Speeding is one of the most dangerous driver behaviors. Speed immediately increases your risk of being in an accident for numerous reasons. When high speeds are involved, the injuries caused are often much more severe than those in a low-speed collision. It’s vital to understand the dangers of speeding and the potentially catastrophic consequences.
How Speeding Increases the Risk of Accidents
When driving at high speeds, drivers have significantly less time to react to unexpected situations. Imagine a car traveling along Freeway 67 at 75 mph and another driver suddenly changes lanes in front of it. In such a case, the speeding driver will have milliseconds to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision. Vehicles moving at high speeds also require an increased stopping distance, making sudden stops more difficult, especially on densely packed roads.
At high speeds, there is also an increased risk of losing control of your vehicle. Sudden changes in speed and direction increase the likelihood that a car will spin out of control, especially in rainy weather. When a driver loses control of their vehicle, there is very little they can do to regain control and avoid a collision.
Why High-Speed Accidents Are So Dangerous
We know that high-speed accidents can be catastrophic, but why is that? Firstly, speed is directly linked to the force with which two objects collide. The faster a car is moving, the more severe a collision will be. At high speeds, safety equipment like airbags and seatbelts becomes less effective because a seatbelt cannot properly distribute the force of an impact. Speed leads to higher G-forces, increased risk of broken ribs, and possible ejection from the vehicle.
Secondly, the person inside a speeding vehicle is moving at the same speed as the car. When the car suddenly stops, the person continues to move at that speed until they come into contact with an immovable object. The closest object is typically the steering wheel or dashboard, which can cause severe injuries. For this reason, high-speed accidents are more likely to result in fatalities due to the intensity of the impact on the body.
Contributors to Accidents in Urban Areas
Accidents are more likely to occur in urban areas because these areas have multiple complex intersections. When a driver is speeding and suddenly has to navigate a difficult crossing, they are unlikely to reduce their speed quickly enough to stop in time. Urban areas also have a higher number of pedestrians and cyclists who share the road with vehicles. Non-occupant road users have no protection from external forces, increasing the risk of fatal accidents.
Furthermore, urban areas have more distractions that increase the risk of drivers taking their attention off the road. Other vehicles, billboards, storefronts, and points of interest can momentarily distract drivers. The risk of an accident is significantly increased if a driver loses focus for a mere five seconds. Urban areas in San Diego also have a higher concentration of tourists who are unfamiliar with the area, leading to unexpected driving behaviors.
The Added Dangers of Speeding in Urban Areas
Speeding in urban areas is particularly hazardous because there are numerous other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Depending on the location, there may be a large number of people walking to work, tourists heading to the beautiful San Diego beach, or children walking to school. Speeding at night in an urban area is even more risky because of reduced visibility and an increase in potentially intoxicated drivers and pedestrians.
It is critical to keep your speed within the legal limit to minimize the risk of being involved in an accident. Driving behavior should be modified to suit different situations. On highways, drivers can increase their speed as there are typically more lanes for cars to move freely. In urban areas, however, lowering your speed is critical as the roads are more densely packed.
Injuries That Are More Common in High-Speed Accidents
While all drivers are aware of the risks involved with speeding, it remains one of the leading causes of vehicle collisions. All accidents can cause injuries, but high-speed accidents can have truly horrific consequences. Due to the immense force, the severity of an injury caused by a high-speed accident is significantly increased.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a result of head trauma or penetrating injuries that damage the brain. TBIs have long-term cognitive, behavioral, and physical repercussions that often require ongoing care. TBI victims may experience memory loss and increased aggression, which can completely alter the trajectory of the victim’s life.
Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or total paralysis. Paralysis can have a devastating effect on the victim’s independence, quality of life, and ability to care for themselves. Permanent disabilities not only impact the victim, but they also impact the victim’s loved ones, who become obligatory caretakers.
Ejection injuries are more likely in high-speed accidents because of the immense forces. An ejection injury is caused when a vehicle occupant is violently thrown from the vehicle. The victim is at a significantly higher risk of fatality, complex bone fractures, and limb loss.
Moving Forward After a High-Speed Accident
Should you or a loved one be injured in a high-speed accident in San Diego, HHJ Trial Attorneys can offer expert legal guidance. Pursuing legal action is a critical component of having the financial means to receive quality medical care and long-term care. Your HHJ attorney will handle every aspect of your case from filing your claim to investigating your accident and negotiating with insurance companies. We are here to protect your future.
