Any car accident can cause personal injury or property damage, but it is the accidents at higher speeds that can be particularly devastating. Driving over the speed limit can easily lead to a loss of control and a car accident, yet countless drivers choose to do so. Some people who are on the unfortunate end of a speeding driver may think it is difficult to prove the other’s recklessness. But with modern technology and an experienced car accident lawyer, that is simply not the case.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 20 percent of car accidents are caused by someone speeding. Approximately 30 percent of car accident fatalities are due to a driver who was speeding. Although federal and state laws are imposing stricter traffic regulations, speeding is still prevalent, even though many drivers are aware of its dangers.
Since speed is such a defining factor in a car accident, proving whether a driver was going over the speed limit may be difficult, but it is not impossible. The following are a few ways to prove a person was speeding in a car accident claim:
- Police reports. One of the first steps following a car accident is to contact the police immediately. Doing so will bring a third party to the scene, who can produce a verified report documenting the accident. In the report, a police officer will lay out the details of the accident, and if one party was speeding, it will likely be in the police report. The police report will also contain important information such as witness accounts and the officer’s own description of what may have occurred. It is also possible that the at-fault driver received a citation or a ticket for speeding, which would be solidifying the proof for an accident claim.
- Witnesses. It may seem difficult to detect the exact speed of a traveling object with the unaided eye, but it is easier if that object is traveling faster than objects in the area. That is why a witness account can prove whether a driver is speeding, especially if the driver was acting recklessly, such as blowing through a stop sign. A car accident lawyer will have access to expert witnesses, such as forensic scientists or accident reconstruction specialists.
- The accident. It may seem difficult to prove a driver was speeding, but the accident itself may be more telling than some would realize. It is essential that immediately following an accident, the parties involved secure photographs of the scene. It is not just the damage to the vehicles or to the passengers that should be photographed. Debris on the road and the distance it had traveled are very telling; most experts would be able to tell the speed something was traveling by judging how far an object was thrown, such as a tire or a bumper. The damage on the vehicles is proof as well; simple physics show that high speeds can cause massive amounts of destruction. Tire skid marks are also important to investigators; the faster a car goes, the further it must travel to come to a stop.
- Modern technology. A good number of modern vehicles are equipped with computers that track the major events of a vehicle’s life. The deployment of an airbag or when a seat belt igniter activates is normally documented on the car’s computer; the date, time, and speed more than likely will be recorded. Some drivers have also invested in onboard dash cameras, which may record the events preceding an accident.
Atlantic City Car Accident Lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm Help Victims Injured by Speeding and Reckless Drivers
A car accident can be traumatizing and stressful, especially when you are injured by the actions of another. Speeding is among the leading causes of car accidents around the world, yet it is still as prevalent on the roads as it once was. If you or a loved one has been injured by a speeding or negligent driver, it is in your best interest to contact the Atlantic City car accident lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm immediately. Our knowledgeable team will build your case and get the compensation you rightfully deserve. Call us today at 609-926-3300 or contact us online for a free consultation. With an office in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, we assist accident victims in Atlantic City, Linwood, Galloway Township, Cape May, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Ocean City, Woodbury, and across South Jersey.