Speeding Car Accident

Driving at excessive speeds is one of the most common causes of car accidents in North Carolina and throughout the United States. Driving at an excessive speed makes it difficult for the driver to stop the vehicle when required for the prevention of an automobile collision. It takes drivers more distance on the road to bring their vehicle to a complete stop. Drivers who choose to speed are engaging in negligent and possibly reckless behavior. When their behavior causes a car accident that results in injuries, injured parties have a right to sue them for compensation.

Many drivers do not realize how dangerous speeding is in terms of causing car accidents. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury caused by a driver who was speeding, you may be entitled to legal compensation. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC we fight hard for our clients to obtain a favorable amount of compensation.

We understand how frustrating it is to file claims with insurance companies and weigh legal options while recovering from their injuries. That is why we assertively represent the best interests of our clients. We hold drivers who choose to speed responsible for their actions. Contact our Charlotte personal injury law firm today to schedule your free initial consultation.

Driving at an excessive speed is illegal under North Carolina law. North Carolina drivers will receive a ticket for driving faster than the posted speed limit. Driving over 80 miles per hour or 14 miles per hour over the posted speed limit is a Class 3 misdemeanor in North Carolina. Other lesser-known speeding-related offenses include the following:

• Speeding while in a work zone comes with a $250 fine for those convicted
• Speeding during a school zone comes with a $250 fine and insurance points

Engaging in a speed competition is also known as unlawful racing. Drivers who engaged in a speed competition that is pre-arranged is a class 1 misdemeanor. Penalties include a driver’s license suspension for three-years and possible impoundment of your motor vehicle. Engaging in a spontaneous unlawful race is a class 2 misdemeanor. Those convicted of a non-prearranged driving competition face a one-year suspension of their driver’s license.

Drivers convicted of reckless driving in North Carolina face penalties of up to 90 days in jail and fines of up to $1,000. They also face a driver's license suspension. North Carolina law defines reckless criminal driving as driving heedlessly and carelessly in disregard of the safety of others. The definition also includes driving at a speed or in a manner that may endanger other people. Drivers convicted of speeding-related offenses in North Carolina face fines, court costs, jail time, and a permanent criminal record.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that one-third of all motor vehicle-related fatalities are caused by speeding-related car accidents. In rural areas, 33% of car accident fatalities occurred in car accidents involving speeding. Speeding-related accidents are more common at night. The NHTSA reports that in urban areas, two-thirds of fatalities related to speeding accidents occurred at nighttime.

According to the NHTSA, the economic costs of car accidents caused by speeding cost approximately 40 billion dollars. The agency considers a motor vehicle accident to be speeding-related when one of the following conditions occurs:

• Law enforcement officers charged a driver with a speeding-related offense
• A law enforcement official indicated that the driver was driving too fast for conditions, using excessive speed, or engaging in racing and that one of these factors contributed to the car accident.

When a driver engages in excessive speed, it reduces his or her ability to steer around objects or curves safely. Speeding also extends the distance needed to stop a vehicle safely which can lead to unintended impacts with other vehicles or objects leading to injury or death. Finally, speeding makes it more difficult, if not impossible, to respond to dangerous road conditions such as wet pavement, fallen debris, slower moving vehicles entering the lane of travel etc.. If you have suffered an injury caused by a driver using excessive speed, you may be entitled to the following types of compensation:

• Medical expenses
• Past and future loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today to discuss how our skilled personal injury attorneys can help you.