Speeding is one of the most serious hazards on America’s roads. In fact, it’s implicated in up to a quarter of all fatal car accidents across the country. Drivers in Florida should know why this is true and what they can do to reduce the risk of being in a collision themselves.
Why drivers speed
Most drivers speed, and there are a number of reasons for this. Some drivers speed because they love the feeling of going fast. Others are running late and trying to get somewhere on time. Some are on the highway in traffic, and they’re just trying to keep up with everyone else. Research shows that up to two-thirds of American drivers speed during any given year.
The effects of speeding
Speeding has serious impacts when it comes to car accidents. The faster a car is driving, the more distance is required to stop it. Speeding makes it more likely that one car will rear-end another. Speeding also increases the impact of collisions because force is equal to mass times acceleration. That means a car that’s speeding is going to hit anything in its path with much more force. Cars are heavy objects, so when a car hits another vehicle or a stationary object and it’s speeding, there can be very serious injuries.
If you’re involved in a car accident where speeding is a factor, there are two things you should do. First, make sure to get checked out medically, even if you feel fine. Secondly, you may want to contact an attorney. Insurance company lawyers don’t represent you, so you may want an advocate of your own to help you negotiate for compensation.