The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cites speeding as one of the risky driving behaviors that may cause serious accidents. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries following a collision caused by speeding drivers, you may be dealing with serious impairments and various out-of-pocket expenses.
Chicago motorists who take unreasonable, unsafe actions could be held accountable for their aggressive driving through an insurance claim or lawsuit. A Chicago car accident caused by excessive speeding lawyer will manage your case and help you secure compensation. Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC today for a free case review.
Drivers speed limits are not posted in an arbitrary fashion. However, according to information in the Chicago Tribune, only one out of every 20 drivers obeys posted speed limits on major highways. By not following the speed limit, aggressive drivers put themselves, other motorists, and pedestrians at risk of suffering serious injury or even fatal crashes.
Many drivers who violate posted speed limits, especially at an excessive rate, may be directly responsible for any consequences that arise from a high speed crash. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that, in 2018, 9,378 traffic fatalities occurred because of motor vehicle accidents caused by a speed related crash. Disobeying the speed limit also accounted for 26% of all fatal accidents.
Driving too fast causes a motorist to lose control which causes accidents. If you are hit by a driver disobeying the speed limit, get help from an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer. Reckless and aggressive driving occurs when someone drives in such a way that it shows they do not care about the lives of themselves, other drivers, or pedestrians. The driver may be rushing to work, showing off their new car, or trying to get home so they can sleep.
Regardless of the reason for the excessive speeding, this reckless driving behavior is dangerous and can cause more serious injuries. When the worst happens and they cause harm to another driver, their passengers or a pedestrian, they must be held accountable for their negligence. Having a trusted car accident attorney on your side can help ensure you are compensated for your losses and serious injuries when you have been hit by a speeding driver.
Possible Speeding Outcomes
There are several possible outcomes that may come from driving beyond the speed limit, including:
A Motorist Being Unable to Stop
When a driver speeds, the vehicle will quickly approach other vehicles. This may present a high number of potential interactions and obstacles on a roadway. If other vehicles brake, there is no passing lane, or an unexpected hazard presents itself, then a speeding motorist may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision even when they slam on the brakes. Driving at the appropriate speed allows for increased stopping distance so you have the opportunity to stop in time.
A Motorist Has Less Time to React
When a motorist is driving excessively fast, they have much less time to react to changes in traffic, unexpected hazards, or environmental factors. When driving fast, drivers have a much shorter window to stop safely because of their excessive speed making a potential danger approach more quickly, potentially putting other drivers in danger of a crash.
A Motorist’s Control Oversteered or Lessened
Speeding makes it more difficult for a motorist to steer their vehicle. This is because low friction surfaces, such as gravel, may cause vehicles to skid when they are steered too quickly. Speeding or racing vehicles sometimes lose traction and skid because of the tires spinning without friction. Slower speeds keep a motorist’s tires on pavement, which provides more control for steering and stopping.
A Motorist Losing Control of Their Vehicle
When you are obeying the speed limit, you may feel in complete control of your vehicle’s movements. In the event of a sudden hazard, you may be able to stop on a time without consequence. However, if you have ever driven at higher speeds, you may notice the steering wheel jittering or the wind whipping against the car’s exterior. By speeding, you surrender control over your vehicle.
Driving at high speeds may reduce your margin of error and increase your risk of losing control behind the wheel of your car.
A Motorist Not Seeing a Certain Hazard
When people speed, it may make it more difficult to see and react to certain hazards on a roadway, posing the risk of a collision. This can be especially true when driving in bad weather. If a motorist is speeding, then they may be responsible for any accident that they are involved in.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by speeding, then you may be able to recover compensation for your losses. The crash severity could be much higher in accidents involving higher speeds. Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC today for a free consultation about hiring a Chicago car accident caused by speeding lawyer.
According to the ABA, a lawyer that you hire to work on your accident-related claim or lawsuit may:
Render services on a contingency-fee basis
Only request their attorney’s fees if they successfully resolve your case
Not accept any upfront or out-of-pocket payments for their help
These conditions could mean that there is little to no risk in you hiring a lawyer. At The Kryder Law Group, LLC, our personal injury team also works on a contingency-fee basis. We are determined to see your case through to completion. When you contract our help, you may be able to get legal representation at no out-of-pocket cost to you or your family. You can call us today to get started.
How a Chicago Car Accident Caused by Speeding Lawyer Can Help You
Your lawyer may provide many helpful services to promote your legal goals.
Some of them may include:
Recording your firsthand account of the accident
Speaking with you about legal strategies for pursuing compensation
Calculating the cost of your damages
Your lawyer’s course of action may depend on whether you are filing an insurance claim or lawsuit. For instance, if you are filing a claim, then your lawyer may file the claim, conduct communications with insurance representatives, and ultimately negotiate a pre-trial settlement.
However, if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit, then your lawyer may:
Gather Evidence
Your lawyer and their team may conduct an investigation into the cause of your accident. They can evaluate the extent of your vehicle’s damage, document your losses, and use all relevant forms of evidence to support your case.
Interview Witnesses
Your lawyer may secure witness testimony to attest to the various circumstances of the crash. This may include the police report. Your legal team may also interview or re-interview people who witnessed your accident or saw a speeding vehicle before your accident occurred. Such testimony may support the case that a speeding motorist is to blame for your losses.
Calculate Your Expenses
A motor vehicle accident may produce both economic and non-economic damages. Your lawyer can use your employment records and health care bills to determine the cost of your lost income and medical expenses. They can also assess the cost of your vehicle’s damage and other associated losses.
Complete All of Your Lawsuit-Related Needs
From filing your lawsuit to negotiating a settlement with the defendant’s attorneys, a lawyer will manage all of the aspects involved in filing a lawsuit. Chicagoans typically have two years from the date of a collision to file a lawsuit, per 735 ILCS 5/13-202.
Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC Today
A Chicago car accident from The Kryder Law Group, LLC can defend your rights and handle all facets of your case when you’ve been hit and injured by a speeding driver. We offer a free, no-obligation case review when you get in touch with our legal team.
Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC today to discuss your case with no obligation. It’s free.
What to Expect from a Free Consultation with a Car Accident Lawyer
When you call The Kryder Law Group for a free consultation, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury attorney. They will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your case when you have been injured by a car traveling at excessive speed, advise you on your legal options, and answer any questions you may have. In this call you can discuss:
Insurance Policies – Determine what insurance may be available to you.
How to Build Your Case – Discuss what records, photos and other documentation are available to build a legal case against the speeding driver who caused your accident.
What to Say or Not Say to the Insurance Companies – Your lawyer will handle negotiations with the insurances companies and let you know what steps you can take to maximize the value of your case.
Speeding is a traffic offense, yet it can create extremely dangerous situations. In Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, speeding cars account for all types of accidents, from fender benders to serious head-on collisions that cause life-altering injuries. When vehicles reach higher speeds, they have a greater potential to be a contributing factor to dangers for all road users.
Talk to an experienced speeding car accident lawyer at The Kryder Law Group today to learn more about your legal options, as you might be entitled to compensation for your serious injuries.
Call now for a free consultation to find out what your case might be worth.
(312) 223-1700 