Why Speeding Drivers Endanger the Lives of Everyone on Our Texas Roadways

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, last year alone, 11,258 people were killed in traffic collisions caused by speeding drivers throughout the U.S. — accounting for 29% of traffic fatalities nationwide.

Unfortunately, speeding has been a factor in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities for the past two decades, making these tragic and preventable deaths all too common across the country, and here in Texas.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 375 people were killed in speeding-related collisions last year, including 179 speeding drivers, 111 non-speeding drivers, 60 passengers, and 25 pedestrians.

These grim statistics prove speeding endangers not only the life of the speeder but everyone on the road around them.

Why is Speeding So Dangerous?

Exceeding the posted speed limit is considered speeding. Unfortunately, nearly every driver in Texas is guilty of breaking this law at some point.

Whether you were running late, passing a slower driver, or just trying to get to where you were going faster, speeding can lead to losing control of your vehicle without notice. This can lead to swerving into oncoming traffic, multi-car pileups, exiting the road, and colliding with fixed objects — like structures, signs, or trees — and overturned vehicles, which may result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities.

In addition, speeding requires a greater distance to stop. This can lead to significant crashes when there are sudden stops in traffic, if a vehicle pulls out in front of you, or if there is an emergency on the road. The faster a driver is going, the greater the impact of the crash, which often translates to a higher injury and fatality rate.

Driving Too Fast for the Conditions or Area Can Also Lead to Catastrophic Injuries & Fatalities Throughout Texas

We have all seen the important signs in residential areas that read, “Drive like your kids live here.” This is an important reminder that speeding through neighborhoods, school zones, construction zones, and intersections can lead to serious injuries to pedestrians — both children and adults alike — who are leaving school, working on the roads, or crossing the street, unaware a speeding driver is right behind them.

In addition, driving too fast for the conditions — including when it rains, or during the occasional Texas ice and snowstorm — crashes can occur by quickly losing control of the vehicle.

High-speed collisions often cause orthopedic trauma, including broken or crushed bones, whiplash, neck and spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.

If you or someone you love has been injured or lost their life because of a speeding driver in Texas, contact our dedicated Houston auto accident and injury 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 the state of 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.