A lot of drivers think that going fast is exciting. But there is a big risk that comes with all this excitement. In the US, speeding is one of the main reasons why people get into car crashes, which kill and hurt a lot of people every year. It is not just about breaking the speed limit; even driving too fast for road conditions can lead to disastrous outcomes. This article talks about why speeding is still a major cause of car accidents.
Birmingham, Alabama, is no stranger to the dangers of speeding. According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, speeding is a major cause of many car accidents in the city. If you are involved in an accident due to speeding, talking to Birmingham car accident attorneys can help you understand your legal options and get compensation for your injuries.
Why Speeding Leads to More Serious Accidents
Almost every part of a driver’s ability to keep their car safe is affected by speeding. Here’s how:
- Reduced Reaction Time: When a car is going fast, the driver has less time to respond to sudden changes in traffic or unexpected road dangers. For instance, a person stepping out onto the road or the car in front of you stopping suddenly can be dangerous if you’re going too fast because you might not have time to slow down or steer clear.
- Increased Stopping Distance: It takes longer for a car to stop when it’s going faster. A car going 40 miles per hour (mph) might need about 120 feet to stop safely. At 70 mph, though, that stopping distance drops to about 380 feet, which makes accidents more possible and more often severe.
- Higher Impact Force: When a car accident happens at high speeds, the impact force increases significantly. An accident at 60 mph is a lot worse than one at 30 mph. The extra force can cause terrible injuries because the energy released during the crash is often higher than what safety features like airbags and seat belts are made to handle.
Types of Accidents Caused by Speeding
Several types of dangerous car accidents are linked to speeding. Here are some common examples:
- Rear-End Collisions: This happens when a speeding driver doesn’t stop in time and hits the car in front of them. People in both cars often get neck and back injuries, like whiplash, from the sudden collision.
- T-Bone Accidents: A fast-moving car may not be able to stop at an intersection’s red light or stop sign, crashing into the side of another car. Because there isn’t much protection on the sides of T-bone crashes, a lot of people get hurt badly.
- Head-On Collisions: This can happen when a driver loses control while going too fast and crosses into oncoming traffic. Because both cars were going so fast at the point of contact, this is one of the deadliest types of accidents.
- Rollover Accidents: Going too fast increases the chance of rollovers, especially in SUVs and other vehicles with a high center of gravity. When drivers are going fast, it’s hard for them to change their direction when making sharp turns or swerving to avoid things on the road.
Serious Injuries Caused by Speeding Accidents
People who are hurt in speeding crashes often get serious injuries, many of which can have long-term consequences for victims:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A high-speed crash can cause the brain to hit the inside of the skull, which can cause major damage to the nerves.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Impacts at high speeds can hurt the spinal cord, which can leave a person partially or completely paralyzed.
- Internal Injuries: The force of a crash caused by speeding can hurt organs and cause bleeding inside the body.
- Fractures: A high-speed crash’s strong impact can easily break bones, especially in the arms, legs, and knees.
