Speeding Car Accident Attorney in Charlotte
According to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, over 25% of all traffic fatalities were related to speeding. Excessive speed or failure to reduce speed also contributed to over 20,000 injuries in 2020 alone. These numbers point to a serious issue within the state, which is reflected in the frequency of personal injury claims that arise from these accidents. Oftentimes, victims of speeding accidents experience life-changing injuries that impact both their physical health and financial well-being alike.
Responding to this, we created a client-centered personal injury law firm to advocate for the rights of victims of speeding car accidents. At Edwards Injury Law, our speeding car accident attorney has the knowledge and skill necessary to secure compensation for individuals who sustained injuries in a car crash. To learn more about how we can help you, consider contacting our Charlotte-based office today.
What Are the Risks Associated with Speeding?
Life is riddled with frustrations and while many of us are juggling busy schedules, there is no excuse for driving over the speed limit. Excessive speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time in dangerous situations and reduces the ability of road safety structures, such as guardrails and other barriers, to protect vehicle occupants. As such, driving over the speed limit poses great danger to other drivers and passengers.
There are a range of risks associated with speeding, which not only endanger the life of the driver, but those around them as well. As a form of aggressive driving, some of the consequences of speeding on roadways include the following:
- Increased potential of losing control of the vehicle
- Decreased effectiveness of vehicle protective equipment
- Greater distance needed to safely bring the vehicle to a stop
- Reduced reaction time when danger is perceived
- Increased likelihood of failing to yield to traffic signals and signs, resulting in accidents
With so many injuries and fatalities occurring due to speeding every year, excessive speed is a serious issue on North Carolina roadways. Moreover, the risks of speeding extend beyond car accidents. Speeding can result in frequent speeding tickets, points on your license, and higher insurance rates. Speed also impacts your safety when you are driving the designated limit, but too quickly for road conditions such as rain or snow. Similarly, driving too fast through construction zones can be considered reckless and lead to accidents or other undue consequences.
What Are North Carolina’s Speeding Laws?
Driving over the speed limit is considered negligent in North Carolina. Chapter 20 of the North Carolina General Statutes sets forth the legal requirements related to speed on roadways in the state. Generally, the law states that a person is prohibited from driving at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions. Specifically, North Carolina’s absolute speed limits are as follows:
- 35 miles per hour inside municipal corporate limits
- 55 miles per hour outside municipal corporate limits, with the exception of school buses
- 70 miles per hour on highways
The consequences of speeding spend on how much the driver surpassed the speed limits of a designated area and the type of vehicle they were driving. For example, a driver operating a commercial motor vehicle carrying a specific load is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor if they drive 15 miles per hour over the speed limit. Typically, the punishment for a speeding violation is a fine, which can range from $15 to $250 dollars.
If speeding caused a car accident, however, the consequences can be severe, including criminal charges. Regardless, North Carolina law does not view speeding as a light issue. Individuals who were injured due to a speeding driver may be entitled to compensation under the law. If you were the victim of a car accident due to speed, an Edwards Injury Law speeding car accident attorney can help you navigate the claims process and secure the compensation you deserve.
How to Determine Speed in an Accident Investigation?
Due to the fact that North Carolina uses contributory negligence to determine fault and liability after a car accident, it is important to understand how the state evaluates speeding in an accident investigation. Fault is assessed using all the evidence available from the crash to piece together what occurred during the accident and who was responsible for the incident. Commonly, the evidence used to determine fault in an accident investigation includes:
- Police reports
- Photographs and videos taken at the scene of the accident
- Testimony from witnesses
- Information gathered by electronic data recorders equipped to any of the vehicles involved in the crash
- Available footage from surveillance cameras
- Vehicle repair documentation
- Medical records detailing the treatment of any injuries sustained due to the accident
Fortunately, in many cases, speeding can be proven by the scene of the accident. Assessing the physical evidence of a crash can be highly beneficial in speeding accident cases. For instance, skid marks on the road and car damage can be very telling of the circumstances of an accident. The length and depth of skid marks can indicate when the driver pushed the brakes and how long it took them to stop their vehicle.
If the driver was speeding, the length of the skid marks will be longer than if the driver was moving at a lower speed. Similarly, the faster that a car is moving, the greater the impact will be. Collision rating can be used to evaluate the level of damage done at the specific speed in which the vehicle was hit. These are all tools that a knowledgeable speeding car accident attorney will use to determine speed and fault in an accident investigation and ensure that the full amount of compensation is awarded.
Securing Compensation with Edwards Injury Law
Car accidents are an all-too-common occurrence in North Carolina, with Charlotte experiencing the vast majority of these crashes. It is impossible to predict how others will drive, and encountering a speeding driver can be disastrous for others on the road. If you or a loved one was a victim of a car accident due to a speeding driver, legal recourse may be available for you.
As a leading black-owned, veteran-owned personal injury law firm in Charlotte, we work with victims of speeding-related accidents to hold negligent drivers accountable and secure fair compensation for our clients. At the center of our practice is genuine care and compassion, and a desire to reinstate normalcy in the lives of victims of car accidents. To learn more about how we can help your personal injury claim, consider contacting our office today.
