When it comes to auto accidents, the deadliest ones usually involve excessive speed. The faster a vehicle travels, the less time the driver has to react to an impending accident. In many cases, speed causes car accidents and makes them deadlier than vehicles driving at relatively safe speeds on Georgia roadways. Speeding also can contribute to more extensive injuries as well as property damage.
Average number of fatal accidents declined
Speeding was a significant factor in 26% of 9,378 traffic fatalities on U.S. roadways in 2018. That was an average of more than 25 fatalities every day among a total of 8,447 fatal traffic accidents. An accident is speeding-related when a driver is ticketed for speeding or while racing, exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions.
Winding roadways add to speeding troubles
When a driver is speeding while traveling along winding roadways, the odds of suffering a deadly accident increase. That is especially true on rainy or rare snowy days. It even can happen when a road crew is doing work and a vehicle traveling too fast creates a potentially deadly situation.
Younger male drivers are most at risk
While traffic accidents can happen to anyone, the demographic most at risk is young male drivers. Male drivers between ages 15 and 24 years of age were likeliest to exceed posted speed limits in 2018 data. About 29% of male drivers in that age range who were involved in fatal accidents in 2018 were speeding. By comparison, less than 18% of female drivers among the same age range and involved in fatal accidents that year were speeding.
When a driver exceeds the speed limit or travels too fast for road conditions and causes an accident, that driver could liable for medical costs and property damage. An attorney experienced in personal injury law may help to affirm victims’ rights.