the third leading contributing factor in automobile crashes in the United States. If you have been injured in an accident involving a speeding driving, you have rights. Call (800) 401-2066 for a free consultation with an Erie accident attorney.
Speeding Increases Risk of Traumatic Injuries in Car Accidents
In addition to increasing the risk of being in a car accident, speeding can increase the risk for serious and traumatic injuries in a car accident. The speed of a vehicle is directly related to the severity of the impact and the damages caused by the impact.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), high-speed crashes subject vehicles to forces that can prevent the vehicle structure from maintaining a survival space within the occupant compartment. Furthermore, the safety restraints cannot prevent the force of the impact on the occupant from reaching or exceeding severe injury levels.
Common injuries sustained in speed-related accidents include:
- Severe head injuries including traumatic brain injury (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries that can result in partial or total paralysis
- Amputations
- Severe burns
- Complex fractures and broken bones
- Damage to internal organs
- Neck and back injuries
Any one of these injuries can be life-threatening or result in permanent disabilities. For those who survive a high-speed accident, the injuries sustained can change their lives forever. Some victims may require life-long medical and personal care that can cost millions of dollars over their lifetime.
Holding a Driver Accountable for Speeding
Pennsylvania has severe penalties for speeding, especially when excessive speed results in a fatal accident. In addition to criminal penalties, a person guilty of speeding faces increased insurance premiums. However, the penalties for speeding don’t deter everyone. People speed for a variety of reasons. They are in a hurry, they don’t feel as if the law should apply to them, or they don’t believe there is a danger in exceeding the posted speed limit. Whatever the reason, a person should be held accountable for any damages caused by a speed-related accident.
By filing a car accident claim or lawsuit, you can recover compensation from the driver who caused the accident. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, your injuries, and your recovery. In addition, you may also be entitled to receive compensation for your pain and suffering damages (i.e. physical pain, mental anguish, scarring, permanent disability, and emotional stress).
However, the insurance company for the other driver may fight your claim and try to say that you were partially or fully responsible for the crash. Our Erie car accident attorneys understand how to fight insurance companies so that you can receive a fair and just settlement for your claim. We fight for justice in a system that can sometimes be unfair to accident victims.
Call for a Free Appointment
Call our office for a free case evaluation with an Erie car accident attorney. You can reach The Travis Law Firm by calling (800) 401-2066 to schedule your free legal consultation with one of our attorneys.