Brooklyn Speeding Accident Lawyers
Collective disregard for the posted speed limit is a serious problem throughout the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), law enforcement issues over 30 million speeding tickets yearly.
Speeding is not only one of the most common driving infractions – it is also one of the most dangerous. Excessive speeding reduces reaction time and stopping distance to avoid a car accident and reduces the effectiveness of road safety structures, such as guardrails, concrete barriers, and median dividers designed to protect vehicle occupants during crashes.
The National Safety Council reports that speeding is a factor in 29 percent of all fatal traffic accidents nationwide. In 2021, over 12,000 individuals were killed in car crashes due to speed – roughly 33 people per day.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Speeding?
There are two forms of speeding – driving over the posted limit and driving “too fast for conditions.” Weather conditions, such as fog, snow, rain, and ice, can cause slick roads and low visibility, which pose serious accident risks for motorists. During adverse weather conditions, drivers are required to lower their speed or refrain from driving. Motorists who drive too quickly in these conditions can cause serious accidents and be held liable if their reckless behavior results in an accident. Other common causes of speeding include:
- Drivers who believe that they are alone on the road.
- Motorists rushing to get to destinations by specific times.
- Drivers who feel the rules and regulations do not apply to them.
- Social pressure to “keep up with” speeding traffic.
- Inattentive drivers who do not realize they are speeding.
- Thrill-seeking drivers who consider speeding fun.
- Drivers who choose to speed risk dangerous accidents and life-altering injuries to all surrounding motorists.
What Injuries Are Common in Speeding Accidents?
High speeds increase the force of impact, and high-speed car accidents typically result in some of the most life-threatening injuries. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Amputations
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Burns
- Death
- Disfigurement
- Facial and eye injuries
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage
- Paralysis
- Psychological trauma
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
How Can I Prove the Other Driver Was Speeding?
Proving that the other driver was speeding at the time of the accident is typically not overly difficult. There are several ways of establishing speed, such as:
- Witnesses: Eyewitness statements demonstrate that the driver traveled much faster than others.
- Video footage: Surveillance footage from dash cams, nearby business security cameras, and traffic light cameras can easily show that the driver was traveling at greater speeds than others.
- Physical evidence: Physical aspects at the accident scene, such as skid marks showing how long it took a vehicle to stop or how far along the road debris scattered, can establish speed.
- Police report: Officers typically note indications that drivers were speeding and caused the accident.
What Compensation Can I Seek for My Injuries?
The damages you may recover depend on the severity of the accident and your injuries. In speeding accidents, compensation is based on economic, non-economic, and sometimes punitive damages. Economic damages refer to the fixed financial expenses related to the accident and your injuries, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages refer to losses with no correlating dollar amount, such as pain and suffering and loss of life enjoyment.
Speeding is typically an intentional act, and you may be eligible to recover punitive damages meant to punish the at-fault driver for their reckless behavior. Punitive damages are a type of deterrent to prevent the driver from engaging in the same actions in the future.
Does New York Have a Statute of Limitations on Filing a Claim?
In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is three years from the accident date or two years from the date of death.
What Should I Do if I am Injured in a Car Accident?
Your actions to gather information and evidence following an accident can be significant when establishing an accident and injury claim. If you are physically able, you should do the following:
- Call the police to report the accident and any injuries.
- Photograph the scene, including the damage to both cars, injuries, road conditions, signage, lighting, and other contributing factors.
- Ask witnesses for their contact information and a statement if they are willing.
- Report the accident to the insurance company.
- Always seek medical attention, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Some internal injuries have delayed symptoms but can be life-threatening if left untreated. The medical report is also crucial to your claim; without one, your claim can be denied.
- Maintain all records and correspondence you receive related to your claim.
- Hire an experienced speeding accident lawyer with a successful track record of securing settlements for injured clients.
How Can Rubenstein & Rynecki Help Me?
Hiring an experienced Brooklyn speeding accident lawyer can alleviate the burden of pursuing your claim and arguing with insurance companies, allowing you the time to focus on your recovery. Our Brooklyn speeding accident lawyers will protect your best interests and legal rights. Our lawyers can do the following:
- Investigate the accident scene and review police reports.
- Gather witness statements.
- File required documents with the court.
- Establish your current and future medical needs.
- Negotiate a settlement with insurance companies.
- Hire experts, if necessary.
- Represent you in court should the case proceed to trial.
Our Brooklyn Speeding Accident Lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki Help Injured Clients Seek Justice Against Reckless High-Speed Drivers
The force of impact generated during high-speed car accidents often results in severe injuries. If you have been injured in an accident with a speeding driver, our Brooklyn speeding accident lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki can help. Call today at 718-522-1020 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Brooklyn, we serve clients throughout New York City, including The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
