It is not surprising that speed has a lot to do with the severity of accidents and is a great contributor to fatal car accidents. The higher the speed of a vehicle, the more serious the accident. This formula applies to all types of accidents involving vehicles, whether it is a single-vehicle accident, or one that involves a pedestrian, biker or other vehicles.
Vehicle Speed and the Pedestrian
It is pretty obvious when a pedestrian is involved that the speed of the vehicle has a lot to do with determining the severity of the pedestrian’s injuries. The odds of a pedestrian being killed by a motorist traveling at 20 mph or slower are very low. In fact, there is a 5% chance that a fatal accident could be caused at this speed.
The chances for fatality greatly increase with only a 10 mph increase in speed. At 35 mph, a pedestrian has a 45% chance of being killed. At 60 mph, it is pretty certain that a pedestrian will not survive.
Increased Speed Leads to Fatal Car Accidents
Collisions between cars also have dire consequences as the speed increases. When a car is going slowly, the risk of serious injury is about 1%. At 50 mph, the risk increases to 69% for injury and the risk for serious injury increases to 52%. A fatal car accident is practically inevitable at speeds of 70 mph or more.
Speeding makes it more difficult for the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. At faster speeds it becomes more challenging to maneuver around corners or avoid objects in the road. The vehicle also requires more distance to stop at higher speeds. The reaction time is also reduced when a driver is faced with a dangerous situation.
Take It Easy
Speeding may cause a fatal car accident if the driver should lose control or not be able to stop in time if an emergency arises. It is equally important not to drive too slowly on freeways as this can set up circumstances for an accident due to uneven traffic flow.
There are many reasons why people feel the need to speed. Being late for an engagement, not paying attention to the speed limit, and aggressive behavior are a few of the reasons. The speeding driver may not feel that he or she is vulnerable to the consequences of speeding. Unfortunately, such a person is putting the lives of others and their own life on the line.
Michael Gasparian and the attorneys at Maison Law are experienced personal injury lawyers proudly serving the Central Valley area. Our main office is located in Visalia, CA, and we invite you to contact us for a consultation to discuss your personal injury case.
