At the Hollingsworth Law Firm, our Houston car accident attorneys know that speed is the leading cause of vehicle collisions in Texas.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), a 16% increase in speed-related crashes on Texas roads last year was responsible for one in three traffic fatalities.
Speeding was a factor in more than 163,000 car accidents that resulted in 1,532 fatalities and 6,493 serious injuries. Tragically, the vehicle collisions involving speed last year — and every year from now on — could be prevented.
Here, we discuss why speeding significantly affects car accidents, injuries, and fatalities throughout Texas.
Speeding Increases the Severity of Injuries During Texas Car Accidents
While fatal speeding numbers speak for themselves, those who survive collisions caused by negligent, speeding drivers often suffer significant injuries that could have also been prevented.
Here’s why:
- Reduced Reaction Time
Speeding reduces the time a driver has to react to a potential hazard or to apply the brakes. This means that at higher speeds, a driver has less time to perceive danger, decide on a course of action, and execute that action. Reduced reaction time can result in more severe collisions.
- Increased Stopping Distance
Higher speeds lead to increased stopping distances. If a driver needs to stop suddenly, in an emergency, the vehicle will travel a greater distance before coming to a complete stop. This can result in more severe collisions with other vehicles, objects, or pedestrians.
- Increased Impact Force
The force of a collision is directly related to the speed at which the vehicles involved are traveling. The higher the speed, the greater the impact force. Even a small increase in speed can lead to a significant increase in impact force.
- Impact Severity and Vehicle Damage
The severity of vehicle damage is often directly related to the speed of the collision. Higher-speed collisions tend to cause more extensive damage to vehicles, and this increased severity of impact is transferred to the occupants, resulting in more severe injuries.
- Reduced Effectiveness of Safety Features
Vehicles are equipped with safety features like airbags, crumple zones, and seat belts to mitigate the effects of a collision. However, these safety features are most effective within specific speed ranges. At higher speeds, the ability of safety features to protect occupants may be compromised.
- Increased Likelihood of Rollovers
Speeding increases the risk of losing vehicle control, leading to rollover accidents. Rollover accidents are often associated with more severe injuries due to the higher forces and the potential for ejection from the vehicle.
Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys in Houston for Help
Slowing down can significantly reduce the risk and severity of injuries in a car accident. If you or someone you love has been injured or lost their life in a vehicle collision caused by a speeding driver in Texas, contact our dedicated Houston car accident lawyers at the Hollingsworth Law Firm today by calling (713)-637-4560 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
Our skilled bilingual personal injury lawyers and support staff represent clients throughout Texas on a contingency basis, so you never pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
If you are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve, so are we. Let us take the lead.
